COPD-Obit-Toronto Star

[shelley]

Now don't everyone get down on me over this, please. In reading the Toronto Star this morning, I noticed for the first time, that one of the Obits listed cause of death as COPD. It may be a downer but I thought to myself, finally, COPD gets mentioned. I have a pet peeve about COPD always being hidden behind other things at the end and I also thought to myself -hurray for the family who had the courage to put it in the paper. My two cents worth - be gentle with me people.

[cocojax]

Shelley I am certainly not going to get down on you for posting, I like you have never saw cause of death COPD. Maybe other people will see it and inquire as to what it is...My condolences to the family.

[maryaz]

I read obits because I have lived here so long and look for people I know. Hoping not to see any. I just check the names. Sometimes some will just pop out at you, whether it be a name of a State or disease.

Over the last 5 years I have finally seen about a half dozen with COPD mentioned. I actually saw a couple with people wearing o2. There was one I cut out and saved and the woman looked like someone that would have been promoting awareness. I assumed she wrote her own obit. It was very good.

Sad but true. Shelley, we need all the recognition we can get. It is okay.

What so often happens in reality is that they don't die from COPD but rather heart, pneumonia or something else. Take care,

[bobbioh]

Good Idea I like ot I think I will write my own obit, Not right now but soon. Would be nice to know that COPD will for sure be mentioned if not the cause of death but leading to the death. You know the fought a long battle with COPD over x amount of yrs. How come I never thought of that before? bobbioh

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Shelley; in a nutshell....you done good! I can't imagine anyone getting down on you!

As you know I'm a big supporter/pusher of COPD Awareness. I don't mind saying "I have" at all.

Yeahp; I have COPD. Even with Phil's passing (filcab) I was so proud to know that his family said the "word" in his obituary. Even the Priest during his funeral mass said "the word" several times.

I don't wear it as a badge but I sure as heck don't shy away from it; and; I'm thankful when other people, especially the families of those that have passed on have the intsestinal fortitiude to say....."after a lengthy battle with COPD" or something along that effect. I know my family will.... and Bobbi; I too have thought of Pre-writing" my obit.

We honor those who have the courage to live and die with it and :"SAY" .... it.....

So; to that family I am honored to count myself in and also say.....I HAVE COPD!

Thanks Shelley....

[toni]

It is still quite amazing that people just don't have a clue.

Often when I or my husband say to someone that I have COPD, we get blank stares. People honestly just don't know about this horrible disease. Especially young people, who IMHO need to understand this more than anyone.

There's not enough education done in schools, no messages on TV, and in our province, not enough funding to get the information out.

There's my rant for the day! Hope I'm not out of line.

One more thing...even the spellcheck doesn't recognize COPD!

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

We're working on changing that Toni. I've some info coming soon.....
We CAN make a difference!