My Letter to Oprah

Dear Oprah,

I’d like to bring to your attention a growing population of homeless in the US that are being largely ignored due to unawareness.

We are the environmentally injured with a condition call Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).  We are called Canaries and due to total toxic overload the body becomes unable to filter out trace amounts of toxins and life become difficult to impossible.  Depending on the level of severity some become completely disabled and are unable to work.  Most can not live in their own homes due to intolerance and move from house to house until their savings dry up and many end up living in their cars or tents.  This is a HUGE problem and no one is listening…or believing.

I was injured by toxic mold in my home.  As a result I developed MCS. I was unable to live in my home after the mold abatement and repair work due to my new hypersensitivities.  Any trace amount of exposure renders me unable to function with severe headache, dizziness and head fog, typical for Canaries.  Work became impossible and now simply going to the grocery store is becoming impossible.  In just three short months my life has changed so much. I lived in a beautiful town home and had a meaningful job that I loved.  Since then I’ve moved several times and stayed in places that made me sicker and as I watch my saving dwindle I fight to extend my disability.

People think we are freaks or fanatics and don’t believe how sick we are but this is real.  This is the most isolating condition as being near anyone who is wearing fragrance will set off symptoms so you learn quickly to avoid ALL people.  It is very sad.  My only relationships now are on the phone or internet.

There are literally thousands of folks that are in constant search for safe housing like me.  Intelligent, professional creative wonderful people with much to offer the world living in their cars.  Safe housing means no mould, no recent repairs or renovations with high voc materials and many other requirements depending on ones level of sensitivity.  The most important treatment for MCS is to live in a non toxic environment.  This is the only way we can thrive but so few are able to attain this.

There are many trying to organize communities of mcs safe housing but no one has gotten very far because most Canaries are unemployed and have little resources.

If you are interested in learning more I’d be happy to talk with you. We really need help.

Sincerely
Lorraine Arsenault