We are all across the country. Myself, not having a choice but to live in the nightmare has taken my life to destruction. Landlords have a choice whether to remediate the inhabitable home you had chose to live in. Landlords did not tell me that I was moving into an unsafe, unhealthy apartment that would turn my life and physical health into destruction. Denial is a serious issue as we all know to well. Why don't landlord's have to seek professional help when they are in denial? They are human just as we are, but are not faced with professionals telling them the toxic mold that you claim is affecting your health does not exist even though proven.
Many of us have nowhere to turn. There are so many victim's that will lose hope and simply give up. This does not need to happen. I couldn't imagine my children or grandchildren or any of my loved ones living the toxic illness nightmare that I am and have been faced with for over one year. Toxic molds and/or mycotoxins can cause death. There are children that will suffer or die from toxic mold because molds do not discriminate, they attack anyone, at any given time.
How many have to die before the truth comes out? People all over this country are losing their homes, health and careers due to toxic mold.
I do know that everyone has a purpose in life, and my purpose is to include working to educate people about the adverse effects of toxic mold while trying to give them hope, courage and inspiration for us to get the untold truths regarding toxic molds that attack our bodies and to be instrumental in getting laws incorporated that will give us the medical and financial assistance that so many of us deserve.
I feel that the liable parties (landlords, building owners, etc.) should be held responsible for their lack of action. This is why we all must work together for the good of all the mold victim's involved. Get our stories out into the public and political sectors of how our lives's have been destroyed by toxins from our homes, workplace, or schools. Write to the "Letter to the Editor" of our local paper, call our state reps, write to congress, report any signs of molds and illness to local boards of health and state board of health, write to the CDC, the EPA make them listen that we all do exist. They need to be told we are taking a stand for what we believe in, we are speaking out. Don't take no for an answer, even if they say they don't handle this type of issue. If we have enough victim's telling our tragic life since affected by molds, then they might start listening to us. People in numbers is what makes the difference, this is why we need all of us to speak out. Enough is Enough.....I don't want to die, do you or your loved one
I thank everyone out there that is taking a stand for all mold victims. Molds cause very real diseases that are debilitating and this needs to be recognized. There are physicians who publicly support us all, and I appreciate this from the bottom of my heart. For those in the medical fields that are dis-believers and choose to ignore our illnesses from these toxins, please listen to us, and learn from us.
I am not living this way for the recognition for myself, I do not have a choice. I don't enjoy seeing my children watch me deteriorate before their eyes, I do not enjoy that I am to ill to play with my grandchildren, or have them spend the night with their grandma that has to breath from oxygen.
I watch all of my dreams, and ways of life become a toxic nightmare.
Please, LISTEN to what we are saying......... We need medical professionals, government agencies, insurance companies, media, politicians along with those friends and family members that disbelieve the truths of how ill we are from these toxins, OPEN THEIR EYES AND LISTEN WITH THEIR EARS, MOST OF ALL GAIN KNOWLEDGE. Please take the time to learn about this illness. There are so many of us that need your support!
MOLD IN THE BIBLE
In biblical times, the awareness of people on this matter appears to have been superior to today.
Leviticus, Chapter 14: 39 - 47
"On the seventh day the priest shall return to inspect the house. If the mildew has spread on the walls, he is to order that the contaminated stones be torn out and thrown into an unclean place outside the town. If the mildew reappears in the house after the stones have been torn out and the house is scraped and plastered, it is a destructive mildew and the house is unclean. It must be torn down - its stones, timbers and all the plaster - and taken out of town."
Leviticus 14:45
A house desecrated by mildew, mold, or fungus would be a defiled place to live in, so dramatic measures had to be taken
My first and utmost passions are my children and grand children.
I currently have a strong mind set for activism with the many people across the states that have become very sick from toxic indoor molds, etc., whether it be from thier homes, schools, or work place.
Thank you for speaking out. You're right. This is a serious health issue and it is rapidly taking lives of people all over the country. I had no idea before being diagnosed with mold and trichothecene poisoning, how widespread this illness is.
And not only do we fight to survive the illness, but we must fight mainstream medicine..with physicians telling us mold can't make us sick. They are so wrong. When a mold produces a mycotoxin..a toxin is poison. Many times, like in our case, it's as a stealth..we never saw visble mold..yet the vapors of this agent were invading our lungs, organs and eventually our blood.
Yes, even in the Bible they knew how dangerous these toxins are. It's reported Saddam Hussein used these toxins on his people. How can physicians turn people who are so sick away? When I think of a child going thru this pain it really infuriates me. We had to abandon our possessions and start our lives all over becuase the toxic mold was so bad.
Many of the agencies designed to protect us..do nothing to help us. The home that has confirmed VERY toxic levels of this deadly agent..it has a young family in it with a little girl. Tho' I've turned this report of many toxigenic molds AND the toxic agent trichothecene (Roridin A) over to every agency..it appears I'm the only one concerned with this little girls life. No one can get them out of the home? That's not making sense to me. The health dept sent them a certified letter..but that's all they can do..the other agencies have done nothing..
And landlords? He has no concern for waht happened to us and obviuosly doesn't care if this family is also made very sick.
Where do we turn? We must just keep telling our true stories, and speaking out even if we stand alone..and trust God and pary the right people will take notice.
Mold-induced illnesses can make one a prisoner of their own body..Insurance Companies like Grange Mutual in our case..but I'm sure others as well..they are a disgrace to Corporate America.. to put greed over the human suffering.. they KNOW, yet concealed info, lied to us and allowed us to lose everything and go without medical care, that we so badly need..
You hang in there and keep speaking out. You know we're behind you all the way. You are in my prayers. God bless you.
Iris & Tlee
by
iris harden (8 articles, 6 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 16 comments)
on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 9:40:28 AM
I thank you for replying Iris. There are many many victim's of toxic mold out there, especially one in particular, Marcie McGovern from Fortworth, Texas who is literally dying because she lost her medical insurance, Cobra, and can't get her IVIG infusions to keep her alive from being exposed to toxic molds from her work place. Marcie has 14 different types of toxic molds in her blood, that are all high levels. Marice's information is well documented by highly known physicians. I have been searching the internet in trying to see if there are some organizations out there that can help save Marcie's life. There are 300 people in my building complex, who have molds and water intrusion coming through the walls and no one has come to our aid. Thank God that you have people from your church and others that have donated gift cards, etc. to replace the belongings that you had lost. Marcie is unable to contact the outside world through the internet or to help her to get resources for her illness due to the fact she has no computer. I wish there were someway we could find an organization or someone that might have an extra computer to donate it to her. Iris, you are lucky to have been given an extra computer, that way you and Tlee both can work together at the same time having two computers, in getting your stories out to the public, and give you the ability to do some research. I need to help Marcie, she has no strength to go to libraries (which have mold) to do research or to tell her life threatening story. I have personally seen Marcie's before, during, and after exposure pictures, and you would not know that they are the same person. Police officers that have known her for many years, do not even recognize her. You are very blessed in getting the help and donations that you are asking for. So many across the states are not that fortunate. The public has seen your story posted on many sites, and now it is time for us to publish on our sites, the tragic true life stories from the other mold victim's in hope's that they will be heard, and get the help that they need. We all need to pray for the other mold victim's, as I pray for the 300 people in my complex, in which some of them have illnesses caused from these toxins that are coming out of walls, and breathing them in from the central air/heating systems. God Bless us all. My prayers and moral support goes out to all the mold victims across the country.
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 10:33:09 AM
I encourage all mold victim's that have medical documentation for these proven illnesses to post their stories (that have been diagnosed by physician's). We need to tell all of our stories so that the public, medical community, political sectors, insurance companies, etc. can see how this has affected people nation wide.
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 10:53:34 AM
Marcie McGovern, the mold victim that I had spoke about in a recent comment, is not asking for any money, she just wants her IVIG infusions of 78 grams every four weeks, so that she can live and have the chance of a healthier life, with that and her treatment from Dr. Alfred Johnson she might be able to leave her home for more than 30 minutes at a time. Also, would appreciate free dental work like Iris Harden is receiving, due to the fact that the molds have shattered her back left molar, leaving pieces of teeth and a hole in its place. She also wishes that every mold victim that has had problems with their teeth could have the same. Marcie and I would like to personally thank all the people, physicians, dentist, etc that have helped Iris and pray to God other mold victim's could get the same gerousity.
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 11:15:27 AM
My heart too goes out to Marcie and all who are sick from molds/mycotoxins. I'm thankful for Sickbuilding and the support they give to so many people. I wish I knew who could get her those infusions she needs..
Darlene, I am indeed grateful for ANY help I've been given. My church never gave us any gift cards or money.. but they did give us a roof over our heads for over 2 months of the 10 or so we were homeless. and they gave us prayers and hope. Darlene, they also gave us a used but very clean bed and dresser. Oh, I also am thankful they gave me 50.00 to help Kim get that live cell analysis done, when i had mine a few weeks ago. that was nice of them.
Other than that, we were finally able to go buy a small dinette from Walmarts for 99.00. At least it's a small little table. I miss all the antiques and furniture, many were from my grandma, our music studio and so much we had to leave .. I would like to have a sofa and some chairs and things but I'm sure we'll get some furniture again one day. I'm just glad to have a home again. Tho' it's pretty bare looking, this is finally a nice and clean apartment. It's real quiet here and the people are nice.
Darlene, my teeth have been cracking and hurting since 2003. 3 abcesses and 2 front teeth just fell out because of the mycotoxins. Yes, I had another abcess (the 4th) and was just going to have all my teeth pulled a few weeks ago, for they hurt so bad and we just don't have any funds for much of anything other than just barely getting by
. I was blessed that a dentist friend of mine who I used to go to church with offered to fix my abcess and upper front teeth knowing I had very little to pay him. I still have many cracked teeth and many that need much work but at least my top front teeth won't hurt or look so bad and I can start to smile again.
I wish I knew how to help Marcie get her treatments. I have a paper to send her of a place that will help her get her antifungal prescriptions, I'm pretty sure. I called them about her. twice. Marcie's Dr. just has to sign the papers. I am so sorry They took Marice's cobra. I sure hope they will reinstate it. She is such a nice lady and she deserves to be taken care of for her injuires. Like most of us, we didn't do this to oursleves
Like marcie, I know it's very hard not to have any medical benefits at all. I'm thankful I got treatments, weekly IVs and supplements for several months. But I do not have any medical coverage and have not been able to get treatment at all in over 4 months other than just taking Sporanox..but that's scary because you need your liver functions monitored when on this amount of Sporanox. I'm glad you have medical benefits Darlene..at least you can get medication or go to the doctor whenever you need to.
I am so sorry for your situation. I think it's horrible that they will not really fix your building by doing proper remediation. It's not fair to you or even the people there who know nothing about the mold. they could be getting sick and not even realize why. But I'm sure the owners know. You've had a lot of courage to stand up to them. I pray that something happens and that you will be in a safe place soon. I'm so sorry for your health problems, Darlene. I really care about you.
One of the local hospitals told me about an indogent care sort of program that may cover ER visits...I'll find out more next week..
Yes, a lady gave me a computer to work on our music and the mold issue. She had just bought a brand new one and really wanted me to be able to have a computer I could work with. The other computer tlee uses is very old and so slow, but it's better than nothing. (Tlee is really not doing well, and even tho he does have medicare he has gotten no medical care at all..I am REALLY scared for him...No treatment and he was diagnosed by geneitc testing last July..I've watched him go downhill while he tried to take care of me, too.) .. this computer has got to be cleaned..it won't work sometimes, as it's memory was almost full when the lady gave it to me...I'm so slow on a computer anyhow..it takes me forever to get anything done even on a fast computer.
I'll try to reach Marcie,and just fax that prescription thing to her..it may help her with some of her medicines. I think those infusions are very expensive but if they gave her the cobra back..that would be a blessing..and one she deserves..
Darlene Berube - I know you have compassion. We know what the pain of mold feels like. tho' it may affect us all differently, at different times, it's devastating. It hurts to see Marcie and Tlee not getting treatment. I know I need treatment too, but with no medical there's not much i can do about it
. I talked to 3 other new people that are sick from mold this week. It's sad. and I tried to give Kim a place to stay and talk to her if she needs someone. I hate to see her hurt. I know how bad it feels and to lose special things and even people in your life..it's hard. I'm glad I can be a friend to her.
God bless you Darlene.
Iris Harden
by
iris harden (8 articles, 6 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 16 comments)
on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at 11:37:41 PM
Iris, With the posts here, my point being for the mold victim's, by getting any kind of donation due to our illnesses or our living environment's lacking the essentials to be fully comfortable, I would think would give others a hope that there are people out there that are willing to help us, whether it be a church, neighbor, doctor or dentist. I think with others knowing this,especially some that do want give up and don't think there is help out there, this give's them a great example knowing that there is. I am very greatful you have received some help,. and sets a great example for others. Keep up the great work you are doing, the more stories we get out there the more we are heard. Take care and God Bless, Darlene
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 6:56:40 AM
Please ! don't get me wrong, or interpret my comments as unsupportive, whilst I sympathise with any Ill person, I'm a little mystified indeed, that there are people around, (who by the comments here) are unaware of the dangers mould poses to health.
Seriously folks, this is not a recent development, and as far as I'm aware, has been known for generations. What I do see as a NEW development, is the responsability for the removal and control of said mould outbreaks, being passed on to others, instead of the people who live in the domicile and are the first handers being in a position to deal with the outbreak.
From where I sit, there is no reason that I can see, for mould being allowed to establish itself long enough and to the extent it begins to pose a danger to human health. For cryin out loud, haven't people ever heard of FRESH AIR, SUNSHINE and lastly chemical treatments to destroy the mould before it multiplies ?
I don't believe it's the responsabilities of land lords or any health dept to deal with such issues, clearly, the first responders are the tennants or home owners being familiar and in majority of cases, CONTROL of environment within said domicile, so at the very first sign, IMHO, it is THEIR own responsability to act to HALT in it's tracks any outbreak. To leave it to multiply and assert it's someone's elses responsability, is in my opinion, the height of foolishness and a gamble with your own health.
To then claim later, after infection has set in, that others should respond and clean up the outbreak and cover incurred medical costs, is ludicrous.
There are very cheap ways and means to control mould, these have been around all my lifetime and even before that, why people in America seem to be unawares of this, I cannot understand, maybe some enlightenment could be given by someone to help me out here ?
by
Eddy Schmid (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 192 comments)
on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 5:53:56 AM
Itchyvet, first of all I want to thank you for making a comment to the article and mold victim's in general. We are well aware of the dangers of toxic molds and this being one reason as to why I posted this article. Many of us want the public, etc., to recognise just how these toxins impacted our lives dangerously. Many of us did not know that our homes, apartments, workplaces, or schools were unsafe for us to be in, let alone live in, like myself. When I had rented my apartment, signed into a lease, was well unaware that there were hidden dangers such as toxic molds that could make me very ill, and might even kill me. I was not told by my landlord that there were toxic molds in the building, and most of all that they were in my central air/heating system. I became aware of the situation when I had started becoming ill and the doctor's couldn't at first figure out why my health was deteriorating so fast. For someone that never had a respiratory illness, going from a cough to asthma, allergies to the toxic molds, COPD (recent diagnosis), having to breath with an oxygen tank, with many other effects from the molds, which is proven medically and my son hiring a professional mycologist to test my HVAC system confirming the toxic molds, I don't know how it could not be up to the building owners or landlords to have the issue at hand professionally remediated. After I had moved in here, is when I started hearing some of the tenants saying that molds were growing out of their walls. Now if molds are growing out of the walls, it would be a temporary fix to just wash them off. Using some chemicals might also be of grave concern for the person if they have Multiple Chemicle Sensitivities. If you have the moisture, condensation or the water intrusion this is where the problem starts, and if this is on a constant basis like it is here with pipes bursting, windows leaking, roof leaking and the correct temperature for the molds to feed off then I would say this is a building owners/landlords issue to solve. We do not need temporary fixes, we need a permanent one. Some tell us to move out, well it is not as easy as it sounds. When you for an example: disabled or elderly and living on a fixed income, have no family to live with, etc,. then one does not have a choice but to live in that home/apartment. It is not just a quick wash of the wall that gets rid of the molds that are growing inside, or an easy fix with the HVAC system, this needs to be handled professionally when you have this much water intrusion and mold in a building of this stature (9 floors high). This is why in my opinion this should be up to the owners/landlords to have this remediation completed. I like I am sure many of us, that have been made very ill from these toxins, was more than likely unaware of that they existed whether it be from their homes/apartment, workplace or school. I would have never moved into a place or worked at a place if I knew it had toxic molds in the building that could make me very ill. I am sure you can understand where I am coming from, like many others. I hope I have made this a little clearer for you. It is not our faults we got ill from these toxins. This is one thing that I had no say in, it was not by choice. Please feel free to reply or ask questions if I wasn't clear with my opinion and as to my reasoning about building owners/landlords should take the responsibility to remediate a toxic mold problem. Thank you, and God Bless. Darlene
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 10:00:22 AM
Mr. Itchyvet: I am sorry you look at this problem from only one point of view. Let me share another with you.
The rental home my wife and I moved into was neat and clean as a pin. Even when we were at our worst with the mold problem, there was NONE VISABLE. It was from old leaks in the attic, which had molded the insulation, where there is NO sunlight, LITTLE fresh air, and continued to morph into what eventually tested out to be trychothecene micotoxins. Invisible, and the vapor can pass thru walls, wood, vinyl. If you are unfamiliar with this species, look up yellow rain, or just trychothecene poison. Since there was nothing visible, we had no idea what was going on. We looked up fiberglas insulation, since there was a leak in the livingroom ceiling for nine months the landlord ignored, we looked up asbestos, and all this time the medical community here in the Augusta area denied there was any problem. So because of this comedy of errors, we were exposed to the micotoxins for 21 months. We didn't actually find out what was wrong until we had moved out for six months. To suggest that this problem was mine or my wife's fault and we should have handled it ourselves is REALLY ludicrus. You obviously have no knowledge of this problem and how widespread and dangerous it is. If you'd care to see the results of this exposure, go to www.myspace.com/faceoftoxicmold . You'll see it's not as simple as washing a bathroom wall. Thanks for your time,
Thomas M. Brooks
Iris R. Brooks ( Harden )
by
TLee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 1:52:37 AM
Tlee, Thank you very much for your post. I think people should actually look up how to remediate walls and HVAC systems also. There are many sites out there with some great information, and knowledge. It is not our fault, we have some building owners/landlords who neglect to tell us we are moving into a dangerous home/apartment. I know with like here, usually one apartment is empty, they rent it out again as soon as possible, like right away. Like I had stated here also, the mold was here long before I had moved into here, and it was well known to the property manager and her staff. This is not fair to any of us. I feel especailly hurt, knowing this place just keeps on renting to elderly/handicapped or elderly, ones with compromised immune systems, etc. They have to own up to the problem of severity, and what they are doing to us, this mold can and will kill people. Darlene
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 7:08:40 AM
People that move into rental, subsidized homes/apartments, or are in their work place, or schools that they attend, do not own the property. The occupants of these buildings are not professional remdiators, much less drywallers so therefore if someone doesn't understand that I or others feel it if up to landlords/owners of these buildings especially after a numerous amount of complaints have been made, and once the complaint has been made it being their property, they need to take immediate action. For a clearer understanding of mold remediation, I suggest to anyone, go on to the epa.gov website. If anyone has any responses, please feel free to do so. Thank you, Darlene
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 4:56:25 PM
This article is for Victim's of Toxic Mold True Life Stories
My intentions of posting this article was to encourage many from across the states that are truly ill from these deadly toxins to have the chance to speak out.
Tell us about how toxic molds have affected your life whether it be from home, work, or where you attend school. Ask questions, or write to my email if you don't want to post here. Also there is a fabulous health group on yahoo where you can learn about these illnesses, ask questions, and the the overwhelming amount of support. The group is wonderful, and I have met some very nice people on there, and they have helped me tremendously. www.sickbuildings@yahoogroups.com Go on and check it out. Once again, the group is great support system, and a wealth of knowledge.
Thank you and God Bless, Darlene
dsb06@yahoo.com
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 9:37:34 AM
My Articles are for Mold Victim's to their Stories
Please do not post anything that promotes the sale of articles, or something that will be of harm to anyone that is ill from mold exposure. I welcome comments regarding my article and text in my articles. Please no victimizing the ones that are ill, and no personal attacks against them. We are here to get our stories told, and to help those that are ill, not hinder or interfere or lessen what they tell us.
Get the truths out about how molds have affected your live's. Post question's or comments about toxic molds only, and your stories. Please keep to the issue at hand.
Thank you and God Bless,
Darlene
by
dsb (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 2:01:45 PM
