By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN
Brendon Ormsby doesn't think it's fair that he can't eat as much ice-cream as other children.
The 10-year-old has asthma and anything cold can trigger an attack.
Brendon had bronchiolitis as a baby which caused pneumonia and had him in and out of
hospital. When he started school his bronchiolitis disappeared but developed into asthma.
Brendon, a Rotokawa School pupil, uses a Flexitide inhaler most days to manage his condition.
On "bad days" he uses Ventolin, a stronger inhaler.
He also keeps an inhaler at school. He uses it before any sporting activity to stop him from becoming wheezy and coughing.
If his asthma gets really bad, as it does about every five months, his mum Paula races him to the doctor who puts him on a nebuliser machine.
"I know when he's getting bad because I can hear it in his breathing," she said.
"We've learnt a few home tricks now though, like if we put him in the shower the steam often helps him."
Brendon's 21-month-old brother Keenan also has bronchiolitis and doctors say it may develop into asthma.
Today is Balloon Day, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's nationwide campaign to raise money for child asthma research.
Korowai Aroha Health Centre asthma/respiratory educator Jacque Webber is urging Rotorua people to dig into their pockets and donate to a worthy cause to help children like Brendon.
The Rotorua Asthma Society is running today's Balloon Day at Mitre 10 and fundraising in the central city. There is also an asthma-related display at the Rotorua Public Library.
In Whakatane today, there was to be an Asthma Family Walk aimed at highlighting how physical activity can be a good thing for people with asthma.
Tomorrow in Taupo, there will be a Balloon Parade which will make its way through the town centre, ending at the Settlers' Market.
