My name is Crystal A. Garrett. I was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, and I recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. I was diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma at the age of 4, and I have been working with the American Lung Association since I was 15 years old. I was crowned Miss South Carolina in 2007 and have put my efforts behind my foundation (PEAK: Preparing and Empowering Asthmatic Kids) ever since. I am thrilled to collaborate with Mothers & Others for Clean Air.
Clean air is important to me as a person suffering from asthma, especially because I am also a singer and a runner. I have worked hard building up my lung capacity through medical advancements and staying active. When I attended the University of South Carolina, which is centrally located the the downtown city of Columbia, I would often take runs outside. I noticed a huge difference in the length of my runs outside as opposed to running indoors. Because there is more air pollution in the city, I always had to cut my outdoor runs short because my lungs just could not stand the beating.
Everyone should be able to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the magnitude of their city’s air pollution. Air pollution can make being outdoors a burden on the mind, body and soul. I am determined to help wipe that burden clear from everyone’s minds, especially our children.
Clean air is vital to my health, as well as my friends and family’s health. We must push forward in protecting our environment, making efforts each day to make our air cleaner. Everyday measures like getting regular oil changes, carpooling, and promoting a tobacco free lifestyle can help.
I hope for less asthma diagnoses and more children enjoying the outdoors without a care. I hope for less smokers and more healthy and active Americans. I hope for less smog and more green factories and companies. We only have one planet earth, and we all have to contribute in keeping it beautiful, clean, and preserved.
Written by Crystal A. Garrett
