Our Journey into Toxic Injury:  

My husband, Domenic, and I became ill (very ill) shortly after moving into in a new residence. Unbeknown to us, there were toxic chemicals that were leaking/out-gassing and taking over our air space. Shortly after moving into this recently remodeled property, we started noticing strange odors, sometimes light but offensive, sometimes strong, sometimes unbearable.  We didn’t know at that time that we were being exposed to formaldehyde, toluene, mold, asbestos, fuel oil and other toxins. In the beginning during an absence from the home we would notice some improvement in our symptoms but upon returning home we would soon, very soon be as ill or worse then before. This happened for a while and then the time came there was no improvement upon leaving the home.

Soon, we started to also experience adverse reactions to odors/fumes from other things like perfume, gasoline, and the detergent isle in the grocery store. The deodorants, soaps, shampoos, clothes and other household and cleaning products that we had used before were now causing us to become very ill. We would break out with rashes and my hands would crack open and bleed. Domenic and I would experience great difficulty breathing. It was as if an 18-wheeler had parked on our chests. We became so ill that we could no longer enjoy going out to eat, shop or socialize. It was a daily struggle just to survive. Life became … like we were walking on a minefield. That home and its toxins had turned our lives into a living hell.

Life as we once knew it was gone, forever amputated!  As time went by we had more and more symptoms including but not limited to: head, body, and joint aches and pains (usually severe) skin rashes and dermatitis, Non-ending flu-like symptoms, dizziness, extreme fatigue, and respiratory problems, mental confusion and short term memory lapses, increased sensitivity to sound, light, colors/patterns, bloating and other intestinal problems, heart palpitations, lack of coordination, stroke-like symptoms and the list goes on.

After years of watching Domenic struggle with the senseless pain & suffering caused from what could have and should have been avoided, tragically & unnecessarily Domenic’s life was prematurely ended, on January 3rd, 1999. On a snowy winters day very unexpectedly, I lost my soul mate, the love of my life and the father to my children. We will always mourn the loss of his life, his presence, his laughter, his singing and his hugs. Our children and I also miss the person that I was before those toxic exposures completely devastated our lives as we not only lost a wonderfully loving and compassionate husband and Pop but I also lost my health, my freedom, been forced into living with constant pain, in isolation and with upper & lower reactive airway dysfunction, brain toxic encephalopathy, fibromyalgia, & chronic fatigue along with other serious health issues

Much pain & suffering has been forced into our lives by the careless acts of others and many tears have been shed ~ tears for what was and will never be again ~ tears for all the hopes & dreams that were permanently destroyed ~ tears for all that was so precious to us having been senselessly taken away ~ tears because this tragedy could have & should have easily been prevented.

As our conditions continued to deteriorate Domenic and I had made a promise to one another that if the Good Lord did not call us home together that who ever remained would do all they could to prevent this horrible tragedy from happening to other families.

The loss of our health, family, friends, independence, economic productivity, the health of our environment and natural resources will only continue to worsen if we do not do something about it. . .Now!

The water was, is a very important part of Domenic’s and my life. Besides being a very talented carpenter, Domenic had his Captains’ license and was also a Fisherman. We made our living off the New England waters. Our Foundations name “MCS” Beacon of Hope is in memory of Domenic and our love affair with the ocean. The lighthouse “beacon” signifies the way out of despair, shining hope for those living with toxically/chemically induced illnesses and to let them know someone cares and is working to bring hope, help and solutions back into their lives.

Julia (our daughter) & I continue to work to raise awareness & education as preventative measures and we vow to send proclamations to each and every setting president until we, the Toxically Injured receive the same support, rights and recognition that has been allotted other illnesses & disabilities.

Our hope is that through awareness and education the misdiagnoses, mistreatment and discrimination against those with toxic injuries will cease, lives will be saved, and other families will not have to know the depth of pain and suffering Domenic had to endure and the incredible lost Julia, Joseph and I were left to live with.

Domenic and I had/have the kind of love that prompted symphonies to be composed & poetry to be written. We became best friends, confidants, lovers, partners, man & wife as well as soul- mates. Domenic and I used to dance 3-4 nights a week (before being poisoned) and he sang with local bands (some members actually played with the Big Bands) and Dom was often called “Our Very Own Dean” for Dean Martin ~ he was told by many that he could also do Al Jolson and Tony Bennett better then they could. He was a very talented singer and we used to have a great time singing and dancing the night away. Oh how we loved to travel and many an adventure we could tell. We also enjoyed watching the dogs and horses run and of course spending time on the water. We truly loved and respected one another . . . I used to tell him “I sure had to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince” and he would smile that smile that made your heart melt and say “ Sure glad you did”!

Domenic was/is a very special person and just knowing him and having him a part (big part) of our lives enriched us in ways no amount of money or treasures ever could and we thank GOD daily for the time we had together here on earth. We believe we come from a spiritual world and are having an earthly experience here and will return to a spiritual world ~ ~ ~ Heaven!  

They say you take your singing ability with you when you pass over, for some of us that is of great comfort to know that there will be singing in Heaven, in fact I can hear Domenic singing with others and filling Heaven with love, song and laughter ~ so even death here on earth doesn’t stop the kind of love he so graciously gave!

Domenic’s Family,

Peggy, Julia and Joseph

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