Leading with Courage: Rennisha's Story

I was eight years old, running with my classmates at school, when I first noticed my chest felt extremely tight. I assumed that if I gave it some time, the feeling would go away. Instead, the tightness lasted throughout the day and into the night, until my parent noticed I was wheezing heavily. I was taken to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with asthma.

When I was younger, I felt helpless during my asthma attacks because I didn’t understand the disease. All I knew was that my chest would tighten for hours, leaving me unable to breathe properly, and that after treatment I wasn’t allowed to consume anything cold.

As time went on, my asthma attacks became so severe that I lost consciousness in public places—including at school, while traveling, and even in a mall changing room.

On December 18, 2022, I woke up with a tight chest and assumed it was a typical asthma attack. I took my inhaler, expecting relief, but instead my chest became even tighter. Unable to handle the pain any longer, I went to the doctor for a nebulizer treatment. Unlike my previous attacks, I could barely inhale, and my breathing produced a wet wheezing sound.

After the treatment, I assumed everything would return to normal and headed home. Once again, I was wrong. My breathing worsened rapidly, forcing me to return to the doctor. An X-ray revealed that my asthma attack had caused fluid buildup in my lungs. It took nearly a month for me to fully recover.

After that painful experience along with hearing numerous ignorant comments about asthma and realizing how many people silently suffer from it I began to ask myself: Why isn’t asthma spoken about enough in the Virgin Islands?

Over time, I thought about how I could effectively bring awareness to this condition. Should I create a page? Use my personal social media? Then it hit me why not create a nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to asthma awareness?

That idea became Asthma Action.

After graduating in 2024 and moving back home, I took action. What began as pain, fear, and misunderstanding evolved into purpose giving rise to Asthma Action, an organization dedicated to raising awareness, educating, and advocating for those living with asthma.

Growing up, asthma was a constant challenge for me and my sisters. Getting sick meant more than a sore throat or body aches it meant struggling to breathe and enduring frequent, frightening attacks. I spent many nights with nebulizer treatments, which, though uncomfortable, were necessary for relief.

As I got older, my symptoms improved, and I was able to put those memories behind me. But in May 2025, my family suffered a devastating loss when my brother, who had severe asthma, passed away from an attack. None of us ever imagined asthma would take him from us.

When I was invited to join a nonprofit dedicated to spreading asthma awareness, I saw it as an opportunity to help prevent others from experiencing what my family went through. This is why I’m committed to making a difference in the fight against asthma

Tammany has lived with asthma since birth. Growing up, she experienced frequent asthma attacks that often led to hospital visits. Even simple physical activity in school could trigger symptoms, making asthma a major part of her daily life.

For Tammany, one of the hardest parts of living with asthma is the fear of attacks. She says, “The panic of not being able to breathe is the worst physical experience ever.”

Today, she manages her asthma by using her inhalers when needed and trying her best to avoid things that trigger it.

Tammany wants people to understand that asthma is not just a temporary or childhood condition that someone simply “grows out of.” It is something very serious.

Her message to others living with asthma:  
-  Know your triggers and avoid them as best as you can  
- Take your medication  
- Always keep it with you

Kayosha has been dancing since the age of 7 and now teaches children dance and acrobatics. Aside from teaching, she also works full-time and spends her spare time in the gym. She describes herself as someone who stays very busy and active.

She doesn’t struggle with asthma on a day-to-day basis but instead experiences what she calls “flare-ups” that happen randomly. Because it’s so unpredictable, she tries to always keep her pumps with her especially knowing her strongest attacks tend to happen when her pumps are expired or when she’s seriously ill.

If she has her pumps, she takes them immediately. If not, she slows down whatever she’s doing, focuses on catching her breath, and works to calm her heart.

For Kayosha, one of the hardest parts of asthma is the pain that comes with it. While many people understand the struggle to breathe, she shares that the pain in the throat and chest is something people don’t always realize.

Her message to others living with asthma:  

- “Like Nike says, Just Do It. If you see it as a limitation, you’re only holding yourself back from reaching your actual potential.”  

-  Stay active and don’t let asthma define you  

Ashonté is a 20-year-old teacher aide at an elementary school with a dream of becoming a child psychologist. Living with asthma has shaped how she approaches her health and daily life.

For Ashonté, one of the hardest parts about living with asthma is how unpredictable it can be. She shares that asthma attacks can sneak up on you, even when you’re not expecting it.

To manage her asthma, Ashonté relies on breathing exercises and uses her inhaler whenever she’s sick even if her chest doesn’t feel tight. For her, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Ashonté wants others to understand that asthma never truly goes away and can be very serious if not taken seriously.

Her message to others living with asthma:  

-  Keep your inhaler close it should be your best friend  

- Make sure your inhaler is always up to date  

-  Don’t ignore your asthma, even if it hasn’t affected you in a while  

Lionel was born in Dominica and grew up in the British Virgin Islands. He is a DJ and an artist who loves music and bringing people together. He has had asthma since he was young, but over time, he has learned how to manage it.

While Lionel doesn’t struggle with asthma every day anymore, he shares that intense activities like basketball or running can still trigger symptoms. His chest can get tight, and he experiences shortness of breath, which he says is one of the hardest parts.

To manage his asthma, Lionel tries to pace himself and not overdo it. He pays attention to how his body feels and shared that a doctor recommended an inhaler something he knows he needs to take more seriously.

Lionel wants others to understand that just because someone looks fine doesn’t mean they don’t have asthma. It can still affect you, especially during physical activity. Lionel also shared a past challenge. In high school, he once blacked out from pushing himself too hard, which made him realize the importance of being more careful and aware of his limits.

His message to others living with asthma:

-  Take it seriously even if you don’t feel it all the time

-  Learn your body

-  Don’t push yourself too far just to prove something

Kala Penn is a national athlete representing the British Virgin Islands in the long jump and triple jump. Her journey isn’t just about performance it’s also about learning how to live, train, and evolve while managing asthma in a real and intentional way. She was diagnosed with asthma in 2016.

For Kala, the hardest part has been the unpredictability moments where she couldn’t breathe, ER visits, disrupted sleep, and dealing with allergies and triggers. She shares that it can feel limiting, especially when your body isn’t cooperating with what you’re trying to do.

To manage her asthma, Kala focuses on paying attention to her body, staying consistent with checkups, and acting early when something feels off. She has learned not to ignore the signs and to take her health seriously before it becomes something bigger.

Kala wants others to understand that asthma is serious and looks different for everyone. It’s not always visible, but that doesn’t make it any less real. At the same time, she emphasizes that it doesn’t mean your life has to stop you just have to move with awareness.

Kala also shared how asthma has challenged her to grow. She has learned to adjust and not force things when her body isn’t in the right place. Asthma has taught her to respect her limits while still finding ways to move forward.

Her message to others living with asthma:

- Listen to your body

- Don’t try to push past everything

-  It’s okay to adjust, pause, and take care of yourself that doesn’t make you weak, it keeps you going