Image via Janice Cotton

When Janice Cotton was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 20 years agone, she admits she was in denial.

In 2000, much less was familiar about COPD. Cotton's doctor never recommended physical exercise, dynamical her diet, or looking for support groups.

"I compliments I could recover and tell myself to find support. I wish I knew the death I was doing to myself. I wish I never smoked," Cotton plant same.

Cotton didn't quit smoking until 2007 when she discovered the COPD Groundwork.

The COPD Cornerstone is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with COPD. Since becoming involved with the foundation, she has been titled a Country Advocacy Captain for Illinois.

"This is my cross to wear, just I also want to make a difference in the lives of unusual people World Health Organization have COPD and their family members," Cotton said.

Cotton dedicates her spare time to talk to people about the condition and giving them entropy on:

  • work
  • pulmonary rehabilitation
  • where to find resources

She gives out health information at Christian church, and she's lobbied on Capitol Hill for funding for COPD research and treatment initiatives.

"It seems equal a zero-win office, but you can win aside keeping atomic number 3 positive as you can, doing the right things to stay as healthy as realizable, and getting around the right people," Cotton plant said.

Cotton cloth said it's "hard to fare much of anything when you can't catch one's breath," but she makes an hands-on effort to walk for practice.

COPD has made life more difficult for Cotton fiber physically, only she says that mentally it has denaturized her for the better.

"I can't judge anybody virtually what they say or do," Cotton aforesaid. "Information technology's not necessary to know why people do things, but as an alternative to know if they're healthy to arrive out of their trials and tribulations with something good."

She long ago stopped-up asking "wherefore me?" and home connected the negatives. Instead, she focuses on qualification a difference.

"I am going to be characterized by my advocacy and what I've done for the residential district, not for having the disease," Cotton plant same. "I was this type of mortal in front. COPD just enhanced me to be a improve person."