Monthly Archives: April 2013

Allergy or Sensitivity?

place setting

Foods, chemicals, and other substances can cause disturbing, disabling, or even        life threatening symptoms.

Something to consider when trying to determine if you have allergies or sensitivities to foods is whether or not they are organic, conventional, or GMOs. Also, as a couple of recent studies revealed, many foods are chemically contaminated with BPA and phthalates (and probably other chemicals that weren’t tested for), so if a person also has chemical “sensitivities”, getting to the bottom of what is causing any number of symptoms can be challenging, especially with the delayed symptoms that are becoming so common these days.

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“You Are a Guinea Pig”

We all are!

Three articles that crossed my path today illustrate the challenges we face (trying to stay healthy) while alive. Of course there are more issues, (like fracking, GMOs and processed food) but these three are more than enough to show us that “lifestyle choices” are not enough to keep us healthy.

This article  by David Rosner and Gerald Markowitz is a must read!

You Are a Guinea Pig

How Americans Became Exposed to Biohazards in the Greatest Uncontrolled Experiment Ever Launched

“The culprit behind this silent killer is lead.  And vinyl.  And formaldehyde.  And asbestos.  And Bisphenol A.  And polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).  And thousands more innovations brought to us by the industries that once promised “better living through chemistry,” but instead produced a toxic stew that has made every American a guinea pig and has turned the United States into one grand unnatural experiment.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-rosner/hazardous-chemicals_b_3175796.html

“The groups that produce these miracle substances — like the petrochemical, plastics, and rubber industries, including major companies like Exxon, Dow, and Monsanto — argue that, until we can definitively prove the chemical products slowly leaching into our bodies are dangerous, we have no “right,” and they have no obligation, to remove them from our homes and workplaces. The idea that they should prove their products safe before exposing the entire population to them seems to be a foreign concept.”

Please read the whole article, it’s worth it.

guinea pig

But wait, there’s more!!!

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Lawmakers’ Fears Of Losing Chemical Weapon Stock Prices Grow

Great spoof!

Katy's Exposure

****SPOOF****

(This is a spoof of the Obama administration’s hypocrisy when turning a blind eye to the illnesses caused by chemical usage in the U.S. Holier than thou, they are threatening military action against other governments who have reportedly used chemicals to also sicken their own citizens. Link to April 28th spoofed article from The Hill by Mr. Jeremy Herb, “Lawmakers Fears Of Losing Syrian Chemical Weapons Stockpiles Grow” may be read at this link and again at the end of this Spoof.)

Lawmakers’ Fears Of Losing Chemical Weapon Stock Prices Grow

By Jerry Rigged Herbs – 04/28/13 02:00 PM ET

week they were, no doubt,As the Obama administration weighs responding to the chemical attack by chemical industry giants on the US food supply, lawmakers say their chief concern is the weapons’ stock prices falling while leaving less dollars available to lobby lawmakers.

Lawmakers from both parties say they don’t support that the U.S. boots chemical uses but are warning that the weapons must…

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Voices from the Shadows, a Film About ME/CFS From the UK

People with visible and invisible disabilities are often not only discriminated against, but far too often abused. Some of the abuse is from ignorance. Other times it is systemic and sometimes it is political.

ME/CFS, FM, and MCS/ES are often overlapping conditions. Canadian diagnosis stats with more details are here or a simple chart is at the bottom of the page here.

There are 3 dedicated clinics in Canada for diagnosing these conditions (and more, such as EHS). One is in Toronto (with a perpetual long wait list) and a new one just opened in BC with Dr Bested as the clinic director and was immediately overwhelmed with people seeking appointments. There is also one in  N.S.

Some provinces have a diagnostic code for ME/CFS now, and for FM, but not for MCS/ES. The CDC has also recognized it. In the US, people can look for doctors on the AAEM website. (there may be others, I am not as familiar with the US resources).

People in the UK and elsewhere are still trying to get proper recognition and protocols in place so that patients there are also not subjected to more abuse on top of these already devastating conditions.

Watch the trailer of the film here, then  you can link to the full length film from the Voices from the Shadows website. Continue reading

ReBlog: Are YOU drinking the Keratin Complex Kool-Aid?

I just discovered a blog (thanks Women’s Voices for the Earth) dedicated to “create awareness, and protect people from the harmful toxins that are so regularly used in the beauty industry, most notably that of the Brazilian Blowout.”

“Pretty Toxic” was created by Jennifer Arce and Dawn Marino, two hair stylists whose lives have changed after contracting formaldehyde poisoning from the hair smoothing product known as the Brazilian Blowout being used in the salons they worked at. The site serves as an educational and informative tool for stylists, consumers and the general public in an attempt to protect others from toxic exposure to chemicals in beauty products.

From their post on the 13th Annual Stylist Choice Awards:

While Martino Cartier accepted the award on behalf of Keratin Complex he said:  

“Thank you for drinking the Kool-Aid, and thank you for believing in Keratin Complex.”

Oh Martino, Martino, Martino!! We had to rewind it to just make sure we heard him right, but yep, that’s what he said!!

“Drinking the Kool-Aid,” according to Wikipedia, “suggests that one has mindlessly adopted the dogma of a group or leader without fully understanding the ramifications or implications.” And also, “refers to a person or group holding an unquestioned belief, argument, or philosophy without critical examination.” So this made us wonder…

Did you know Coppola/ Keratin Complex has the second most injuries reported to the FDA according to documents made public in 2011? Yep, but don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself! here:

via Are YOU drinking the Keratin Complex Kool-Aid?.

nails-on-a-chalckboard

Do No Harm? Disabilities and Discrimination: Elaine’s Story

When we are disabled, we can be vulnerable to discrimination, systemic abuse, and having our basic human rights violated. Like Paul Caune points out in the film Hope Is Not A Plan, “When your civil rights are violated you don’t need a good hug, you need a good lawyer”.

At the very least, we need a good advocate by our side.

Despite Human Rights “recognition”, people with MCS/ES are systemically denied safe access to even the most basic institutions of “care” that most people take for granted  due to chemical (and attitudinal) barriers and discrimination, like with the health-care systems, the very system where our health is supposed to be cared for.  I do believe there’s even an oath that some providers take to “do no harm”, but sadly, as those of us with MCS/ES have experienced, that is rarely the case when chemical and environmental sensitivities are concerned. Add more disabilities, and it can become even more challenging and rare to have our needs met with equality, dignity, and respect.

Take Elaine for example. Elaine has MCS/ES and used a wheelchair full-time for nine years because of a hereditary neurological disorder, Spino-cerebellar ataxia.  With luck, medication, some amazing people, and a reduction in toxic environmental contaminants, her mobility is now much improved.

However, due to these disabilities, she had her basic rights violated at a time when she was most vulnerable, when she required health care.

Elaine’s Story

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Dr Vandana Shiva, Wisdom Woman

Dr Vandana Shiva

Image from Seed Freedom

Image from Seed Freedom

Truth-teller, quantum physicist, heroine, wisdom woman, life saver…

Please watch this short (10 minute) video clip of her being interviewed on GritTV, and if you have time, the longer one from Bill Moyers, to learn more about the very important issues surrounding the corporate control of our global food supply. There are many great interviews available online, and it’s hard to choose or remember which might be the “best”. Here are three that  I have stumbled across again during the past week as I have been thinking of  posting something to honour her and her work. Her book “Stolen Harvest” changed my life’s direction and goals many years ago.

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Hope Is Not A Plan: Video

Hope Is Not A Plan

Hope Is Not A Plan

When your civil rights are violated you don’t need a good hug – you need a good lawyer.

Because most voters with disabilities cannot pay for a good lawyer they have no way to protect their civil rights, which are frequently violated by government, unions and businesses.

You don’t have a civil right if you don’t have a remedy to enforce it.

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Sandra Steingraber and Toxic Trespass on Bill Moyers: Video

For anyone interested in environmental health and the health of children, Sandra Steingraber is an inspiration and wealth of information. She has written several books and many articles. Her first book, Living Downstream, was turned into a feature film.

Biologist, mother and activist Sandra Steingraber discusses her fight against fracking and toxins contaminating our air, water and food.

Steingraber returns often to the concept of “toxic trespass” — which “means that chemicals without our consent enter our body sometimes because we inhale them”

Here she is in an interview with Bill Moyers, (you can watch it here or go to his website) and the link to her website is below, where you can access many of those articles and order her books.

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“Sensitive” to Pollution #3

"Sensitive" to Pollution 3

Is there anyone who isn’t “sensitive” to pollution?