Patient Contributor

Kerri Mackay

Asthma Patient Stories

Kerri MacKay is a writer, quantified self-enthusiast, and ePatient with ADHD and asthma.

Overview

Living With Condition
11 Years
Published
10 Articles
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Introduction

Kerri MacKay is a writer, quantified self-enthusiast, and ePatient with ADHD and asthma. She is the Canadian Severe Asthma Network patient group lead, involved in asthma research as a patient investigator with the University of Alberta’s Pulmonary Research Group, and a peer mentor for children with asthma with Asthma Canada’s Asthma Pals mentorship program. She coaches the Manitoba Goalball team with Manitoba Blind Sports and young athletes with Special Olympics Manitoba. She loves airplanes, traveling, writing, cupcakes, notebooks, and T-shirts.

Brief history with the condition(s)

 "I was diagnosed with asthma in 2008 at the age of 17 after a series of misdiagnoses. Frustrated with my asthma and struggling to access proper care, I made it my mission to find resources for adolescents with asthma and connect with people like me. Thanks to my messed-up lungs, I’ve made many friends and best friends whom I remain connected to a decade later.

In the years since my asthma diagnosis, I became a peer mentor with Asthma Canada’s Asthma Pals online mentorship program for children 7 to 11. I’m also a member of the Government Relations committee, the Patient Advisors Network, and the CSAN Patient Group Lead, and have participated in research as a Patient Investigator with the University of Alberta Pulmonary Research Group via CSAN.

I was assessed for and diagnosed with adult ADHD when I was 21, in 2013. Applying the self-advocacy skills I learned through my asthma diagnosis, I was able to better understand how my brain works. Five years later, I’m happy to embrace neurodiversity and accept the many positives of ADHD.

UK/MED/18/0284 October 2019

Published Articles

4 Things People with Asthma Are Tired of Hearing
2 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

4 Things People with Asthma Are Tired of Hearing

8 Asthma Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
2 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

8 Asthma Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

This Is What Asthma Actually Feels Like
4 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

This Is What Asthma Actually Feels Like

What I Learned As An Asthma Mentor
4 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

What I Learned As An Asthma Mentor

Hope or Hype: Could Houseplants Help Asthma?
4 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

Hope or Hype: Could Houseplants Help Asthma?

3 Challenges I've Tackled With Asthma
4 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

3 Challenges I've Tackled With Asthma

Finding My Asthma Family
5 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

Finding My Asthma Family

Asthma on the Go: What’s in Your Bag?
7 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

Asthma on the Go: What’s in Your Bag?

What Does Gut Bacteria Have to Do with Asthma?
5 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

What Does Gut Bacteria Have to Do with Asthma?

Creating An Asthma Trigger Free Zone On The Go — Is It Possible?
5 mins
article
Kerri Mackay

Creating An Asthma Trigger Free Zone On The Go — Is It Possible?