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being heard, children, chronic illness, education, environmental illness, fear, fragrance free schools, Fulton, Invisible Illness, Invisible Illness Awareness Week, listening, MCS, School Board, superintendent of schools, teachers, thank you, toxins
I personally do not think anything is more painful than being ignored — or not having your feelings validated. I taught in a science department (mostly men). When I vented about something, they went crazy trying to fix it. My closest work buddies I had to literally “train” them to think like a woman when I vented. That I didn’t need them to go do anything. I needed them to stand and listen. If I was really heard that was all I needed. And THEN if I needed them to do something, I would let them know.
Well for five years, I have been talking at work and few people listened about issues with MCS. I felt great shame as if I wasn’t worthy of being listened to. The last few Board of Education Meetings, I spoke out about synthetic fragrances and their toxicity. I asked that they be removed from our schools.
Today I felt heard — coincidentally on the first day of Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. I met with the superintendent of schools this morning. He told me this issue is a now a priority in the district.
We hear in the news all the time about diabetes. This is a serious illness. I have low blood sugar, I get the seriousness. I also have MCS. Which do you hear more about?
Diabetes affects ~6% of the population. MCS ~16% of the population has been diagnosed with. I emphasized diagnosed because I had MCS for twenty years before a doctor actually noted MCS on my chart as a diagnosis.
This week I will be writing about my experiences with MCS. I am pleased to be able to start with a positive note. Educating an entire school district about an invisible illness, may seem like a daunting task, but the resolution of ALL issues start with listening. And today after five years, I felt heard.
This will not take away my disability from MCS. BUT it is a huge step toward making sure kids are not deprived of having a healthy, full life because someone sitting next to them in class knowingly or unknowingly is wearing scented products that are made legally with undisclosed toxic chemicals.
Thank you for listening.
Life in the City with a Future 
OH- COLLEEN— YOUR POST MADE ME CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEARS ARE SPLASHING OFF MY KEYBOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS TOTALLY AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE– FOR SOOOOOO MANY PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! ((((((((((((((((((((((( HUGS))))))))))))))))))))) THANK YOU FROM ALL OF US WHO SUFFER FROM MCS!!!! AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU & I PERSONALLY THINK– THE NUMBERS ARE HUGE WITH PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM MCS— BUT THEY ARE NOT REPORTED AS MOST MD’S DON’T REPORT THE CASES OF MCS– & SOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY OF US HAVE TURNED TO ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE!!! AND MANY DON’T EVEN REALIZE THEIR HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE MCS!!!!!!!! I HEAR FROM HUNDREDS & HUNDREDS OF MCS SISTERS– THROUGH E-MAILS & HAVE FOR MANY YEARS– & THAT IS THE REASON I STARTED MY BLOG!!! THERE ARE THOUSANDS & THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ALL AGES WHO SUFFER FROM MCS!!!!!!!!!!! AGAIN THANKS!!!!
Thank you. I meditate and have asked for years, not why do I deserve this, because no one does, but why am I going through this? I always got the same answer, “It’s for the greater good.” I had a really bad weekend with my MCS and my migraine is horrible, so I don’t think until I read your comment that I realized the enormity of today’s conversation. I know it will take months to write policy, get Board approval and educate and implement procedures, but as Lao-tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Today I told the superintendent of schools that we need to educate our kids, staff, parents about the toxicity in fragrances. I also told him that I got my passport and this was supposed to be my summer to go to Ireland. A moment ago, I looked at the stat for my blog. I had my first visitor from: Ireland. Thank you for the visit. I may not be able to get on a plane and go there, but it touched my heart and soul seeing the Irish Flag on this of all days.
YOU GO GIRL—YOU ARE SPEAKING FOR THOUSANDS OF US WHO KNOW WE HAVE MCS & THOUSANDS MORE WHO DON’T HAVE A CLUE THAT THE TOXIC CHEMICALS & FRAGRANCES ARE THEIR CAUSE FOR THEIR HEALTH PROBLEMS!!! YOU ARE SPEAKING FOR ALL THOSE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT GIVEN A CHOICE ABOUT BEING EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS!!!
(HOPE YOUR HEADACHE IS BETTER– AS YOU CAN SEE– BY MY ALL CAPS AGAIN TODAY– I HAVE HAD ONE OF THOSE FOR SEVERAL DAYS NOW & CAN’T SEE AGAIN!!!) THANKS FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO EDUCATE!!!! SUPER PROUD OF YOU!!!! 🙂
Reblogged this on sondasmcschatter.
Wow. You are making a difference. You will never know how many people will benefit because you were willing to speak up. Your credibility with the school system probably made a huge difference.
Thanks. Fragrances are eventually going to be like smoking, banned in all public places. I’m glad my district is willing to be proactive and look into writing policy to make the changes now. People should take notice when the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has a fragrance policy, maybe the stuff shouldn’t be used. Period! The Board of Education will have to approve whatever policy is written, but having the superintendent make it a priority is, I agree, HUGE!