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Journal of Asthma, 27(4) 251 (1990) Asthma and Human Excellence - In this issue of the Journal ofAsthma we are featuring Jeanette Bolden, who is one of the top ranked women sprinters in the United States, and a member of the 1984 Olympic Team. The road to the Olympic Gold has been a very long and hard one for this young lady who developed asthma during the early months of her life. As a youngster, Jeanette was unable to participate in normal activity and could not run without becoming short of breath. At approximately 12 years of age she was hospitalized for approximately 9 months at the Sunair Home for Asthmatic Children in order to stabilize her asthma. Following her discharge from that center, Jeanette for the first time was able to participate in sports and began her running career. Jeanette learned that “you can do, and you can be, just like any other child anywhere” and that “it’s O.K. to have asthma.” Her prowess as a sprinter increased through her high school and college years at UCLA. At UCLA she set an N C M record in the 100 meter dash in 1982 and set the world record for the 60 yard dash in 1983. The highlight of her running career came in the 1984 Los Angeles Olym- pic Games where she won a gold medal for the U.S. 4 x 100 relay team. In that same olym- pics she was a fourth place finisher for the 100 meter dash. In addition to her physical activities, Jeanette is active in community affairs and often visits homes and hospitals for children with asthma. She has conducted annual asthma and allergy clinics, the purpose of which is to help motivate youngsters and adults who may suffer from conditions related to asthma and allergy. Jeanette strongly feels that asthma sufferers need to be motivated and instructed on the use of proper exercise, and which exercises they can participate in as an asthmatic. AEter a childhood fraught with severe asthma, Jeanette Bolden has truly learned the meaning of success. Her philosophy that asthmatics “can be like other children” is one that should be transmitted to all youngsters with asthma. She is a true example of an in- dividual who has overcome difficulty to achieve Human Excellence. 251 Copyright 0 1990 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. J Asthma Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by QUT Queensland University of Tech on 11/21/14 For personal use only.

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Page 1: Asthma and Human Excellence

Journal of Asthma, 27(4) 251 (1990)

Asthma and Human Excellence - In this issue of the Journal ofAsthma we

are featuring Jeanette Bolden, who is one of the top ranked women sprinters in the United States, and a member of the 1984 Olympic Team. The road to the Olympic Gold has been a very long and hard one for this young lady who developed asthma during the early months of her life. As a youngster, Jeanette was unable to participate in normal activity and could not run without becoming short of breath. At approximately 12 years of age she was hospitalized for approximately 9 months at the Sunair Home for Asthmatic Children in order to stabilize her asthma. Following her discharge from that center, Jeanette for the first time was able to participate in sports and began her running career. Jeanette learned that “you can do, and you can be, just like any other child anywhere” and that “it’s O.K. to have asthma.” Her prowess as a sprinter increased through her high school and college years at UCLA. At UCLA she set an N C M record in the 100 meter dash in 1982 and set the world record for the 60 yard dash in 1983. The highlight of her running

career came in the 1984 Los Angeles Olym- pic Games where she won a gold medal for the U.S. 4 x 100 relay team. In that same olym- pics she was a fourth place finisher for the 100 meter dash.

In addition to her physical activities, Jeanette is active in community affairs and often visits homes and hospitals for children with asthma. She has conducted annual asthma and allergy clinics, the purpose of which is to help motivate youngsters and adults who may suffer from conditions related to asthma and allergy. Jeanette strongly feels that asthma sufferers need to be motivated and instructed on the use of proper exercise, and which exercises they can participate in as an asthmatic. AEter a childhood fraught with severe

asthma, Jeanette Bolden has truly learned the meaning of success. Her philosophy that asthmatics “can be like other children” is one that should be transmitted to all youngsters with asthma. She is a true example of an in- dividual who has overcome difficulty to achieve Human Excellence.

251 Copyright 0 1990 by Marcel Dekker, Inc.

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