Every cloud has a silver lining, but it wasn't until 28-year-old "Shaka'' attended an asthma seminar in prison that he discovered his.

Like his mother before him, the young Bermudian had suffered with asthma all his life. Through ignorance of how to manage his problem, he experienced countless miserable attacks, some of which were so bad that he had to undergo protracted treatment in hospital.

Sports, too much laughter -- all sorts of everyday things kids enjoy -- would trigger another gasping episode. Nor did things get better as an adult. In fact, they were sometimes worse.

Little did "Shaka'' realise, as he does today, that his home was a hotbed of "no-no's'' for asthma sufferers: carpeting, drapes, mattresses, pillows, bedding, settees and upholstered furniture, and certain fabrics were all magnets for the dreaded dust mites.

Chemicals, cleaning materials, particularly bleach and products in aerosol cans, as well as paint were other asthma triggers, along with dust and mould, and being around anyone wearing flowery perfumes.

Granted, "Shaka'' had an inhaler, but so anxious was he to avoid what he falsely believed was the possibility of becoming addicted to its steroid-based medication that he avoided using it. Instead, he reasoned that by staying calm and breathing slowing, he was actively bringing about his recovery -- a decision that actually made his condition worse.

Entering prison with these problems, he naturally continued to suffer regular attacks. In addition, he developed sore ears, and itchy sinuses and soft palate.

"Something was setting me off in here,'' he notes.

Then came the day which was to mark a major turning point in "Shaka's'' life.

He voluntarily attended a seminar for asthmatic prisoners conducted by nurse practitioner Mrs. Liz Boden, who not only founded the charity Open Airways to educate asthmatics and medical professionals on how to deal with the disease, but also in 1998 spearheaded a special asthma management programme.

What "Shaka'' learned changed forever not only his understanding of the disease and how to manage it, but also that of other family members suffering from the same disease.

"My mother has asthma quite severely, and I keep her abreast of information,'' he explains. "After the seminar I wrote to her and made her totally aware of what I had learned. Now, if I get pamphlets I also mail them to her, so she's getting to understand about things like carpeting, pillows, mattresses, and so forth.'' "Shaka'' also has a young nephew with asthma, so every scrap of knowledge he gains is similarly passed on for the child's benefit.

"It hurt me so much to watch him suffer as a baby,'' he recalls. "He's about seven now, and he's learning more about handling his disease.'' Prisons programme helps inmates breath easier "Shaka'' also likes to use his knowledge to help and encourage other asthmatic inmates.

That he has come so far in terms of asthma management is thanks not only to Mrs. Boden's original seminar but also to nurse Sharon Swan, a graduate of Mrs. Boden's asthma management course for medical professionals. In fact, it is this dedicated and fully qualified asthma nurse who was responsible for setting up the asthma management programme in the Island's prison system in 1998. Today, she works out of Westgate Correctional Facility, while other similarly-qualified nurses work in the other prisons.

When an inmate is first referred to her, Mrs. Swan does a complete assessment of his problem and how he handles it.

"I start by finding out what they know about asthma, how well they have been educated on the subject, and I watch them using their inhaler.'' From that starting point, with the aid of charts and various devices, she teaches them how to prevent attacks, and the correct techniques for using such asthma-related equipment as ventilators, spacers and flow meters.

A flow meter measures the amount of oxygen inhaled into the lungs, and is a vital indicator of the state of the airways, for while a person may feel their breathing is all right, the meter can indicate the early stages of restriction which will ultimately lead to breathing difficulties.

Where medication is prescribed, Mrs. Swan indelibly marks everything with the inmate's name and date of issue. In that way, she can monitor whether it is being taken correctly.

She also teaches her patients what "triggers'' to avoid in order to prevent attacks.

Initially, asthmatic inmates must also complete daily flow meter charts, which are ultimately submitted to Mrs. Swan. The process allows both parties to monitor an inmate's condition, and see how well they're doing.

The asthma education programme, which operates at the Prison Farm and the Co-Education Facility as well as Westgate, has proved an unqualified success, and "Shaka'' is one of about 23 inmates throughout the prison system who are benefitting -- some for the first time -- from the education and care they receive. Visits to the hospital for hours-long nebuliser treatment, once a regular occurrence, are now rare.

In his case, "Shaka'' has been prescribed an array of medications and gadgets, each with its own role in his overall well-being.

His day begins by blowing into the flow meter. For his age and height the correct level is between 600 and 635. On a good day he registers between 550 and 600, which is a long way from when the 350-400 when he first began his regime. Next, he takes a couple of puffs of Flixotide, an asthma preventer.

With him at all times is a Ventolin inhaler, which relieves any symptoms.

Thanks to Mrs. Swan, "Shaka's'' sore ears and itchy sinus and mouth have been diagnosed as rhinitis -- an asthma-related problem -- for which he has been prescribed a special nasal spray.

In terms of bedding, the nurse replaced his regular pillow with a special anti-allergen pillow and anti-dust mite cover, which has greatly improved his ability to sleep.

"Shaka'' proudly keeps his asthma equipment in a special box in his cell, and while he says he would gladly help another inmate if his inhaler canister ran out and he was in difficulty, no mouthpiece is ever shared.

Meanwhile, he continues to read his asthma "bible'' -- "Could it be an Allergy?'' by Joe Fitzgibbons -- and whatever other literature he can get his hands on.

"Once you have the education, you can't go wrong,'' he says.

As one of the grateful inmates now taking responsibility for managing their asthma, "Shaka'' is anxious to pay tribute to Mrs. Boden and nurse Swan for all they have done to improve his health.

"I would like to thank Mrs. Boden and Mrs. Swan for bringing all this information to my attention. I have learned so much. They are good ladies,'' he smiles.

For her part, Mrs. Swan says that the success of the asthma management programme means a lot to her.

"I feel that I am doing something constructive,'' she explains. "My reward comes through seeing these people take responsibility for their health. If they can do that, then hopefully they will also take responsibility for other areas of their lives.'' Learning curve: Nurse Sharon Swan discusses asthma management with an inmate at Westgate.