Carol Kirker

I came across this quote the other day by Ady Barkan, a health care activist talking about his battle with ALS. “Hope is not a state of mind. It is...

A week ago my husband and I were going to dinner at another couple’s home we have been friends with for many years. They have lived in South Carolina for...

The title of this article is actually a comment written by a member of this community. Her name is Patricia. When I read it, I knew it would make a...

I have been talking about moving for about three years. My first plan was to move to Texas from Massachusetts to be closer to my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren...

Another year of living with COPD has come and gone. It has been eight years. It has become easier because of the knowledge I have gained through the experience of...

I believe we should have a special space to retreat to. This is a place we can reflect and reconnect with ourselves. Managing COPD takes a great deal of energy...

I’m sure you are familiar with this story. Once upon a time, I was very independent. Anxiety was something other people had. I took care of my family and home...

Cold weather, storms, ice, and blustery winds are always difficult to go out in during the winter months. Many of us, myself included, find ourselves staying in the warmth of...

"Exercise cannot reverse lung disease, but it can reverse de-conditioning and improve your quality of life." We all know we should do it, but how many of us actually consider...

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, anxiety is defined as: medical: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased...

We all know life with COPD isn’t easy, particularly when it is severe. We spend a great deal of time managing the symptoms, avoiding exacerbations, and stopping to catch our...

Before the pandemic, I didn’t have any knowledge of the Zoom program. I think that is true for many on a personal level. If I did any video chats, it...

By definition, forest bathing is immersing yourself in nature in a mindful way. The term (shinrin-yoku) originated in Japan, acknowledging that time spent with nature relieves stress and is very...

My lungs don’t really care for fluctuating temperatures when the seasons change. Some of my worst exacerbations have been going from the warm air of summer to the cooler air...

Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series. Be sure to check out part 1! Most of us with COPD have been prescribed some sort of inhaler, if not...

Editor's note: This is part 1 of a series. Be sure to check out part 2! Most occupations have particular tools that are necessary to perform their work. A carpenter...

Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series. Be sure to read part 1! In Part 1 of this article, I discussed a few issues that cause me to...

Editor's note: This is part 1 of a series. Be sure to check out part 2! It doesn't take much to get that overwhelmed feeling when dealing with being short...

When I go out shopping, many times I use a mobility scooter. If I go to a small store I can get away with using my rollator walker. The large...

I used to thrive on living life with spontaneity. My work schedule was planned, but beyond that, I believed in letting life happen as it happened. A great deal of...