Stories
We all have a reason to fight for clean air. Check out some personal stories below that highlight the need for healthy, safe air, and click here to share your own.
Quality of air is quality of life. We live along the shore of Lake Michigan and enjoy the clean air through the late fall, winter and early spring. During the summer months, local campgrounds enjoy campfires and do not know where their smoke goes (some don't care). Most think it’s a "right" to have campfires. However, it’s not a right to create air pollution. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Rodger , MI
I don't have a personal story in Michigan, although I know of folks who struggle with the bad pollution in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Elodia, MI
I have to literally fight to breathe every day. I am a severe asthmatic that is steroid dependent. When there is anything in the air outside, I am greatly affected by it--pollen, smoke, exhaust, pollution, etc. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Wendell, MN
I am living (over 3 years now!) with Stage IV lung cancer, and I am a non-smoker! There must be some cause that does not involve smoking (or even secondhand smoke), and I want to be breathing GOOD air now as I fight this disease! Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Mary, MO
I am Montana artist. I sell my work at shops, galleries and throughout the region, but much of my livelihood is from art festivals. Every summer I travel to outdoor art fairs around Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Sue, MO
My wife, best friend, and neighbor all have asthma. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Stephen, MO
My father passed away from COPD as a result of an infection acquired during surgery performed in Kolkata, India where the air has a high level of pollution compared to most U.S. cities. The volume of air pollution in India makes post-operative lung infections extremely common for seniors. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Sumon, MS
I have been short-winded all my life but have not had any serious asthma attacks unless my skin allergies and odor allergies are aggravated. By avoiding allergies, I don't have trouble with asthma except in public places where I have no control over my environment. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Mary, MT
I was first diagnosed with asthma at age 16 but didn’t have a major problem until my early 20s when I moved in with friends who had cats. I kept getting sicker and sicker until finally I ended up in the hospital for 10 days. I was sedated and intubated and given massive doses of steroids. Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Nancy, MT
After her most recent hospitalization and coma, Carlene had to tell her three sons what no parent wants to tell their children: that due to her severe asthma, she may not be around for much longer, and that she does not want to be kept on life support. Carlene has been on life support twice due to severe asthma. On bad air quality days, the danger rises and she knows she is at risk of suffering an asthma attack that could land her back in the hospital. The large coal plant in her town doesn't help either. Carlene has participated in advocacy efforts to help shut down the plant, which has affected others in the community as well, but has come to the realization the energy companies "want dollars more than lives." Read more at FightingForAir.org
— Carlene, MT
FACT: Breathing in particle pollution can increase the risk of early death, heart attacks, strokes and emergency room visits for people with asthma, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
