Because I have extremely severe asthma it scarred my lungs and I had to stop working at the age of 49. My lung disease was getting progressively worse and I was spending too much time in the hospital. After I retired, I incorporated exercise and fitness walking into my daily routine and also became an advocate for those suffering from the disease. I became the first person with documented severe lung disease to finish the Boston marathon - I’m unable to run, so I walked it.