Support someone with environmental sensitivities/multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)

Environmental sensitivity/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a disabling, chronic condition that is always life-changing and devastating for the person who is affected by it. This is probably one condition, where the daily management and the good state of health of the person with MCS, are strongly dependent on the choices and actions of people around them and also those that they encounter in their daily lives.

Therefore, your role as a professional, caregiver, parent, spouse, child, or friend of the MCS sufferer is vital to have a positive outcome, or not!

You have the power to reduce or eliminate the disability and make the MCS sufferer’s life bearable and even productive, or you can also increase the disability, which ultimately can lead to distressing conditions such as isolation and poverty.

That should be an easy choice for anyone to make!

However, from our past experience helping people suffering from MCS, we can say with confidence, that there can be roadblocks to providing adequate help and care. Often there is the belief of ‘personal choices’, wanting to carry on with old patterns and behaviours, needing to be like others who are well, identifying healthy changes as being ‘out there’ and ‘not with it’… and you know, this list could be endless if you are convinced you should not have to help your friend, loved one or a person seeking your help.

It is with sadness that we see traumatic events such as parents shunning their children and labeling them – because they feel that they are ‘wasting‘ their lives ‘pretending’ to be ill. That is heartbreaking for us to watch. We have even witnessed grown-up children putting their parent on the street all because the parent had severe symptoms from exposure to perfumes and cigarette smoke. The effects of misdiagnosing this illness as a psychological condition can be devastating for the sufferer, since this results in loss of support within the family, the workplace, and society.

Stop and think! We are talking about someone’s life here. Just because you do not react to substances and you do not feel the effects of the symptoms that follow, should not lead you to automatically assume that it is not real.

Here is what a person with multiple chemical sensitivities needs to be able to function and thrive:

Recognition of this medical condition
A diagnosis from a medical professional
Appropriate medical care
Adequate accommodation in the workplace, at home, and in the community
Benefits when jobs are lost – insurance and or other government benefits
Support, help, and understanding from everyone, including and especially family members
Go fragrance-free and eliminate anything that is reported to make the person have symptoms.
Be kind, caring, and inclusive of people suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities. Just like any other illness, it is not their fault that they are ill.

Let us bring to you two real stories of two young women. Both developed MCS after pesticide exposures. You can see for yourself the positive outcomes when there is support, and the downward spiral when there is no support.

ASEQ-EHAQ Members’ Stories Illustrating Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Issues
“Marie” 29-year-old financial management student At age 14 – sudden onset of many symptoms in multiple body systems Parents and brother also had some similar, some different symptoms	“Sophie” 26-year-old disabled former physiotherapist At age 22, sudden onset of severe symptoms after a game of golf
Subsequent chronic symptoms: Fatigue, lethargy Heightened sense of smell Difficulty concentrating and remembering Sinus irritation Bloating, constipation, diarrhea Cold extremities, low blood pressure Muscle/joint pain	Subsequent chronic symptoms: Severe fatigue Dizziness Skin rashes, burning sensation Burning red eyes with dark circles Dyspepsia, bloating, diarrhea Low blood pressure
Symptoms worse on exposure to many petrochemicals, including perfumed products After 3 years, blood tests showed elevated chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals Neighbour frequently sprayed lindane and other pesticides on lawn and garden Parents researched and found appropriate, timely medical help	Symptoms worse on exposure to many petrochemicals, including perfumed products Later learned the golf course had been sprayed with two fungicides that day Doctors could not agree on the diagnosis Told it was “all in her head” Referred for psychiatric care, which did not help
Health Care
Medical/Nutritional Help Included: Advice to avoid pesticides and petrochemical products at home, and to reduce airborne exposure to other common incitants such as dust, mould Neighbours were asked (with help of a physician) to stop using pesticides and agreed Organic food Vitamins and minerals orally and intravenously Chelation of heavy metals Detoxification assisted with sauna and exercise Individualized immunotherapy	No Medical/Nutritional Help: Parents asked, but neighbours refused to stop using pesticides Became homeless and still cannot find a safe place to live Was not accommodated in her workplace Hence was forced to leave her job Battled unsuccessfully with authorities regarding diagnosis, insurance, and disability Parents are extremely worried and have used most of their energy trying to help her on their own
Workplace Accommodations
Perfume-free environment (did not extend to visitors) Air purifier “Eco”-cleaning products Organic plants (no pesticides) Worked from home if unwell and when office was renovated All “eco”- renovations	All requests were refused She was ridiculed and ganged up on Excessive perfume was used on purpose People were angry and told her it was “all in her head”
Current Health Status
Was disabled for two years, unable to study or leave the house without getting very ill Symptoms gradually improved Now able to study, work and travel, but needs a safe place to live to maintain her health by avoiding exposure to known and suspected symptom-triggering agents Returned to school, graduating in financial management (career path changed due to her illness)	Symptoms are worsening Triggering substances (sensitivities) have spread from petrochemicals to multiple foods, moulds, and electromagnetic radiation She remains disabled, unable to practice her loved profession for which she studied many years Very low morale, living from day to day, unable to see her life into the future
Financial Issues
None of her treatments were covered under any health plan Her bills had to be paid by her parents Federal income tax refused deductions for nutritional therapy However, after graduation, she is able to work and support herself, and to live independently, having found safe housing	Her savings are long gone Her parents can no longer support her financially She survives on welfare She remains homeless

You can see how Marie is doing well in life now. She is not a burden to the social system and is a productive tax-paying citizen. On the other hand, Sophie still remains in a sad situation and has to be on social assistance to survive.

If you are in need of help to resolve issues surrounding multiple chemical sensitivities, kindly contact us, and we will do our best to help you.