I am excited to join COPD Friends! A Right2Breathe introduction...

[R2B_Joe]

Hello everyone! My name is Joe and I'm the CEO and Co-Founder of Right2Breathe. If you would have asked me 15 years ago if I thought that I would be running a nonprofit, I might have said you were crazy! After my dad was diagnosed with COPD in 2006, I began to get a sense that things for people with COPD needed to change for the better. Beginning with the fact that my dad did not receive a diagnosis until after he had lost more than 50% of his lung function and the fact that no where could we find relevant information for how to LIVE with COPD, I knew something HAD to be done.

You see, my dad LOVED drag racing. Actually, my mom and dad's first date was to a race track! My mom (who is a Registered Nurse, by the way) also really enjoys drag racing. Yet when my brother and I were young my dad gave up drag racing in order to raise a family. I, too have also loved drag racing for as long as I can remember but never had the means to be able to actually go racing until a family friend needed a driver and selected me! To be able to finally give back to my dad what he gave up for our family was fantastic! It was at that this same time that he was diagnosed with COPD. After all my dad had done, I was NOT willing to let COPD stop him from being able to do what he LOVED to do. It turns out, doing what he loved to do was the best thing for him! (I have included a picture of my dad next to our race car in this post).

We got involved with the COPD Foundation (I still have many friends there) and began learning some basics. It seems that the greatest teacher was experience, though. What my dad and I learned by being "on the road" together were strategies and techniques that we have not found elsewhere. We soon began to realize that it was our mission to help others find ways to keep joy in their lives despite living with respiratory conditions like COPD. We wanted to share the things that we learned so that others would know that a COPD diagnosis does NOT mean that life is over. Sure, things will change, but almost all the time there is something that can be done.

Right2Breathe was formed in 2014. It has been a struggle at times, but certainly a labor of love and is truly my life's mission. I saw first-hand how my dad was able to overcome some VERY difficult challenges by using his love for his family and for the sport of drag racing to motivate him. We created some amazing memories, we spent quality time together, and he really enjoyed many great moments in between the struggles of living with severe COPD. Sadly, my dad passed away in 2016. I truly believe that if he would have been diagnosed earlier that he might still be with us, today.

This experience lead me to truly believe one of the core values of Right2Breathe: We believe that people can overcome great challenges when they allow their passions in life to inspire them. Our goal here is to help YOU find more joy in your life. We hope to provide some education and inspiration to the group. We want to learn about YOUR journey and walk along with you if you'd like. We want to help people have more quality time with the ones they love.

There is a LOT more to my story, but I wanted everyone who reads this to have a little understanding as to WHY I am truly committed to helping others on their journey with respiratory disease. I have been fortunate to have been blessed with amazing parents, and my mom is still helping with Right2Breathe and working as a hospice nurse. While my life has certainly NOT been easy, I do consider myself to be extremely lucky. I have had a great example as to how to overcome adversity. I am thankful that Right2Breathe has an AMAZING team of GREAT people and I am excited that the COPD Friends Community will get to know some of them.

I am looking forward to getting to know you all here, and will do my best to support you in your journey!

With gratitude,

Joe

[SusieJo1948]

Welcome I'm glad your dad got enjoy what was left of his life. I have emphysema late stage. Thank you for what your doing for others your a true caring man. Love susiejo1948

[R2B_Joe Partner in reply to SusieJo1948]

Thanks!

[Feelingblessed2013]

Hi Joe, First let me say that I am sorry for your loss. Welcome to the site, glad you joined us. Your introduction was very nicely written, I look forward to getting to know you.

I was told in May 2013 that I had emphysema, but I was told by more than one pulmonologist that they could not give a diagnosis of COPD because my PFT was normal, no lung restriction means no COPD. My PCP showed me the damage in my lungs from the emphysema, and he was the one who put me on an inhaler.

My new pulmonologist classified me as having COPD about a year ago, but said she isn't sure if the restriction is from emphysema (because the only way to diagnose that is through a biopsy), or the fact that I have lost 2 lung lobes to lung cancer. She finally confirmed what my PCP and all my many CT scans had said, that I do have emphysema. But not until after she saw my last surgical report. The medical field has made progress, but I think they still have a long way to go.

[R2B_Joe Partner in reply to Feelingblessed2013]

I'm sorry to hear that your journey has been so challenging! I'm looking forward to getting to know you, too. I hope that Right2Breathe can provide some helpful information or tips going forward, and that we can help make your journey better in the future!

[Feelingblessed2013 in reply to R2B_Joe]

Thank you, but as far as my journey goes, you don't know the half of it. But I just turned 63, I am still here, still upright, still breathing.

HealthUnlocked has been a great help, I can only see it getting better with Right2Breathe on board.

[Hidden]

Hi welcome I am the research obsessed emphysema and asthma sufferer..searching for up date research to end this disease.

Determined and believing it will must happen

[R2B_Joe Partner in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Emily61!

[R2B_Joe Partner]

Hey RedSox ! I apologize for the slow response. I was traveling on business and just returned. Yes, his FEV1 was below 50% of predicted when he was diagnosed. He had emphysema and also pulmonary fibrosis from asbestos exposure working as a plumber. Ironically, he was working for a hospital when he was diagnosed and ended up being treated by the head of pulmonary for the hospital. He always looked good when we were at the track, probably because it was his "happy place"! As you know, COPD can be "invisible" (other than the nasal canula). I'm sure many people living with COPD have heard someone say, "You look fine!"

[Collie4]

Hi, it was good to read your post, thank you.

It is a comfort to be in contact with friends on here who understand.

We all have different medical probs but all connected to blf.

I think we can draw strength from each other and give inspiration ,hopefully.

[Arkangel]

Love your motivation, Joe. I didn't realise how serious my COPD was until I developed pneumonia and ended up in intensive care. The nursing team were wonderful and literally saved my life. I am much more conscientious about using my inhalers now!