This paper applies and extends the 'adaption' perspective on chronic illness by arguing that, in the case of moderate childhood asthma, an important aspect of the process may be found in the ways in which children and parents construct a sense of their ordinariness. It is suggested that medicines may play a role in this process. Reporting an intensive and detailed qualitative study of the management strategies of nine English families, it is shown that household members did not generally regard asthma as a major problem. Regular medication, usually in the form of inhaled drugs, was their main response. Few other strategies were followed and little attention was paid to the non-medicinal preventive actions recommended in asthma management guidelines and educational material. Parents' and children's accounts suggest that they were involved not only in managing a disease but also in maintaining a sense of their own ordinariness. Paradoxically, medicines, especially inhalers, were the main resource for accomplishing this goal because they supported the ordinariness of the child and the family far more readily than other preventive measures.

Background 31 HD-patients reside in one specialized ward of Atlant Care Group. In 2011 a second ward will be added, providing room for 20–30 additional patients. Atlant Care Group investigated the wishes of HD-patients regarding layout and arrangements of the ward, in order to meet their wishes and needs to a greater extent. Aims Right now all HD-patients live in the same ward, forming a mixed population. The main research question is whether current and future HD-patients would prefer a differentiated ward. We investigated the wishes for differentiation according to gender, age, smoking and disease stage. We also asked patients about the need for housing different from a nursing home, with less care and more independence. Method A combination of quantitative and qualitative research was used. 392 questionnaires have been sent to patients residing at home and 20 semi-structured interviews have been conducted among HD-patients who reside in the ward or visit the day care centre. The interviews were held by an independent researcher supported by a speech therapist. Results Response rate is 25% up till now and all interviews have been conducted. Final results are expected by July 2010. So far, most patients prefer a ward where both men and women and people of different ages live. Preference regarding disease stage is not yet clear. Conclusion It now seems that most people do not prefer differentiated wards. On the other hand, a semi-independent housing form is quite popular and thus should be a priority for Atlant Care Group when expanding the HD-ward.