My Story

My name is Mari and I am an NC coastal canary. I developed severe MCS after my apartment was sprayed with pesticide in May of 2008. So began a horrifying journey into the invisible world of the chemically injured. Despite the devastation MCS has on one’s life, I have found no help of any kind for lower income individuals in Wilmington, NC. My attempts to have the local and national media help me raise awareness about MCS have gone unacknowledged. I have been without safe housing, safe transportation, safe medical and dental care for many years. It effects every area of my life. I can not even clean my laundry safely. Hand washing has become so difficult that I rarely even do it any more because the risks that it entails are greater than the risks of not doing so. I am now at 80% housebound due to the nightmare of countless exposures to the various chemicals. This all leaves me feeling as if I am living my life by walking through land mines. The challenge of having a chronic health disorder with no resources available is that it leads to a variety of medical and health concerns such as decaying teeth, a serious bladder issue and wearing dirty clothes, just to mention a few. I have, long ago, fallen through the cracks of this very vibrant city that I once loved so deeply. I am bewildered and heartbroken by the lack of awareness, compassion and concern for such a crippling illness. I work really hard to keep my head above water spiritually, emotionally and physically as suicide pulls at me often. My heart is broken for the life that I’ve lost and for having to endure the sheer agony of getting sick over and over again. I am grateful for the sparks of hope that do come and for the abilities that I have remaining that allow me to enjoy some moments of each day. Now that I have shared a bit about my story, I would greatly appreciate any information on resources and I look forward to the developing connections in this community.