Experts in management of the self often have a long learning history, especially when they have lived with the condition for most of their lives. Penny’s sister, Diane, who also attended the PAR group meetings, said:
These people were experts on their own conditions and responses to illness because their life experiences had informed them about managing the self. These people have seen many asthma management changes, and keeping informed meant that they would be the first to know about better and new ways of managing their condition. In addition to searching for new information herself, He had obviously made decisions for himself, and wanted to encourage others in the PAR group to take responsibility for themselves.
In summary, self-management was about reclaiming the self and regaining full human identity. This meant achieving recognition and support for self-monitoring practices.