2008 open letter

2008 OPEN LETTER TO: The President, Governors, members of Congress and Senate of the United States of America, Presidents, Prime Ministers and World Leaders around the globe,

"Health is not valued till sickness comes." -- Dr. Thomas Fuller (1654 -1743)

NEED FOR RECOGNITION:

We, the people and our planet, carry the direct consequences of the choices our government, businesses and others make. From personal experience, we, the toxically injured, are often unseen (due to medically required isolation), misunderstood; yet a large and rapidly growing population, of epidemic proportions!

We are in a fight for our very lives and those of future generations. Our pets have also been unwillingly integrated into a toxic world and now suffer many similar illnesses, and harm.

We urgently need your support to save lives, lifestyles, monetary resources and our environment today ... for a healthier & brighter tomorrow for all.

Toxic Injury is a worldwide problem demanding worldwide solutions. On behalf of many millions of concerned citizens around the world ... we ask your signature and support in designating the month of May each year as Toxic Injury Awareness and Education month.

Without your immediate intervention, the statistics and the devastation will continue to rise. Prevention must be our first line of defense! Recognition and knowledge about toxically induced and exacerbated illnesses; disabilities and premature deaths must be of the highest National and World priority.

WHAT ARE TOXINS?

Whether at home, work, or school, air pollution, pesticides, toxic mold or other unnecessary toxins ~ poison is still poison. Many are listed on the EPA, RCRA and CERCIA Hazardous waste lists. SAFER ALTERNATIVES, choices, products and practices are available, affordable, and effective.

WHAT IS TOXIC INJURY?

Toxic Injury includes chronic debilitating conditions for which there is no known cure. Toxic Injury can affect the respiratory, central nervous, immune, musculoskeletal, porphyrin metabolism and hormone systems. It can cause abnormal egg, sperm, genital deformity or cancers such as prostate, breast, leukemia, brain and others. Our children, before birth or a very young age develop unnecessary illnesses, disabilities and even premature death, as do men and woman. This occurs from unnecessary toxins, air pollution, mold, toxic metals, pesticides, chlorinated products, “air fresheners” (petrochemical derivatives) toxic cleaners and other chemicals found in homes, schools, work places, and environment. These are described in many books, including the recent How Everyday Products Make People Sick by Paul D. Blanc, University of California Press, 2007.

Toxic Injury can be toxic encephalopathy, reactive airways, (“chemically intolerant”), gulf war illness, sick building syndrome, chemical sensitivity, etc. Chemical intolerance is now known to be caused by toxic-induced changes in brain and body biochemistry. These changes are also called neural sensitization.

Multiple symptoms and illnesses are made worse by toxic exposures. They include but are not limited to burning sensation, skin rashes, metallic taste in mouth, irritated eyes, ears, nose, throat, severe sinus and/or migraine headaches, asthma, sinusitis, otitis, etc. Other disabling toxic related illnesses include emphysema, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, liver disease, attention deficit, hyperactivity, autism, Parkinson’s, Lupus, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, “fibromyalgia”, and many more diseases involving inflammation.

Once damaged, the body is adversely affected by toxic substances at much lower levels. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, trouble concentrating, impair balance, thinking, seizures, attention deficit, hyperactivity in children, short term memory loss, poor coordination, impaired balance, stroke-like brain damage, seizures, heart palpations, chronic fatigue, aching joints and muscles. Other chronic effects can include chronic learning disability, autism, autoimmune or neurodegenerative diseases, and the list goes on.

HUMAN AND SOCIAL COST OF TOXIC INJURY:

Toxic related illnesses are devastating to the people, the health care system, insurance costs and the economy. Toxins interfere with learning in schools and on the job by impairing brain function. They create unnecessary absenteeism and disability with otherwise productive citizens/ workers. This is a tragedy to them and the economy. Toxic injury interferes with national and international best use of human resources, and defeats the ethical and spiritual need to cherish every human life.

NEED FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

Doctors are withdrawing children from school and adults from work because medically required reasonable accommodations are being denied. Attendance, performance, and attention spans ALL improve when the quality of air is increased.

Readily achievable accommodations are NOT costly and allow everyone access to school, church, work, sports, and other social events. The toxic injured are often forced to forgo the joy of family and holiday celebrations, weddings and even funeral/memorial services for loved ones due to lack of reasonable accommodations. This information gap creates painful restrictions and social isolation.

Just as physical barriers prevent wheelchair access, invisible barriers (toxic chemicals, pesticides, scented products and mold) deny us necessary access to schools, places of employment and to public facilities like hospitals, medical and dental care facilities, emergency, assisted and residential housing which are necessary for survival.

Given a controlled environment and reasonable accommodations, many persons with toxic injury could again be self-reliant, financially independent and not forced onto welfare. We must work together to remove all barriers that prevent access to ANYONE because of a disability or special need accommodation. Someone’s difference or disability does not make their life any less valuable, less important, nor disposable.

NEED FOR EDUCATION AND INFORMATION:

Our government, doctors, and other health care providers including hospitals and health care clinics, emergency shelters as well as in home health care and other service personnel urgently need information about reasonable accommodations to provide their services without causing us more health harm.

Our current health and welfare programs are unprepared to recognize, diagnose or treat those suffering from toxic exposures/injuries. Adequate training and continuing education will help health care professionals to better identify and treat toxic injury/illness early, before disability develops.

Misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and discrimination against those with toxic illness must cease and can be avoided when government officials; health professionals, family members and society in general become more educated about toxic illnesses.

In 2007, thirty-two (32) or more Governors and Mayors proclaimed May “Toxic Injury Awareness and Education month” or signed similar proclamations: www.mcsbeaconofhope.com.

THE NEED FOR ACTION:

We all have a legal, moral and ethical responsibility to teach and practice good stewardship. As our elected leaders you can help raise awareness and education on preventative measures, improve the quality of our indoor/outdoor air, water and food sources and implement stricter label laws for all products containing any toxins or allergens. We call upon you President George W. Bush, Governors, members of Congress and Senate of the United States, to set a leadership example for others to follow and declare May as National Toxic Injury Awareness and Education month.

The very survival of our children and our planet depend upon everyone doing their part. As citizens from around the world, we unite asking you, our elected officials, to exercise your power and responsibility to protect the health, welfare and future of the earth and ALL its inhabitants, our environment and natural resources, to implement good stewardship, and to stop unnecessary toxic harm.

Statistics: www.mcsbeaconofhope.com/stat2005.html

Don’t let this happen to Your Child or Loved One ….

Get Involved … Become Aware … Make Safer Choices!

"We cannot go back and make a new start, but we can start now to make a new ending." Author Unknown

“MCS” in the “MCS” Beacon of Hope Foundation stands for: multiple toxic chemicals and other toxins are involved, multiple symptoms are presented and multiple body systems are adversely affected.

We thank you for your time and consideration of these important life, health, housing, education, financial and environmental problems.

Sincerely, your friends in Hope & Health,

Peggy, Julia, Sharon and Jennifer

Peggy Troiano, Founder and Program Manager:

E-mail: mcsbeaconofhope@yahoo.com Ph. 727-541-4390

Julia Williams, Executive Director:

E-mail: juliamcs2004@yahoo.com Ph. 727-530-0169

Sharon Galloway, Director & Maryland State Rep.

E-mail: svgalloway@gmail.com Ph. 410-833-5588

Jennifer McKinnis, Accommodations Advocate & Oregon State Rep.

E-mail: mckinnis@oregontrail.net Ph. 541-567-2017

State/Country Rep can be viewed at: http://mcsbeaconofhope.com/a_special_thanks_to_all_state_an.htm

“MCS Beacon of Hope Foundation, a project of the Congressional District Programs – a registered 501(c)(3).”