duke of edinburgh awards with teenage asthmatics

hi is there anyone else out there with a teenager with asthma and having problems even finishing the bronze award

my 14 yr old has been having a go at doing her bronze award for duke of edinburgh but on each of the camps has ended up being sent home

she had her final assessment at the weekend over night camp dun 12 km walk first day (after not completeing the practice weekend she was given a day sack and main rucksack taken by car) she completeed the walk/trek completed all the evening activities but ended up coming home at 1.30 am as she was having problems controlling her asthma hence missed the following days trek now they are giving her the chance to do the 2nd day with no camp with another group in september with a day sack thankfully she will finish it in the end

really deep down she would like to go on to do silver award 3 day 2 night camp but now saying she doesn't want to cos she will only end up being sent home

any advice anyone please

karen

btw she and her brother (7) have both got into ardingly kick asthma holiday and both especially oldest looking forward to it think it might be just the boost she needs

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Have Pm'd you.

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awww ty meegan and hopalongkp for yr pm

it will help and i will chat with my daughter and see if she will carry on seems a shame to miss something that she actually likes doing when there could be a way round it

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Hi,

This situation must be really frustrating for your daughter and yourself. I completed the Gold Dof E almost 8yrs ago.I did not have the opportunity to do the bronze or silver. I disscussed my asthma with my coordinater who actively encouraged me to have a go at the award. I was told that the scheme was available to all with or without disabilities and that my asthma would be accomodated. However I don't think they fully understood asthma and how severe it could get. I found taking part difficult as a result of my asthma. It wasn't untill my last practice expedition that they realised how much I was struggling and me saying that I wasn't going to do the actual expedition. The main coordinater for the scheme actually came along with us on the last expedition. I had a good chat with her. She was annoyed that my needs had not been recognised sooner. My group were really supportive and they too did not want to do the actual expedition without me. We were a close group and had been through a lot togrther. We sat down with the coordinater and carefully planned the route so that it was fairly flat. We also planned it so that I wasn't too far from medical help if needed. I spoke with my doctor and made a plan for the expedition. I commenced pred before the expedition and regularly took my reliever throughout the day. We also planned regular breaks, our pace was much slower than would have been expected. The assessor and leader also kept a close eye on our movements so could spot any problems if any occured.

PM me if you have anyother questions

Carolyn

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Hi,

This situation must be really frustrating for your daughter and yourself. I completed the Gold Dof E almost 8yrs ago.I did not have the opportunity to do the bronze or silver. I disscussed my asthma with my coordinater who actively encouraged me to have a go at the award. I was told that the scheme was available to all with or without disabilities and that my asthma would be accomodated. However I don't think they fully understood asthma and how severe it could get. I found taking part difficult as a result of my asthma. It wasn't untill my last practice expedition that they realised how much I was struggling and me saying that I wasn't going to do the actual expedition. The main coordinater for the scheme actually came along with us on the last expedition. I had a good chat with her. She was annoyed that my needs had not been recognised sooner. My group were really supportive and they too did not want to do the actual expedition without me. We were a close group and had been through a lot togrther. We sat down with the coordinater and carefully planned the route so that it was fairly flat. We also planned it so that I wasn't too far from medical help if needed. I spoke with my doctor and made a plan for the expedition. I commenced pred before the expedition and regularly took my reliever throughout the day. We also planned regular breaks, our pace was much slower than would have been expected. The assessor and leader also kept a close eye on our movements so could spot any problems if any occured.

PM me if you have anyother questions

Carolyn

hi carolyn

ty so much yep totally agree they don't under the asthma side of things

yes they have been very good in making sure the group planned there walk by roads if no way near a road or access then throu a farm etc so access was easy enough for them to reach shauna

the assessors were very good as well

but when it came down to dealing with her /asthma no one really has a clue

they even had mobiles with them and techers phoning them if they didn't get to a check point as expected or if the girls had a problem with shauna

she is now considering doing the silver so thats a good thing ty e1

karen

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Hi,

I know what you mean. My group where realy supportive but they did not understand how I felt and couldn't possible as none of them had asthma. I felt alone and was really worried throughout the experience in case I did have an attack, which didn't help matters. Please wish your daughter lukc for me, will be thinking about her.

Carolyn xx

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Hey there, I did my bronze duke of edinburgh with asthma and I struggled. One day a teacher asked me if i was okayI as i was struggling to breathe, he said I could pull out whenever I wanted to. I suggest to anyone doing the expedition ask a teacher if you even need to have a bag, I think it is unfair that people with asthma have to have a massive bag when walking alone is very hard work. I am hoping to do silver, I will see if I can complete it, Please ask a teacher to lower your workload by not having some of the kit ie- tent. God bless xxx

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I did all my D of E awards a really long time ago! I was just wondering is she doing her Expedition with her school? I only ask because I wonder whether the County Organisers for DofE might be better at suggesting adjustments/alternatives. It might be worth phoning/emailing them.

Hope she manages to complete her next expedition, they were definitely my favourite bit!

Bryony

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I've done bronze, silver and gold D of E. I spoke to the asthma nurse and for each expidition I made sure that I increased my preventer beforehand and throughout and took ventolin whenever I needed it. I only really struggled when it was damp from having rained but being me I just dosed up and struggled through (would NOT reccomend!!!)

On gold in Wales my friend and I did find it really difficult to breathe when we were high up with the air being thinner and my lungs being grumpy, it was really horrible (but the views and the whole expidition was amazing!).

Zippi x

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You dont have to walk... cand do it on horse back or canoeing etc yes the milage is higher but might find it easier. Most groups only walk as its easier!