[Intro — spoken]

Maya was the fastest girl on the cross country team...

Until the autumn her lungs forgot how to keep up...

[Verse 1]

Maya laced her running shoes on a crisp October day,

Half a mile in — something wasn't right — no way,

Chest got tight — a whistling sound with every breath she blew,

Stopped at the side of the trail — didn't know what to do.

This wasn't the first time — happened in the gym too,

Cat at home would set it off — cold air coming through,

Mom had it growing up — grandma had it bad,

Maya never knew that what she had was what they had.

[Pre-Chorus]

Doctor listened to her chest — heard the whistle clear,

Had her blow into a tube — results confirmed the fear,

Number went back up after a spray — that was the key,

Reversible obstruction — that's what set Maya free.

[Chorus]

Maya's on a tightrope — airways tight and small,

Cold air, cats and exercise — any one can fall,

Chest gets tight and wheezy — hard to breathe it through,

But Maya's got her inhaler — knows exactly what to do.

[Verse 2]

Blue inhaler in her pocket — every single run,

Opens up the airways fast — before the race is done,

Doctor added a daily one — purple — morning use,

Keeps the swelling down inside — takes away the fuse.

Allergist did testing — found the triggers clear,

Dust mites, cats and pollen — kept away from fear,

Air filter in the bedroom — cat stays off the bed,

Maya runs the county cross country now instead.

[Bridge]

One bad night in January — couldn't catch her breath,

Rescue inhaler wasn't working — scared herself to death,

Mom drove fast to the hospital — breathing treatment there,

Steroids through a mask — oxygen — intensive care.

Doctor said next time — start the steroid pill early,

Action plan in writing — posted on the wall — clearly,

Green means go — yellow slow down — red means call,

Maya knows her zones now — never misses the call.

[Outro]

Maya runs the county meet — personal best last fall,

Inhaler in her pocket — never misses the call,

Checks her peak flow every morning — green zone every day,

Maya found her tightrope — and learned to walk the way.

“Maya’s Story”