Picture a stereotypical nerd in a television show or movie.
They probably wear braces and glasses, and if theyre truly unfortunate, headgear.
They always seem to be clutching something.
What is that, a cell phone?
Nope, its something of much greater importance to this tragic teentheirinhaler.
That definitely wasnt going to happen.
Idreach for my inhalerto take a puff and, without fail, Id always hear the same annoying comment.
My friends would chant in high-pitched voices before dissolving into giggles.
I didnt hear, Are you ok?
or Do you need anything?
Sure, my asthma wasnt severe at the time, and I knew they were just teasing.
But I never really got it.
What was the joke?
I blame you, Hollywood.
Asthma symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing,wheezing, and chest tightness.
Doesnt sound fun, right?
Yet, somehow these symptoms have become entertainment gold.
Ive been there, and it sucks.
Asthmacanget this severe, yet its still often used as a lighthearted punchline in things like comedies and cartoons.
Someone cute talks to you?
You get called on in class?
You have to give a speech?
Asthma has become equated with the jittery nerves that also pair with the stereotypical nerd.
Let me tell you, Ive never started wheezing at the sight of someone attractive.
Also, shyness is a personality trait.
Asthma, on the other hand, is not.
One of the first TV characters with asthma I remember seeing was Carl Wheezer (get it?)
Carl wore glasses, suspenders, and carried his trusty inhaler.
His inhaler was empty, and Bill had to go to the pharmacy, which took about 45 minutes.
The scene fully gripped me as I anxiously flipped the pages to see if Eddie would make it.
I felt his pain as he lay on the ground wheezing and struggling to bring air into his lungs.
Its a feeling I know all too well, and theres nothing comical about it.
Its one of the most panic-inducing scenarios I can think of.
I won’t spoil it, but lets just say that didnt happen.
Asthma can hinder a persons ability to do or enjoycertain physical activities or sports.
But I cant think of any nerdy characters that havecanceror cystic fibrosis.
Asthma seems to fall into the we wont go to hell for laughing at this category of health-related humor.
Characters with asthma also are commonly seen as weak and defenseless, making them great targets for bullies.
That franticness is key, as the nerd character is usually portrayed as kind of spastic anyway.
Cool kids arent, of course.
And health conditions shouldnt be used to perpetuate stereotypes like this, even when it may seem harmless.
You know who has asthma?Jessica Alba.
Lets not forget about Harry Styles, who hasused his inhaler on stageon multiple occasions.