People who have allergies and asthma cannot take the straw out of their mouths to feel better. Asthmatics have to take medicine and someone with allergies may have to move away from whatever is causing the allergic reaction. This is a great way to begin a discussion on asthma and allergies. An important format for this support group is a sharing time, when people share their personal stories with the group. Many tell of being ostracized by family members and friends who do not understand that their allergies and chemical sensitivities make it difficult for them to visit other people's homes or allow smokers into their own home.
Choices become doubly difficult when both parents work out of the home.
Having a venue to share their own stories appears to be equally important as having a place to learn of more resources. It helps those that suffer from chronic asthma and allergies understand that they are not alone in facing their disease - that they are not so very different from each other.