September 3, 1999

I am a 26 year old male. I struggle for my daily breath and I don't even smoke.
I have Cystic Fibrosis. A terminal lung disease.
As I get older my lungs get worse. It makes me cry to see people smoking, because they have perfectly normal lungs, yet they purposely screw them up. I understand the nicotine fix, I understand that smoking calms one down. But, it may not seem such a big deal now, you may be able to breathe normally now. There are alternatives.
I see respiratory therapists who smoke. I do not even let them do my therapy....because they have gone to school and KNOW AND SEE the effects of smoking. I know that there may be a few respiratory therapists out there....I don't mean to tell you your business.

In a few years you will all be like me, if not worse with throat or lung cancer or a stroke, or even a heart attack. Just one day I would love to breath without struggling, or being lightheaded because of the lack of oxygen to my brain. I don't need to smoke and I am already hacking nasty stuff up because of my disease. Smoking can be hard to stop, but wouldn't it be easier to stop smoking than to have to stop living because you can't breath? I would trade my lungs for your lungs anyday....because at least I would appreciate them alot more than you do. Please stop smoking.....not just cause I ask.....but do it for yourself, and anyone who loves you.
I am unable to even be intimate with my wife because I can not get enough air to my lungs because they are so blocked. I want to be able to Go to Disneyland again, but I will most likely have to be in a wheelchair because I am physically unable to walk around without my chest tightening up. I would love to be able to live a normal life. I can't even walk around a grocery store because I get winded and I have to sit down. My head throbs, my heart pounds and I feel like I am gonna have a heart attack. And this is just because my disease is progressing.
I know that I may sound like I am preaching, but if it saves people from having to live like me then great. Quitting smoking can prevent this from happening to you. It may take a few years for it to happen, but it will happen.
If any smokers would like to trade their lungs for mine.....just wait a few years.
If you can walk on the street and smoke.......in a few years you won't.

David Cripps

David's Website