Ronald Reagan

“ Patients may range from a premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome, through the child with cystic fibrosis, to an elderly patient with advanced emphysema. To all, the therapist applies his skills and knowledge to relieve distressing symptoms, restore normal lung capacity, or help the patient conserve and make the best use of his remaining lung function. Therapy can lead to a complete recovery, prolong life, or make the patient's existence more comfortable. ”

“ During recent years, improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic respiratory disease have made increasingly important the contribution of the respiratory therapist in rendering the best possible care to those afflicted by these disorders. ”

“ Chronic obstructive lung diseases afflict an estimated 17.2 million Americans, with more than three million being disabled to a greater or lesser degree by such disorders as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema and many other serious lung diseases of known and unknown causes. ”