Coughing judgment at the gym (or any public space)

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Kaethe108

Guest
When my daughter was 4 months old, we started going to a baby swimming course. Sometimes the parents there stared at us, because my daughter was coughing. They were probably thinking "This horrible mum brings her sick baby to a swimming pool...". We also did not use the showers with her, which might have given the impression that we are not caring about body hygiene...
But hey... I just made myself think that we will most likely never see these people again in our whole life... So think what you want...

If somebody is still annoyed by the coughing although you tell that it is not contagious then I think he/she is simply very superficial!

I like the idea of wearing the Great strides T-Shirt! It would kill two birds with one stone!
 
K

Kaethe108

Guest
When my daughter was 4 months old, we started going to a baby swimming course. Sometimes the parents there stared at us, because my daughter was coughing. They were probably thinking "This horrible mum brings her sick baby to a swimming pool...". We also did not use the showers with her, which might have given the impression that we are not caring about body hygiene...
But hey... I just made myself think that we will most likely never see these people again in our whole life... So think what you want...

If somebody is still annoyed by the coughing although you tell that it is not contagious then I think he/she is simply very superficial!

I like the idea of wearing the Great strides T-Shirt! It would kill two birds with one stone!
 
A

artiste

New member
Eddie, About doctors...my son was ill for four years, the docs kept saying he had chrons--I took him to the doctors--many of them, including specialists--and nothing was getting better, despite tons of meds. His father told him to man up and stop being a wimp. FINALLY a young gp said she thought something was going on--sent us to a new place--and we found that he had cancer, stage 4B. He still doesn't talk to his father, who never apologized. That was in 1997. The chemo was so bad that he doesn't work full time--damage to lungs, heart, kidneys. I never take a doc at face value anymore, always questioning. And yes, it sounds like your mom had cf too. I'm glad to find out that the breathing problems and the pancreatic insufficiency has a name!! never a dull moment!! Karen
 
A

artiste

New member
Eddie, About doctors...my son was ill for four years, the docs kept saying he had chrons--I took him to the doctors--many of them, including specialists--and nothing was getting better, despite tons of meds. His father told him to man up and stop being a wimp. FINALLY a young gp said she thought something was going on--sent us to a new place--and we found that he had cancer, stage 4B. He still doesn't talk to his father, who never apologized. That was in 1997. The chemo was so bad that he doesn't work full time--damage to lungs, heart, kidneys. I never take a doc at face value anymore, always questioning. And yes, it sounds like your mom had cf too. I'm glad to find out that the breathing problems and the pancreatic insufficiency has a name!! never a dull moment!! Karen
 
J

jpatapow

Guest
I had an old guy at the gym that has said things to me several times. I tell him I'm not sick and I have a chronic lung disease and that I always wipe down the equipment. He didn't seem to care. He asked the front desk to tell me to leave one time and they did. My mom was furious and later called them. It doesn't matter what you say to anyone, they are either ignorant, don't care what you have to say, or don't believe you. Everytime I see that guy in the gym i give him the dirtiest look and I always think about saying something to the front desk because he wears the shortest shorts and stradles the stair stepper. If someone asks me and doesn't give me a bad vibe I just tell them I have bad asthma.
 
J

jpatapow

Guest
I had an old guy at the gym that has said things to me several times. I tell him I'm not sick and I have a chronic lung disease and that I always wipe down the equipment. He didn't seem to care. He asked the front desk to tell me to leave one time and they did. My mom was furious and later called them. It doesn't matter what you say to anyone, they are either ignorant, don't care what you have to say, or don't believe you. Everytime I see that guy in the gym i give him the dirtiest look and I always think about saying something to the front desk because he wears the shortest shorts and stradles the stair stepper. If someone asks me and doesn't give me a bad vibe I just tell them I have bad asthma.
 
K

kfw1963

Guest
erock, another option, depending on the type of gym you go to, is to tell the manager/staff of your condition and that way if anyone questions them about your coughing they can explain and hopefully minimize the issue. This allows you to explain it once(hopefully) and then go about your business. It will also help the gym staff by knowing that you are not contagious and they can reassure other members with concerns. It just might also help you or someone else in the gym if the staff knew of a member that actually could possibly have an issue and then be sure you are not using the same equipment etc... at the same time without cleaning in between.
 
K

kfw1963

Guest
erock, another option, depending on the type of gym you go to, is to tell the manager/staff of your condition and that way if anyone questions them about your coughing they can explain and hopefully minimize the issue. This allows you to explain it once(hopefully) and then go about your business. It will also help the gym staff by knowing that you are not contagious and they can reassure other members with concerns. It just might also help you or someone else in the gym if the staff knew of a member that actually could possibly have an issue and then be sure you are not using the same equipment etc... at the same time without cleaning in between.
 
I

imported_Momto2

New member
People can be incredibly cruel, but they can also be kind, understanding, and helpful. Dont let a few jerks change how you live your life. Keep in mind that sometimes peoples' lack of understanding and compassion is purely a fear response and sense of self-preservation. Doesnt make it any less hurtful or wrong, but shrug it off if you can. Frankly, if someone goes into a coughing fit around ME, I move away. Did I hurt their feelings? Maybe. It's even possible that I am slowly edging away from another CFer, but that MY sense of self-preservation too. People who are quick to react may have their very own medical reasons for being paranoid about yours.
 
I

imported_Momto2

New member
People can be incredibly cruel, but they can also be kind, understanding, and helpful. Dont let a few jerks change how you live your life. Keep in mind that sometimes peoples' lack of understanding and compassion is purely a fear response and sense of self-preservation. Doesnt make it any less hurtful or wrong, but shrug it off if you can. Frankly, if someone goes into a coughing fit around ME, I move away. Did I hurt their feelings? Maybe. It's even possible that I am slowly edging away from another CFer, but that MY sense of self-preservation too. People who are quick to react may have their very own medical reasons for being paranoid about yours.
 
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