Cal's Story: Learning to Exercise When You Have COPD

Cal, 66

Find out how Cal was able to build up his strength.

"They told me that I would be able to walk farther after a while. And they were right! After a few months, I was much more confident heading outside to play with my granddaughter. Now I walk every day and do other exercises too."

"Why me?"

That's what Cal asked himself over and over after he was diagnosed with severe COPD 5 years ago.

"I spent the first 2 years moping around the house, feeling sorry for myself," he says. "I didn't go anywhere, I didn't do anything. I just sat in front of the TV and tried not to think about anything."

Then one day Sonny, his 5-year-old granddaughter, walked up to him as he sat in his easy chair. "She looked up at me—she's got these enormous brown eyes—and she said, 'Poppy, why won't you come outside and play with me?'

"Well, it about broke my heart. I decided that day to get out of that chair and get back into life. The trouble was, I couldn't take 10 steps without getting out of breath.

"I wanted to play with my granddaughter. So I made an appointment with my doctor to see if I could try to exercise. My doctor suggested pulmonary rehab. My doctor said that rehab could help me learn how to exercise safely and build up my strength.

"My rehab team knew that I wanted to be able to play with Sonny. So they made an exercise program just for me. I got a lot of support and encouragement from my team and from the other people in rehab."

In rehab, Cal started taking short walks. Gradually, his team encouraged him to push a little harder. He also did other exercises to make his arms and legs stronger.

"They told me that I would be able to walk farther after a while. And they were right! After a few months, I was much more confident heading outside to play with my granddaughter. Now I walk every day and do other exercises too."

And after school every day, Sonny and her little brother come over and play in the yard with their Poppy.

This story is based on information gathered from many people facing this health issue.