Re: letter to Steve Blow of the Dallas Morning News

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Betsy

sblow@...

Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 4:30 PM

Subject: This hysteria is getting moldy

Mr. Blow, I am deeply disturbed at your item of August 30, 2002 in the Dallas Morning News regarding mold hysteria. Toxic mold is for real and my husband and I are living proof of its life altering and devastating effects. We have been living in this apartment for over three years and for the first two years, the management neglected a serious water leak. My husband almost died of what doctors diagnosed as pneumonia and a "strange mist" in his lungs. He was also told he had advanced emphysema, something which came out of nowhere with no warning. Three different doctors think he has throat cancer. I have a case of toxic encephalopathy so bad that I cannot leave our home alone and hope to so much as simply walk across the parking lot. I can no longer drive a car and have lost all my independence. I wake up mornings hyperventilating severely and feel like I'm counting my last minutes on earth. Our strong, active cat suddenly took ill and died this June and we couldn't afford the autopsy to determine whether or not his death was mold related but we strongly suspect it was. An inspector came in here a few months ago and tested for toxic mold and found that our home is heavily contaminated. Because my husband had to leave his job over a year ago and go on permanent disability, we cannot afford to move elsewhere, nor are we any longer physically strong enough to get through the demands of relocating. Mainstream doctors are not up to speed on mold illness and are the worst people to ask about it. The mold problem is nothing to laugh about. It disables and kills people and their pets. If I were your dog, you'd have me euthanized as an act of kindness. That's what toxic mold has done to me. If brain damage, lung damage and death doesn't scare you then I can't imagine what _would_ make you "hysterical". Betsy Sinkey, Arlington, TX