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Mama Didn't Know
Inspired by Hooker Oak Elementary 2000-2001 KMAC Kids
The Mama Didn't Know story was created by the KMAC Kids 2000-2001
, with special thanks to Bruce Baldwin, John Sweet, Molly Sweet, Beth Koch, Sheryl Clark, and Helen Deatsch. KMAC stands for: Kids Making A Connection, Health &
the Environment; the Mama Didn't Know book was made possible by funds received from the Tobacco Tax Health Protection Act of 1988, Proposition 99, under Grant Number 99-85267 with the California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section. California Smokers Helpline -800-NO-BUTTS. KMAC activities were originally supported by an NIEHS grant in K-12 environmental health science education, "Toxrap" Network. You can learn more about NIEHS educational grant programs at the NIEHS K-12 Teacher Enhancement and Development, Environmental Health Sciences K-12 Education Grants materials, and the NIEHS K-12 Initiatives websites.
Mama Didn't Know (the story)
Mama didn't know that I was born small, because she smoked cigarettes when I was still inside her. She just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that I would get sick a lot, because my lungs didn't like the chemicals from her cigarette smoke.
She sang sweet songs and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that even when she didn't smoke, I could still smell the chemicals from her cigarettes in her hair and on her clothes.
She hugged me tight and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that when she smoked, my ears filled up with fluid. I had ear infectins that really hurt. I cried!
She rocked me tenderly and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that when I had to go to the hospital, it was because our house was filled with tobacco smoke and I couldn't breathe. It's scary to have asthma.
She prayed by my bed all night and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that when I went to school, the kids said I smelled bad. I told Mama they didn't want to sit by me.
She held my hand and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that the smoke from her cigarettes made me feel yucky. Most mornings my head hurt and my tummy ached.She gently stroked my head and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that when she smoked in the car I felt sick and sad. Sometimes I felt dizzy. She buckled me in and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that her smoking made my eyes hurt. She said I looked handsome in my new glasses and just loved me with all her heart.
Mama didn't know that the chemicals from the smoke in her cigarettes could make our whole family sick.
But now she does! Mama quit smoking, and I promised not to ever start.
And I love her with all my heart!
Meet the 2000-2001 KMAC Kids
NIEHS Story Index
Other KMAC stories featured by NIEHS:
Crabby Kathy
What Could It Be Beverly?
Water, the Never Ending Story
Bradley and the Bad PB
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