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OpEdNews

Original Content at http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=5551
January 10, 2008

MCS - A Real Disease

By iris harden

MCS affects millions of Americans with debilitating illness. Just
because you don't understand something doesn't mean it isn't real.

Remember, just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it
doesn't exist. If someone mentions to you they have an environmental
illness, sickbuilding syndrome, multiple chemical senstivity or mold
poisoning, take them serious.  Most who suffer from such illnesses
already feel hesitant to talk about it because people often look at us
like we have a big spot on our forehead.  Surely, we are making a
great big deal out of some little allergy!  Nothing could be further
from the truth.

The Social Security Administration, The American with Disabilties Act,
EPA and Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and other agencies
recognize MCS.  Over 36.5 million Americans are chemically sensitive,
and more than 5.2 million are at risk of losing their jobs as a
result.  Yet this most devastating illness is poorly understood or
accepted in the real world.

It's hard to explain this affliction in a way that others can really
understand how serious it is. It's chronic and can be life-
threatening.  We have to be very aware of our surroundings and need
people to respect our disability the same as if we had any other
illness.  We are very real people with a very REAL illness.  Most of
us end up with MCS, multiple chemical sensitivity, as a result of a
single exposure to a highly toxic chemical or a long-term chronic
exposure.  I have a good friend with mcs due to an exposure to
toulene.  Yet in our case, we were chronically exposed to numerous
molds and dangerous mycotoxins, trichothecene and aflatoxins.

As we inhale, absorb and ingest these poisons our whole body is
affected.  Our immune system breaks down, our cells are damaged and we
have multiple organ damage.  At this time, we know of no cure. The
effects of MCS are never identical in any two people.  Our genetics
and bodies are all different.  There is no exact pattern.

My physician said mcs is well recognized in the environmental
community as the spreading phenomenon.   The initial chemical triggers
a biological reaction mechanism which causes the body to react to a
wide range of substances that never seemed to bother us before.  These
can be air fresheners, pesticides, cleaning products, perfumes and so
many other things.  Sometimes we can't predict how we'll react to
what.  Often we don't even know what it was that caused the reaction.

We often appear to look perfectly normal.  We are often told, "but you
don't look sick!"  People, often even family and friends,  feel our
symptoms are highly exaggerated.   Sometimes we get an immediate
reaction.  Other times we seem to suffer a delayed reaction to an
exposure.

What others might perceive as a minor exposure to inks, paints, smoke,
perfumes, carpet cleaners, exhaust fumes, electrical fields,
electromagnetic fields and other agents can steal all quality of life
for days or weeks.  We can even lose our life!  Obvious and immediate
reactions can be headache, naseau, pin-hole pupils, seizures, muscular
pain, mental confusion, slurred speech, loss of voice and lack of
coordination.  Delayed reactions can include longer-term neurological
impairment, respiratory malfunction, bloodshot eyes, choking,
insomnia and severe chest pain among other things.

With very few physicians who understand this illness and many who even
deny its' existence they often try to treat symptoms with antidotes
that can further break down our immune system and do us no good at
all.  The cycle continues.  Our body gets weaker and weaker.

We get where it takes smaller and smaller exposures to cause an
adverse reaction.  We become even more hypersensitive.   It seems like
everywhere we go something makes us sick.  We have no control over
it.

We stay in a state of turmoil.  One day we appear halfway normal, then
out of nowhere we have a severe reaction.  We did not choose to have
this illness and we know it's hard for others to comprehend.  We
couldn't even understand it ourselves until we felt it taking place
over and over again. Many of us had no idea what was even happening to
us.  Our sense of smell is so keen.  All we ask is to show us the same
respect you would show others who are disabled or suffer a chronic
illness.

If we tell you certain products and chemicals bother us, please know
that we have already seen what these things do to us.  We never forget
the pain inflicted by these chemicals.

We are being straight with you.  We really can't tolerate certain
things!  If you care about us, please take us seriously!  You may
somehow think if you tell us you're not wearing scented perfume or
hide the fact Pest Control just sprayed your house with pesticides
that we probably be okay.  It doesn't work that way.  It's not the
smell that makes us sick.   It's the biological action of the
chemicals on a sensitized brain and body.

You really are playing with our life when you don't try to avoid using
these products around us. We know the world is not going to change for
us.  Yet we don't want to live in a bubble.  We want to be around the
people we love.  If you really care, please realize how serious this
issue really is.

Authors Website: http://www.myspace.com/faceoftoxicmold

Authors Bio:
Songwriter, musician, missionary, Iris and her husband Tlee were
poisoned by toxic mold & a known deadly agent,trichothecene. Forced to
abandon home & worldly possessions they had no idea they were
inhaling, absorbing and ingesting an invisible, yet deadly mycotoxin
that could destroy their health.

ABC News, EMagazine, Healthy Living and many other publications shared
their story in an effort to educate the public.

As they battle their own tragedy, they are determined to help victims
get proper medical care and assistance. Iris arranged the 1st mold
health seminar in her area last month. Support Group meeting are being
planned.

Music is what remains of a life once shared. Just before diagnosis,
they released a heartfelt 911 tribute CD, Surviving the Storms,
Truckin' On and other songs of hope and inspiration.

Iris is involved in getting Mold Clinics started where those with this
horrible illness will be able to get treatment. Iris will help you to
the best of her ability. She has faith that God is still in control
and miracles still happen.