Hi, I'm Penny the Penguin and I love to play outside with my friends everyday, but recently whenever I run around a lot I start to have trouble breathing and I start coughing and wheezing. My mom took me to the doctor and he said that I have asthma.

My dad explained to me that asthma is when you have a problem in your respiratory system, which is the body system that helps you breath, and that asthma is a problem with my lungs. I asked my dad why it was me that got asthma because I always stay healthy, but he told me that it's not my fault and there's nothing I could've done to prevent it.

The doctor told me that if I just use my inhaler it will send the medicine I need straight to my lungs which will help me breath better.

The most scary part is when they told me that if I don't use my inhaler I could possibly pass out or maybe even die or go into a coma because I stopped breathing.

As long as I am careful to not overwork myself and to bring my inhaler with me whenever I hang out with my friends I should be able to do what all the other kids are able to do! Like play soccer with my friends

I just want to tell all of the kids out there that are like me and have asthma that it's okay and you can still be a kid and do what kids do. We can get through this together!