 |
How Do You Spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S?
When it comes to controlling her asthma, this Scripps National Spelling Bee
champion spells success as: K. HOVNANIAN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.
Charles Dadzie, M.D., director of
Pediatric Pulmonology and Critical
Care at K. Hovnanian Children’s
Hospital, emphasizes two things
to all of his young asthma patients:
"First, don’t let asthma control you —
you control the asthma. Second,
always have your rescue medication
with you." For Kerry Close, 14, living
by these maxims has led her to a
remarkable level of achievement.
Conquering School and Sports
Recently crowned as the champion
of the 2006 Scripps National Spelling
Bee, this Spring Lake teen has
mastered two areas that children with
asthma often struggle with: school and
sports. Asthma is, in fact, the primary
reason for chronic school absences —
whether from repeated sinus infections,
attacks, coughs, or allergies. But Kerry
doesn’t allow asthma to restrict her
activities and enjoys the lifestyle of
other ninth-grade girls, like being a
member of her school’s cross-country
team. Yet it wasn’t always so easy.
To help her get her asthma under
control, Kerry’s parents turned to
the Asthma Center at K. Hovnanian
Children’s Hospital. "When I first
started treating Kerry," Dr. Dadzie
recalls, "she was having frequent
respiratory challenges, like wheezing,
shortness of breath, and chronic cough,
especially after physical activity."
In Kerry’s case, the high frequency
of her attacks made her condition far
from routine. But Dr. Dadzie and his
team were up for the challenge,
noting that "We’ve been able to
manage Kerry’s asthma quite well."
Kerry herself talks about dealing with
her asthma with a quiet confidence.
"At first, my asthma was scary. I would
have attacks where it felt like I couldn’t breathe. Now it doesn’t
bother me at all. I feel great
and haven’t had a major
episode in a couple of years."
Asthma is a rather common
condition, diagnosed in 14
percent of children in
Monmouth and Ocean
counties. But because there
are many triggers —
including temperature
changes, allergies, stress,
infections, and pollutants —
ongoing management and
treatment are critical. As
Dr. Dadzie points out,
"Asthma is frightening for
children and their parents,
especially in severe cases
when they cannot catch their
breath. Chemicals are
released during an asthma
attack which cause muscle
contractions that block
the airways."
Perseverance Paves the Way
But there doesn’t seem to be a
roadblock in sight for Kerry these days.
Having competed in the National
Spelling Bee for the last five years, she
knows the meaning of perseverance.
"I studied about half a million words
and focused on spelling multiple lists
of words for hours a day," Kerry says.
To emerge as the national champ
in 2006, she competed against 275
other talented youngsters, all of
whom earned the right to participate
in the contest by winning local bees.
After 19 grueling rounds, she finally
secured the coveted title by correctly
spelling Ursprache.
Reflecting on her path to success,
Kerry credits her pediatrician.
"Dr. Dadzie has always been one
of my biggest supporters. I’ve been seeing him since I was seven, but
now it is just to monitor and adjust
my medications. He tells me I can
do anything if I have my inhaler with
me. He is always so nice. And so is
Rosie," she adds, referring to Rose
Baselici, R.N., who has worked side by
side with Dr. Dadzie for 15 years.
Guided by her supportive parents
and aided by the encouragement of her
doctor, Kerry will continue to thrive.
Dr. Dadzie speaks for many when he
says, "I was elated to see Kerry on one
television station after another after her
triumphant win. We had talked about
the spelling bee many times, and she
would even practice at times in the
waiting room. It’s proof that she never
once let her asthma control her."
 – Ryan Younger
|
