Kids Breathe Better

Melanie Hannigan is mum to 12 year old Montana, an asthma sufferer.

Montana was diagnosed with severe asthma at nine months old and with a wide range of asthma triggers e.g. dust mites, preservatives, chalk dust, certain trees and flowers she has been in and out of hospital ever since. School has been a constant battle for Montana where she has lost a lot of school time due to her many hospitalisations. Thanks to ongoing support from Asthma Foundations NSW Montana has been able to control her asthma and participate in sports like cross-country running.

Now aged 12 she recently gained entry to one of the regions top private High Schools. Montana has not only conquered her asthma, but helps the fight against it by visiting sick children with asthma in her local hospital and through numerous fund-raising efforts on behalf of Asthma Foundations NSW. Last year she raised $2,000 during National Asthma Week and this year she is piloting a Pyjama Day Appeal – which she hopes will become a National event.

I've been with Montana every step of the way, dealing not only with Montana's illness but also three other younger children. all of whom have asthma. There have been a few close calls especially with Montana. 'When Montana has an attack – we have seven minutes – she will be unconscious – or worse she'll die.'

But for me the hardest thing has been to let Montana live her life to the full, as she is determined to do. 'When she told me she wanted to do cross-country my heart was in my mouth. But what can you do? You can't let asthma rule your life - that's the one big thing I've learned through all this. Getting control is the key. Once you can confidently manage your asthma, you can do anything – as Montana has proved.'