Stephen, who lives in San Fransisco, had to qualify for this race just like every other participant --  by having a qualifying finish time from a previous qualifying race. "The only difference," he said, "is that they are waiving the 6-hour time limit for me and a couple other people with disabilities."

However, he remains realistic:  "As with every race that I prepare to do, it still remains to be seen if I'll actually be able to pull it off. As you know, the problem with severe asthma is that it has a mind of its own. You can feel great one minute and be sucking on the end of an ET tube the next."

So Breathin' Stephen -- the Hard Luck Asthmatic -- is currently training for the Boston Marathon.  He is truly an inspiration to all us asthmatics, who can no longer say, "I have asthma, so I can't do that."

Yes you may have to pace yourself, but with good asthma management you too can be an inspiration.  As best you can, keep moving -- or at least keep walking.

Breathin Stephen says it best: "As you know, there hasn't been much written about people with the severe form of this disease. I'm hoping that my taking part in the most prestigious marathon in the world will send a message to other hardcore lungers out there, that anything is possible."

Good luck Stephen.  We'll be rooting for you.