we're kicking things off with our story of inspiration a Chicago man shares how
learning to play the harmonica has helped him with his lung health one of
Ron Ryder's favorite spots is his woodshop creating something out of
something else and it's something that that you can be proud that you have done
and people enjoy what you haven't done so when he started to find himself out
of breath he became concerned about keeping up with his projects I work in
my shop seven eight hours a day I got out of breath quite often so it was it
was hard to deal with you get scared it you know when you can't breathe that you
get scared and you don't know what's going on concerned Ron decided to see a
pulmonologist for some testing Ron was diagnosed with COPD COPD stands for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease it causes changes in the Airways such as
swelling and inflammation and thickening and mucus production as well as
destroying alveolar tissue which are the air sacs and takes a deep breath in
patients present with symptoms of shortness of breath chronic cough
wheezing and chest tightness it is a chronic illness so they will have it for
rest of their lives or ones they're diagnosed you're scared
you don't know exactly what COPD is all about and
you don't know what what's gonna happen with you the first step was getting Ron
on medication and oxygen to help him breathe easier it helps you and then
it'll let you get out and about it's a good thing next
Ron's doctors had him go through pulmonary rehab rehab does not improve
the actual lung function but with same amount of lung function ever to do more
activity so it really it has a big impact in the quality of life
Ron's medical team also recommended one more therapy to help his lungs by using
harmonica you're practicing pursed lip breathing what that does is it helps to
keep your Airways open so the air gets in and out more easily it also improves
their sensation of popping short of breath and it improves their ability to
half and coffee effectively and to remove secretions that are building up
in their lungs it also increases socialization it create an environment
where they can be friends and have fun and come together and just have a good
time it's fun and it's therapy it's a good exercise it's a healthy exercise
he's doing really well he's a regular he comes to see me every
week really that's what we're all aiming for with our therapy for patients with
COPD is just improve their quality of life so that they are more functional so
that they can enjoy life and do more things that they wish to pursue we just
want to enjoy what we're doing and stay healthy
that's our main goal is to stay healthy Ron's practice has not only improved his
harmonica skills but also allowed him to keep his woodworking projects
I'm determined to do it it's very good accomplishment than when you finish a
piece take a lot of breaks I get out of breath I'll take up right 1015 minute
break and then go back at it again are you still doing all the stuff he loves
even though he has COPD which is very impressive he's really a prime example
how you want to live with your poopy run hopes to inspire others living with COPD
to keep up with their hobbies and not be limited by the disease I want people to
know that with COPD you can still live a life you can live a good life part of
having COPD is learning to control the disease and not let it control you
there's no sense of being down and out with this disease it's something that
you have to live it why why lock yourself up because you have that music
well enjoy yourself