Sometimes thing go “full circle.” Or is it full square, when you occasionally get stuck in a corner of life? Circle or square, the center of my life was my battle with severe asthma.

I grew up during an era when managing asthma was an extremely difficult task. This was before inhalers or peak-flow meters were available. Asthma patients and their loved ones, paid a high price.

Physical Education classes were dreaded, so reading became my refuge. Books provided an escape to the constant...