I read with great interest the June 20 story outlining the history of the Second Wind Asthma Camp directed by Dr. Chris Magryta and Salisbury Pediatrics.
Our daughter has attended that camp and thankfully, there is a large and underappreciated component of diagnostics to it. The camp is staffed with medical professionals recognize allergic reactions or signs of breathing distress after campers have tried different foods or participated in various physical activities.
Our daughter suffers from asthma, but to our knowledge, four years ago she had no food allergies. While she was a camper at Second Wind, she tried a food item and her reaction prompted the staff to recommend allergy testing. Testing revealed severe allergies — which also contributed to her frequent asthma attacks — that require many medications to maintain control of optimal breathing. We had no idea.
Our family had to train on the use of an epi-pen — an injectable dose of epinephrine to combat the effects of a potentially lethal anaphylactic shock due to exposure to an allergen. We’ve carried the “pens” around for years now — never needing them and even beginning to question their need. We were very wrong.
In April, our daughter ingested a toxin: two doses of her epi-pen — each dose seemingly buying her 10 more minutes of keeping her airway open — allowed her to arrive at the emergency room alive. She did, however, arrive with her coloring gray; she had an almost complete airway obstruction, and only minutes to live if not for intervention.
We look at the situation like this: Our daughter requires medication for allergic reactions; we became aware of these allergies through Second Wind. Without SWAC’s existence and dedicated staff, we might not have been prepared to handle this life-threatening emergency.
This is a very important fun and educational camp that helps teach children in our community with asthma to recognize dangerous triggers but also to live a full life, despite asthma.
A heartfelt thank you from our family to all who assist in making this free camp available.
— Tracy McMillin

Salisbury

For more information about the camp, contact Gretchen McCall at Salisbury Pediatrics (704-636-5576) or Tracy McMillin (704-640-2311).

I’m dittoing Linda Beck’s letter in the Post earlier this week:
For many years, you “go to” guys at the former West Innes Exxon went “above and beyond” for me .
I appreciate you and will miss you.
— Marie Howell

Rowan County

All of us at West Innes Exxon would like to say thank you to all of our current and previous customers. It has been a great 25 years serving all of our friends and family at 1820 West Innes St. Due to several factors, tanks and image requirements, the owner, Superior Oil Co. Inc., decided to close the location instead of trying to meet all the new requirements. The station was built in 1954 as a Crown Station when Hartline & Fisher leased it, and in the early ’60s, it was changed to Exxon. Again, thanks for all your calls and letters of support for all the employees. We will miss you.
— Mark Sokolowski, Ron Allman, Paul Shuping and Jim Safrit
Salisbury