Mold that ails home sickens suffering family

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July 20, 2004

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(http://www.katu.com/printstory.asp?ID=69380) by Mason

katu.com

SALEM, Ore. - They call it the monster in the basement. The case of mold that

has destroyed thousands in personal belongings, eaten up life savings, and

they say, left them nearly destitute.

They would leave the house that is causing them so many health problems, they

say, but their damaged credit has left them unable to rent another home.

Such is the life of the Raynak Family, who has been affected by a series of

floods that an expert considers a raging case of mold.

" We kept thinking the city of Salem would finally do the right thing and pay

the bills " , says Raynak, but so far that hasn't happened. "

The Raynaks are taking on city hall because they maintain that during

rainstorms, city drains back up and flow into their basement, beginning in

November

of 1999.

Later they say, mold took hold in their basement and caused serious medical

problems amongst their five children.

They have accumulated videos, photographs, and boxes of medical records they

say proves their case.

What's more, subsequent actions by city maintenance crews showed that tree

roots and other obstacles were re-routing normal run-off from the street into

their basement.

Sharman Meiners, Assistant City Attorney declined to comment on the Raynak

case citing pending litigation. A trial is set for September. So far, say the

Raynak's, attempts to settle the case have ended poorly. The settlements

offered have been pennies on the dollar. The family says between unpaid medical

bills and house repairs, the floods have cost them about $300,000.

From the beginning it hasn't been easy, trying to prove the source of the

water, the root of the health problems, all while trying to keep a household

running.

" Financially we're ruined, we're at the edge of bankruptcy, " says

Raynak, a mom who works from an envelope of cash to pay for the necessities of

life each month.

Creditors have seized accounts and the family has been forced to change phone

numbers to stay ahead of bill collectors.

" We've had to live by faith, " says Raynak, a home remodeler. Raynak

says friends have sold them cars for a few dollars, doctors have treated them

for free, and others have simply forgiven bills because most understand how

devastating the problems have been.

The long spiral appeared shortly after a 1999 Thanksgiving Day flood. The

Raynaks and their five children began experiencing a series of health problems

that no one could explain.

" There were a lot of infections, " says e MD, one of a group of

physicians who began treatment health problems nearly five years ago.

The hardest hit child was the youngest, . The boy, now three years old,

had a series of infections in the nose and throat untreatable by

antibiotics.

As his mother explains the stack of medical records she tears up. She pulls

out a picture of the boy with an incision in his chest made by a pump for high

levels of antibiotics.

" I just can't believe what this kid went through before we figured it all

out, " says his mother.

The Raynaks estimate that the medical bills for just the boy to be about

$40,000.

" For a time, we just didn't know what was causing all of our problems, " says

Raynak.

, a physician who lives not far from the Raynak home actually paid a

visit to look at the mold.

" The quantities were impressive, " says who suspects there may be a

tie between the sick home and the sick family. " It seems quite possible that

(the mold) was the cause of the reactivity, " says .

For months the family continued to use the heating system that turned out to

be filled with mold spores.

The family has been urged by an industrial hygienist to seal up the basement

or create a negative flow of air so that no mold spores blow about the house.

" What it means is that we have to use a wood stove in the winter, " says

Raynak. " It's tough when you have to choose between keeping your family

warm and keeping them well. "

One expert, who has conducted tests on the air quality of the home and

written a report on the mold spores has told the family they may have to abandon

the home if the health problems continue or worsen.

" Where would we go?, " says , " we don't have the money to get out even

if we wanted to "

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/2005 7:26:55 AM Pacific Standard Time,

erikmoldwarrior@... writes:

Here's the irony!

The bitter choice that they are resisting is really the path that

leads out of this mess.

The illness takes everything you've got and leaves you clinging to

the tattered shreds of your shattered life.

The best thing that could happen is to " hit bottom " and be forced

out of the situation that is killing them.

If these people finally wound up sleeping in their car on the

streets, or out in the woods in a tent - they might be surprised at

their level of recovery, which creates more options for reclaiming

their lives.

Remaining in a place that is still driving them under the " immune

power curve " can only lead to worse things to come.

-

,

I couldn't agree with you more. One of the things that drives me right up

the wall, is when mold victims call and say they are very sick and they ask

for help. And you explain to them that they have to get out. Then, they give

1001 reasons why they can't leave the place that is making them sick. I

understand that it's a tough decision. Been there, done that. I understand

that

it is difficult to leave and it completely disrupts your family's routine and

your finances. But, it is a ridiculous position to want to stay in an

environment that is taking your health because that environment has monetary

value

or you have no where else to go. Would people stay in a burning building

simply because they have nowhere else to go?

When people tell me they know they and their children are very sick from

their environment they live in, but they absolutely cannot leave this

environment, my sympathy level goes down to about zero. How could anybody

KNOWINGLY

leave their children in such an environment?

Sharon

[Guest guest]

> One expert, who has conducted tests on the air quality of the home

and written a report on the mold spores has told the family they

may have to abandon the home if the health problems continue or

worsen.

" Where would we go?, " says , " we don't have the money to get

out even if we wanted to "

>

Here's the irony!

The bitter choice that they are resisting is really the path that

leads out of this mess.

The illness takes everything you've got and leaves you clinging to

the tattered shreds of your shattered life.

The best thing that could happen is to " hit bottom " and be forced

out of the situation that is killing them.

If these people finally wound up sleeping in their car on the

streets, or out in the woods in a tent - they might be surprised at

their level of recovery, which creates more options for reclaiming

their lives.

Remaining in a place that is still driving them under the " immune

power curve " can only lead to worse things to come.

-

[Guest guest]

>

> In a message dated 7/26/2005 7:26:55 AM Pacific Standard Time,

> erikmoldwarrior@e... writes:

>

Sure it all sounds good to just get out. Back when I did this in

1998 you didn't know to get out. But at the same time I just had

sinus surgery and my husband had foot surgery. You can't just get

out and leave your stuff if you rent. There would be some legal

problem. Then where do you go your car that is now moldy. I guess

if you live alone it is easier to just get out and pitch a tent. I

can't even walk outside and take a walk without some man stopping his

car and start talking to me or whatever. If you are fragile and a

little attractive you are bothered and how can that be safe. I have

started wearing an alarm thing just to take a walk let alone live

outside where you can be raped or whatever is out there. We did move

only to move into another moldy apartment. All expensive places.

Again had to get rid of our stuff only to move into a third

nightmare. Each time we were thrown into some legal problem and so

you are fighting the courts and trying to save your life and trying

to see doctors, and trying to raise a child. So the last place I

lost my car and have not driven a car since 2001. All cuz of our

legal system treats mold victims like trash. And it still continues

now with mcs. Not to mention my husband in the last place had

seizures and a blood clot by his heart. Did that matter, no just get

out. So we moved the week my husband had seizures and I had RSD

and getting spinal injections for a year. Somethings just are not

that easy. So I have lost everything three times. And now

we have had to live here on a second floor in this 100 degree heat

without air conditioning cuz fragrance is pooring from the vents.

So just last week we finally got a portable ac unit but it cost

500.00. Seems crazy when you have a clean unit but can't use it.

Sure we should move I am not safe here either. The lady next door

uses moth balls and it reeks in my bathroom. The other neighbors

everytime they take a shower fragrance comes pooring into the windows

or through the walls and this place is 950.00 a month. How many

times do you move before you are labeled as a problem just because

you got ill and no place I have found is safe. Now my mom is doing

this and she is in her 70's and alone. How is she just going to get

out and do what...The move is more dangerous than living there until

she gets help.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/27/2005 8:22:12 AM Pacific Standard Time, bbw@...

writes:

So I feel I'm learning from my work of cleaning up my environment until I

stop reacting to it, feel okay here and air tests okay. I think if I went

running out the...

Hi Elvira,

If you are one who feels okay in your environment, then yes, it would be

ridiculous to run out the door. I am talking about the people who can't

breathe

well in their homes and are getting sicker by the day. They are the ones

who need to leave immediately, in my opinion. People can do whatever they

want. It's just that they should UNDERSTAND what ultimately happens when they

stay in a sick environment.

What started this whole discussion was an newscast about a family in Oregon

who were sick and were staying because they have nowhere to go. My point

was, that is a BAD Choice, and those who ask for help but continue to make that

bad choice are very frustrating to those of us who help victims. If they are

not willing to get out, then there is absolutely NOTHING that can be done to

help them. And if there is nothing to be done to help them, then by dealing

with these victims, one is only a sounding board on a sinking ship, and not

working toward a resolution. It upsets me to listen to drowning souls who are

screaming for help, but won't grab the lifesaving ring. There are soooooooo

many people that need help over this issue, volunteer time is prescious. It is

better spent helping those who are willing to help themselves. I know this

sounds bitchy and callus, but if you are one who is not moving out of the

environment that is making you sick, then don't call me. You are just wasting

my

time. And there are many out there who need help and are not a waste of time.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/27/2005 7:16:56 PM Pacific Standard Time,

Elvira52@... writes:

Where is this ring you speek about?

Elvira,

The ring is the knowledge that if you stay, your life will only get worse.

You won't need to worry about a roof over your head. You'll have one and you

will be able to look at it all the time as you are laying in your hospital

bed. I wish I had a big fat check to attach with this knowledge, but I don't.

If you stay where you are, that is your decision. And I know it is a hard

desicion to leave a roof over your head. All we are trying to tell you who

are still in the middle of this mess is that those of us who have been in a

sick environment and made it through, are the ones who left. And that we all

know plenty who did not leave and are much worse off for it today. Stay if you

want. But just understand the ring is the knowledge of where you are headed.

It's your life, not mine. And I wish you the absolute best in your

endeavors to deal with the terrible situation.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

1.I am talking about the people who can't breathe

well in their homes and are getting sicker by the day. They are the ones

who need to leave immediately, in my opinion.

snk1955,

I live under HUD Housing I'm one of the people you are talking about. Hud Just

kick you out on the streets. I paid my rent always on time and sometime before.

I'm a very long story and it seem every place I move,I have it in one way or

another here. I have a very good Landlord also the one above me seem to want to

do the right thing.But when people don't understand and many tell them mold is

every where what do you think they think about the person with the problem?

on Top of all this there's no trust, who can you trust and where can you go when

some places are worse than others? this is a huge problem this is why I feel

that we all must come together. this is no time for divided and Conquer. First

we must Conquer and never be divided things are bad enough as it is.

2.What started this whole discussion was an newscast about a family in Oregon

who were sick and were staying because they have nowhere to go.

Just think of all those that stand alone.

3.It upsets me to listen to drowning souls who are

screaming for help, but won't grab the lifesaving ring.

Where is this ring you speek about? I know many that would grab on if they knew

about it? If you only know what they do to people like us I could go on but all

I can say is this AMERICA HUmmmmmmmm!?. have you checked to see what your Beach

water looks like that we all fish swim in and the list goes on and on and

on......... Knock Knock no bodies there we must Think of the Children of the

world that's what make me so sad!?.

It's Like Nature it knows no color

4.It is

better spent helping those who are willing to help themselves.

I would simply say walk in our shoes TALK IS CHEEP Could this happen to you?

Ask Yourselves.

Peace

WETHEPEOPLE

Elvira

Re: [] Re: Mold that ails home sickens suffering family

In a message dated 7/27/2005 8:22:12 AM Pacific Standard Time, bbw@...

writes:

So I feel I'm learning from my work of cleaning up my environment until I

stop reacting to it, feel okay here and air tests okay. I think if I went

running out the...

Hi Elvira,

If you are one who feels okay in your environment, then yes, it would be

ridiculous to run out the door. I am talking about the people who can't

breathe

well in their homes and are getting sicker by the day. They are the ones

who need to leave immediately, in my opinion. People can do whatever they

want. It's just that they should UNDERSTAND what ultimately happens when

they

stay in a sick environment.

What started this whole discussion was an newscast about a family in Oregon

who were sick and were staying because they have nowhere to go. My point

was, that is a BAD Choice, and those who ask for help but continue to make

that

bad choice are very frustrating to those of us who help victims. If they are

not willing to get out, then there is absolutely NOTHING that can be done to

help them. And if there is nothing to be done to help them, then by dealing

with these victims, one is only a sounding board on a sinking ship, and not

working toward a resolution. It upsets me to listen to drowning souls who are

screaming for help, but won't grab the lifesaving ring. There are soooooooo

many people that need help over this issue, volunteer time is prescious. It

is

better spent helping those who are willing to help themselves. I know this

sounds bitchy and callus, but if you are one who is not moving out of the

environment that is making you sick, then don't call me. You are just wasting

my

time. And there are many out there who need help and are not a waste of time.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

> I think allot of people will have to come to the realization that if

> they go back into their house for one more night they will

> die.Please don't loose sympathy for these people, because one of the

> major symptoms is nuerological. How to think straight with your

> brain full of mycotoxins?

This can not be emphasized enough. Years of depression, caused by

....molds?.....who

would have thunk it? and yet, i am living proof. Not to mention the sig other

who opposes

most of the things I am doing to try to get the house safer....he is not a bad

person, he

just can't think straight, and neither can I some/most of the time (this is

improving as I

stay away more). I just have to do what I have to do-and it stresses me out! No

family, no

body to stay with nearby (2000miles) - it is a nightmare! and I thank God for

this group,

because finally I have met like minded people who have also been to this

particular hell.