Jan, age 46, was diagnosed with asthma at age 4. She is white British, lives with her partner and works as a freelance Business Psychologist. Jan's childhood was disrupted by regular asthma attacks. As a young adult the symptoms lessened and she thought she had grown out of it', but in her mid 20's her asthma flared up again. Nowadays Jan feels able to manage her asthma effectively and although she occasionally has attacks, she feels that the preventative medication she takes regularly helps to keep things under control.

Jane, age 60, was diagnosed with asthma age 1 year old. She is white British, single and lives alone. She worked as a civil servant for many years but retired on medical grounds at age 50. She has recently started working as a part time administrator. Over the years Jane's life and opportunities have been restricted at times by her condition, although she is now much more able to manage the condition and has had periods where things have been relatively stable. Jane has what is known as catamenial asthma, which is related to the female hormones around the menstrual cycle, and also allergic asthma related primarily to dust.

Chris, age 59, was only 7 when she was diagnosed with asthma. She is white British and is married with two adult children. She is a retired teacher. After her first asthma attack at age 7, she had regular and frequent episodes of illness throughout her childhood which often resulted in absence from school. Her last really bad asthma attack was when she was about 28 and since the advent of newer and more effective treatments she has been very successful at managing the condition so that it doesn't restrict her life.

Mark, age 49, was diagnosed with asthma at age 6. He is white British and married with two children (aged 8 and 11) who also suffer from asthma. Mark himself has a number of health conditions as well as asthma, and at the moment is unable to work. His asthma is quite severe and he experiences symptoms most days because there are a wide variety of things that trigger his asthma, including changes in weather and temperature, pollen, over exertion and smoky or dusty atmospheres.

Tomas, age 16, was diagnosed with asthma at age 6 months. He is white and lives at home with his parents and brother. Tomas is a keen rugby player and thinks that his asthma is not stopping him from doing the sport he likes. His parents have always encouraged and supported him. He says that the work that Asthma UK does at schools has helped to improve the understanding of the condition among teachers and children.

Catherine, age 39, has had asthma (diagnosed at age 5) and a number of other health conditions since birth. She is white British, single and works with young people who have learning disabilities. During her childhood she found that she was unable to take part in many things and felt quite isolated. As an adult, Catherine has found ways to make life work for her, and is able to live a full and active life.

Lead Reparatory Nurse, Churchill Hospital, Oxford

• Asthma profiles: Healthcare professionals

GP, Oxford

• Asthma profiles: Healthcare professionals

Professor of Environmental & Respiratory Medicine Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine University of Birmingham

• Asthma profiles: Healthcare professionals

Esther, age 41, developed asthma when she was in her 20's but was not properly diagnosed until sometime later, after having her first child. She is white British and lives with her partner and two children. She works as a primary school teacher. It took a while to come to terms with the idea of taking medication on a long term basis. She had a period of time a few years ago when she was very unwell after suffering from pneumonia, but more recently she has felt fit and healthy, and regularly exercises including running and jogging.