E22. Living Well with COPD: Pulmonary Rehab, Self-Advocacy, and the Power of Community with Glenn Kitchener

Beyond the Wheeze

In this episode, I sit down with Glenn Kitchener, a passionate COPD advocate who opens up about his journey from smoking-related lung disease to finding new ways to live well with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Glenn was diagnosed in 2010 shortly after quitting smoking. He shares the struggles he faced in the beginning and how education, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes at West Park Healthcare Center’s Respiratory Day Hospital helped him move forward.

We also take a closer look at COPD itself, including symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options, while highlighting why early diagnosis and proper management make such a difference. Glenn talks about his advocacy work with the Lung Health Foundation and offers thoughtful advice for people who are newly diagnosed and their families. His story shows how important it is to stay informed, seek out support, and find ways to live well even with a chronic lung condition.

You can find additional resources, as well as more information about Glenn and what we discussed in this episode, at beyondthewheeze.ca/episode-22
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Chapters

01:03 Introduction to Glenn Kitchener's Journey
02:06 Understanding COPD: A Quick Overview
04:16 Glenn's Diagnosis and Early Challenges
08:03 The West Park Experience
14:04 Living Well with COPD
21:57 Advocacy and Raising Awareness
23:18 First In-Person Better Breathing Week Experience
23:51 Empowerment Through Advocacy and Support Networks
26:08 Finding Reliable Health Information
31:14 Personal Reflections and Advocacy Journey
34:50 Final Thoughts and Advice for Living with COPD
40:29 The Impact of Smoking and Vaping
42:22 Conclusion and Call to Action

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