Guest guest Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Hi All, I think DC went well. The week actually started out with the teachers being in DC. Barnett and the Healthy Schools Network had their big meeting in DC. As I understand it, their focus is poor indoor air quality in general in the schools. But they have a contingency of teachers through Center for School Mold Help, that focus on the mold problems in schools. Did not get to attend their meeting, but as I understand it, Westmorland gave a presentation to the teachers' organizations about illness from mold that knocked 'em dead! Did get to talk to . She felt that it is becoming much more widely understood that mold causes serious illness. There were some Senate staff people also present at that meeting. On Wed, the teachers went out to meet with their individual legislators. They took with them an invitation to the briefing. We need to thank the " Boston Babes " for helping us get the ear of their Senator Kennedy and thank all of our teachers for getting alot of the word out. We also need to thank the ladies from Homeowners for Better Builders ( Seats and Haynes) who made an organized effort for getting many encourgaing calls made. And of course, all of us from Sickbuildings, Aspergillus UK, Homeowners For Better Buildings, Policy Holders of America and Mold-Help - who also made calls urging the Staffers to come. , from FDRC made some very key contacts, too. So the briefing itself was on Thurs. Before it started, Kennedy's staff person, explained to us that the way these things typically work is that 10 people is a good crowd and to not be disappointed if people floated in and out and left early. That just the way these things go. Well that wasn't the way this one went. People were on time and they stayed for the entire hour and a half presentation. They had even more questions to ask, but there was another meeting right behind us. So we had to wrap it up. Many were asking questions as our doctors were going out the door. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have it video taped. They don't do that for staff meetings. The meeting was hosted by Senator Kennedy and Senator Jefford's office. Kennedy is a Democrat. Jeffords is an independant. So we had no Republican host. This meant that the Republican staffers did not receive a formal invitation. But I think some of them came anyway on YOUR request. I wouldn't read a whole lot into the fact that we had no Republican sponsor. I think it may have just been a matter of timing - that they did not have the opportunity to speak with the doctors long before hand like the other two offices did. Also, we had requested Dr. Hudnell from the EPA come and speak about neurotoxins. That ended up being alittle confusing, too. The EPA wasn't sure if this meant they were taking the lead on the meeting or why the CDC wasn't invited or etc.....The EPA even called the CDC to come. The CDC was not prepared and they didn't know why it was being presented partisan. So the opted not to. The EPA was going to send someone, then not, then they were, but they ended up not. Again, I wouldn't read the EPA's and the CDC's absence from the meeting to mean too much, other than gov't agencies get weird when it comes to understanding/defining their role when presenting to the Senate. I am sure they have past experience that tells them this is a wise thing to do. We weren't looking for a gov't meeting in the first place. We just want it to be heard of what our doctors are seeing that the gov't is not. So it was just as well that they didn't show. With only four presenters, it gave the staffers time to ask a few questions. Although I would have really loved for the staffers to be able to hear Dr. Hudnell speak about neuorotoxins - whether he was from the EPA or not. The CDC offered to hold another meeting on the matter later on in conjunction with the EPA and the NIH. I say that's great. But not if they are intending to hold a mutual admiration society meeting where they all agree and praise each other for what they collectively don't know. If this briefing ever comes about, you can be darn sure I will get our best to get our two cents in there. Even though the EPA was not there at the briefing. They were holding the Tools for Schools meeting. I actually came away from the week feeling like there are many researchers within the EPA who want to help us. It's just some at key positions that are holding the reins. So, our briefing was not about indoor air or outdoor air. It was not about remediation or microbial investigation. It was not about the insurance industry, Realtors or builders. It was focused on one point and one point only. THE DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY TRAINED AND AS A RESULT MANY PEOPLE ARE SICK AND NOT GETTING TREATED. It started off with all the Staff people introducing themselves. I didn't have a way to take down what offices were there, but I think there were about 25 people there with 15 offices represented. I will try to find out next week who they were so that if your Senator sent a rep, you can send them a short thank you note. I remember a few: Kennedy, Jeffords, Feinstein, Salazar, Clinton, Boxer. I'll find out the others next week. Kennedy's staff was really pleased with the turn out. I did a short intro of the doctors. Was able to tell the Staffers that collectivey, they were looking at 100 years of research! We started off with Dr. Sherris. He is an ENT Surgeon with a very strong research background in fungal sinusitis. He did a great job. Very charming man. The staff people loved him. He brought a power point presentation with slides. At one point he said " We are exploring new ways of obtaining cultures " . The next slide was of Queen Elizebeth picking her nose. He was succinct, informative and keep everyone's attention on what would typically be a very dry subject to lay people. He also set the tone for the meeting. It had a good feel. Next was Dr. Marinkovich. He, too, did a wonderful job and was very charming. He talked about how mycology has become the orphan child of science. About how steroids are not a good thing long term. About how this issue is in the hands of allergists and it needs to be more in the hands of those who better understand immunology. The staffers had a bunch of questions for him, to the point I had to cut them off so Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Yang could present. Dr. Markinkovich had to leave early. I saw one staffer follow him out the door asking questions as she went. Dr. Shoemaker went next. He brought a power point presentation, too. It was really good. He went into more of the effects of the toxins themselves. Talked of the cognitive and serious, long term dibilitating symptoms we experieince. True to form, part of Dr. Shoemaker's presentation was to advocate for you. He described what a typical patient is like and what they have been through before they get to his office. I was watching the staffers on this one. I think it sunk into them what we are going through. I was running out of time, so I had to hold questions for Dr. Shoemaker until after Dr. Yang presented. Not that the focus of this was indoor air, but Dr.Yang gave an overview of what is causing some of the problem. He described abit about the builidings and how changes in standards are much of the cause of the increase in mycotic disease. His pictures of really moldie buildings gave a good visual of what the problem is from an indoor air standpoint. He had one slide with four white mushrooms growing out of a couch. He told the staffers " It is not good to have mushrooms growing in your house " . Got a huge laugh. He kept their attention the whole time. He and Dr. Shoemaker received very good questions. As an old salesman, I know questions indicate interest. Segal was there from Congressman Conyers' office. He was the only Congressional staff person invited. talked briefly of how much this issue upsets him. Especially the children. Said they get more calls on this issue than any other, but they are not able to do anything, other than take down the info. Said they are not set up to be a social service agency and it breaks his heart they haven't been able to move any legislation forward to help us. I wrapped up with a one minute closing and made the request again that we need the Senate's help to break the ugly cycle of the mold issue. So, I think it went well. Now we just sit back and wait to see if this is an issue they all will take on for a cause. We have to remember that there are many people out there that need help from so many different angles. Senators can only address what they can address - especially with an issue as complicated as this one. This one is a huge commitment for whoever champions it. But think we are on their radar. I think we will be able to move this forward. PLEASE DO NOT CALL YOUR SENATOR'S OFFICE, OTHER THAN TO THANK THOSE THAT SENT A REP. We need to be alittle low key and professional at this point in time if we want to collectively make progress on this front. Also, please do not put all your eggs in this basket. Or think, that finally our voice has been heard. That is simply NOT the case. We have to keep pushing on all fronts. I just work on the medical misunderstanding. As do others from different angles. We all know there is far more to this issue than just the medical. And there are many people who are working this issue from alot of different angles. So keep pushing on the areas you are working. TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO BEAT THE MOLD ISSUE ON ALL FRONTS!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for making those calls last week. It made and is making the difference! And of course, thanks as usual to Mr. Information Central - KC of Sickbuildings!!! Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 I think that this will be an issue we have *a lot* of trouble getting Republicans to vote with us on. Just look at their position on other environmental law issues. Basically, they see US as the problem. Plus, they don't think that government should be at all involved in public education. Kind of like the way things were in the 19th century. Seriously. In private they say that government should be starved to death.. They want an army and strong military.. (robotic, if possible) and protection for US corporate interests and investments (factories, markets, IP, etc.) around the world.. but hands off things like consumer issues here. Caveat emptor is the name of the game for them. We may have some luck through contract law, though, with them. If people could get contractual agreements up front from landlords (at an extra cost) to ensure certified mold-free apartments, they would probably support a tort being available for people if it was violated. But the mold standards would have to be explicitly spelled out in that contract. Pre-rental or pre-sale. This is all I have been able to get my conservative friends to agree on vis-a-vis mold. Even if its toxic, they see it as a choice issue. People 'choose to live in crappy apartments' because they are cheaper. They honestly don't want the government paying to educate children or enforce consumer laws. They want the marketplace and reputations to decide that. On 1/14/06, snk1955@... <snk1955@...> wrote: > Hi All, > > I think DC went well. The week actually started out with the teachers > being in DC. Barnett and the Healthy Schools Network had their big > meeting in DC. As I understand it, their focus is poor indoor air quality in > general in the schools. But they have a contingency of teachers through > Center for School Mold Help, that focus on the mold problems in schools. > > Did not get to attend their meeting, but as I understand it, > Westmorland gave a presentation to the teachers' organizations about illness from > mold that knocked 'em dead! Did get to talk to . She felt that it is > becoming much more widely understood that mold causes serious illness. There > were some Senate staff people also present at that meeting. On Wed, the > teachers went out to meet with their individual legislators. They took with > them an invitation to the briefing. > > We need to thank the " Boston Babes " for helping us get the ear of their > Senator Kennedy and thank all of our teachers for getting alot of the word > out. We also need to thank the ladies from Homeowners for Better Builders > ( Seats and Haynes) who made an organized effort for getting many > encourgaing calls made. And of course, all of us from Sickbuildings, Aspergillus > UK, Homeowners For Better Buildings, Policy Holders of America and Mold-Help > - who also made calls urging the Staffers to come. , from FDRC made > some very key contacts, too. > > So the briefing itself was on Thurs. Before it started, Kennedy's staff > person, explained to us that the way these things typically work is that 10 > people is a good crowd and to not be disappointed if people floated in and out > and left early. That just the way these things go. > > Well that wasn't the way this one went. People were on time and they > stayed for the entire hour and a half presentation. They had even more > questions to ask, but there was another meeting right behind us. So we had to wrap > it up. Many were asking questions as our doctors were going out the door. > Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have it video taped. They don't do that for > staff meetings. > > The meeting was hosted by Senator Kennedy and Senator Jefford's office. > Kennedy is a Democrat. Jeffords is an independant. So we had no Republican > host. This meant that the Republican staffers did not receive a formal > invitation. But I think some of them came anyway on YOUR request. > > I wouldn't read a whole lot into the fact that we had no Republican > sponsor. I think it may have just been a matter of timing - that they did not > have the opportunity to speak with the doctors long before hand like the other > two offices did. > > Also, we had requested Dr. Hudnell from the EPA come and speak about > neurotoxins. That ended up being alittle confusing, too. The EPA wasn't sure > if this meant they were taking the lead on the meeting or why the CDC wasn't > invited or etc.....The EPA even called the CDC to come. The CDC was not > prepared and they didn't know why it was being presented partisan. So the > opted not to. > > The EPA was going to send someone, then not, then they were, but they > ended up not. Again, I wouldn't read the EPA's and the CDC's absence from the > meeting to mean too much, other than gov't agencies get weird when it comes > to understanding/defining their role when presenting to the Senate. I am > sure they have past experience that tells them this is a wise thing to do. We > weren't looking for a gov't meeting in the first place. We just want it to be > heard of what our doctors are seeing that the gov't is not. So it was just > as well that they didn't show. With only four presenters, it gave the > staffers time to ask a few questions. Although I would have really loved for the > staffers to be able to hear Dr. Hudnell speak about neuorotoxins - whether he > was from the EPA or not. > > The CDC offered to hold another meeting on the matter later on in > conjunction with the EPA and the NIH. I say that's great. But not if they are > intending to hold a mutual admiration society meeting where they all agree and > praise each other for what they collectively don't know. If this briefing > ever comes about, you can be darn sure I will get our best to get our two > cents in there. > > Even though the EPA was not there at the briefing. They were holding the > Tools for Schools meeting. I actually came away from the week feeling like > there are many researchers within the EPA who want to help us. It's just some > at key positions that are holding the reins. > > So, our briefing was not about indoor air or outdoor air. It was not > about remediation or microbial investigation. It was not about the insurance > industry, Realtors or builders. It was focused on one point and one point > only. THE DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY TRAINED AND AS A RESULT MANY PEOPLE > ARE SICK AND NOT GETTING TREATED. > > It started off with all the Staff people introducing themselves. I > didn't have a way to take down what offices were there, but I think there were > about 25 people there with 15 offices represented. I will try to find out next > week who they were so that if your Senator sent a rep, you can send them a > short thank you note. I remember a few: Kennedy, Jeffords, Feinstein, > Salazar, Clinton, Boxer. I'll find out the others next week. Kennedy's staff was > really pleased with the turn out. > > I did a short intro of the doctors. Was able to tell the Staffers that > collectivey, they were looking at 100 years of research! We started off with > Dr. Sherris. He is an ENT Surgeon with a very strong research background in > fungal sinusitis. He did a great job. Very charming man. The staff people > loved him. He brought a power point presentation with slides. At one point > he said " We are exploring new ways of obtaining cultures " . The next slide > was of Queen Elizebeth picking her nose. He was succinct, informative and keep > everyone's attention on what would typically be a very dry subject to lay > people. He also set the tone for the meeting. It had a good feel. > > Next was Dr. Marinkovich. He, too, did a wonderful job and was very > charming. He talked about how mycology has become the orphan child of science. > About how steroids are not a good thing long term. About how this issue is > in the hands of allergists and it needs to be more in the hands of those who > better understand immunology. The staffers had a bunch of questions for him, > to the point I had to cut them off so Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Yang could > present. Dr. Markinkovich had to leave early. I saw one staffer follow him out the > door asking questions as she went. > > Dr. Shoemaker went next. He brought a power point presentation, too. It > was really good. He went into more of the effects of the toxins themselves. > Talked of the cognitive and serious, long term dibilitating symptoms we > experieince. True to form, part of Dr. Shoemaker's presentation was to advocate > for you. He described what a typical patient is like and what they have been > through before they get to his office. I was watching the staffers on this > one. I think it sunk into them what we are going through. I was running out of > time, so I had to hold questions for Dr. Shoemaker until after Dr. Yang > presented. > > Not that the focus of this was indoor air, but Dr.Yang gave an overview > of what is causing some of the problem. He described abit about the > builidings and how changes in standards are much of the cause of the increase in > mycotic disease. His pictures of really moldie buildings gave a good visual of > what the problem is from an indoor air standpoint. He had one slide with > four white mushrooms growing out of a couch. He told the staffers " It is not > good to have mushrooms growing in your house " . Got a huge laugh. He kept > their attention the whole time. He and Dr. Shoemaker received very good > questions. As an old salesman, I know questions indicate interest. > > Segal was there from Congressman Conyers' office. He was the only > Congressional staff person invited. talked briefly of how much this > issue upsets him. Especially the children. Said they get more calls on this > issue than any other, but they are not able to do anything, other than take > down the info. Said they are not set up to be a social service agency and it > breaks his heart they haven't been able to move any legislation forward to help > us. > > I wrapped up with a one minute closing and made the request again that > we need the Senate's help to break the ugly cycle of the mold issue. > > So, I think it went well. Now we just sit back and wait to see if this > is an issue they all will take on for a cause. We have to remember that > there are many people out there that need help from so many different angles. > Senators can only address what they can address - especially with an issue as > complicated as this one. This one is a huge commitment for whoever champions > it. But think we are on their radar. I think we will be able to move this > forward. > > PLEASE DO NOT CALL YOUR SENATOR'S OFFICE, OTHER THAN TO THANK THOSE THAT > SENT A REP. We need to be alittle low key and professional at this point in > time if we want to collectively make progress on this front. > > Also, please do not put all your eggs in this basket. Or think, that > finally our voice has been heard. That is simply NOT the case. We have to keep > pushing on all fronts. I just work on the medical misunderstanding. As do > others from different angles. We all know there is far more to this issue than > just the medical. And there are many people who are working this issue from > alot of different angles. So keep pushing on the areas you are working. > TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO BEAT THE MOLD ISSUE ON ALL FRONTS!!!!!!!!!!! > > Thanks for making those calls last week. It made and is making the > difference! And of course, thanks as usual to Mr. Information Central - KC of > Sickbuildings!!! > > Sharon > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 Dear Sharon, This has been an incredible exercise in " building blocks " and one thing I know for sure; if we all didn't do our parts, we would be so much further behind on bringing this problem to the forefront: that, in and of itself, is very very scary. Sharon: you have done a great thing in the advancement of accountability on mold exposure and health problems and we are all very grateful to you. Thank you so much. We are also very grateful to the doctors that came forward to educate the HELP Committee and Senate staffers. Mulvey son Boston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 FYI: some years ago, Katrine s began dropping off information to both Jeffers' Senate Office in Vermont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2006 Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 Sharon and all -- I am pleased to hear this excellent report -- it comes as no surprise to me that Sharon was able to pull this off, however. Her drive and focus here are providing something this movement has been denied for a long time -- tangible results, however incremental. The accountability aspect that was referred to earlier is key to my mind. I think ultimately the realization that not only is this problem is not going away, but that past histories will come to light. While unfortunate, this will drive responsible action on the part of our legislators as much as anything, IMO. BTW, I will be taking a leave of absence for the next two months to address outside personal issues. FDRC will continue to be in a fully operational mode in terms of accepting donations though our website, and the FDRC Board and Steering committee will be monitoring ongoing aspects of the cause. However, please curtail emails to this address until my advisement on my return in mid-March. Thanks to all of you, for all that you do. Regards Lee Fungal Disease Resource Center, Inc. http://www.fdrcinc.org On Jan 14, 2006, at 9:07 PM, SNK1955@... wrote: > Hi All, > > I think DC went well. The week actually started out with the > teachers being in DC. Barnett and the Healthy Schools > Network had their big meeting in DC. As I understand it, their > focus is poor indoor air quality in general in the schools. But > they have a contingency of teachers through Center for School Mold > Help, that focus on the mold problems in schools. > > Did not get to attend their meeting, but as I understand it, > Westmorland gave a presentation to the teachers' > organizations about illness from mold that knocked 'em dead! Did > get to talk to . She felt that it is becoming much more > widely understood that mold causes serious illness. There were some > Senate staff people also present at that meeting. On Wed, the > teachers went out to meet with their individual legislators. They > took with them an invitation to the briefing. > > We need to thank the " Boston Babes " for helping us get the ear > of their Senator Kennedy and thank all of our teachers for getting > alot of the word out. We also need to thank the ladies from > Homeowners for Better Builders ( Seats and Haynes) who > made an organized effort for getting many encourgaing calls made. > And of course, all of us from Sickbuildings, Aspergillus UK, > Homeowners For Better Buildings, Policy Holders of America and Mold- > Help - who also made calls urging the Staffers to come. , > from FDRC made some very key contacts, too. > > So the briefing itself was on Thurs. Before it started, > Kennedy's staff person, explained to us that the way these things > typically work is that 10 people is a good crowd and to not be > disappointed if people floated in and out and left early. That > just the way these things go. > > Well that wasn't the way this one went. People were on time and > they stayed for the entire hour and a half presentation. They had > even more questions to ask, but there was another meeting right > behind us. So we had to wrap it up. Many were asking questions as > our doctors were going out the door. Unfortunately, I wasn't able > to have it video taped. They don't do that for staff meetings. > > The meeting was hosted by Senator Kennedy and Senator Jefford's > office. Kennedy is a Democrat. Jeffords is an independant. So we > had no Republican host. This meant that the Republican staffers > did not receive a formal invitation. But I think some of them came > anyway on YOUR request. > > I wouldn't read a whole lot into the fact that we had no > Republican sponsor. I think it may have just been a matter of > timing - that they did not have the opportunity to speak with the > doctors long before hand like the other two offices did. > > Also, we had requested Dr. Hudnell from the EPA come and speak > about neurotoxins. That ended up being alittle confusing, too. > The EPA wasn't sure if this meant they were taking the lead on the > meeting or why the CDC wasn't invited or etc.....The EPA even > called the CDC to come. The the CDC was not prepared and they > didn't know why it was being presented partisan. So the opted not to. > > The EPA was going to send someone, then not, then they were, > but they ended up not. Again, I wouldn't read the EPA's and the > CDC's absence from the meeting to mean too much, other than gov't > agencies get weird when it comes to understanding/defining their > role when presenting to the Senate. I am sure they have past > experience that tells them this is a wise thing to do. We weren't > looking for a gov't meeting in the first place. We just want it to > be heard of what our doctors are seeing that the gov't is not. So > it was just as well that they didn't show. With only four > presenters, it gave the staffers time to ask a few questions. > Although I would have really loved for the staffers to be able to > hear Dr. Hudnell speak about neuorotoxins - whether he was from the > EPA or not. > > The CDC offered to hold another meeting on the matter later on > in conjunction with the EPA and the NIH. I say that's great. But > not if they are intending to hold a mutual admiration society > meeting where they all agree and praise each other for what they > collectively don't know. If this briefing ever comes about, you > can be darn sure I will get our our best to get our two cents in > there. > > Even though the EPA was not there out briefing. They were > holding the Tools for Schools meeting. I actually came away from > the week feeling like there are many researchers within the EPA who > want to help us. It's just some at key positions that are holding > the reins. > > So, our briefing was not about indoor air or outdoor air. It > was not about remediation or microbial investigation. It was not > about the insurance industry, Realtors or builders. It was focused > on one point and one point only. THE DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING > PROPERLY TRAINED AND AS A RESULT MANY PEOPLE ARE SICK AND NOT > GETTING TREATED. > > It started off with all the Staff people introducing > themselves. I didn't have a way to take down what offices were > there, but I think there were about 25 people there with 15 offices > represented. I will try to find out next week who they were so > that if your Senator sent a rep, you can send them a short thank > you note. I remember a few: Kennedy, Jeffords, Feinstein, > Salazar, Clinton, Boxer. I'll find out the others next week. > Kennedy's staff was really pleased with the turn out. > > I did a short intro of the doctors. Was able to tell the > Staffers that collectivey, they were looking at 100 years of > research! We started off with Dr. Sherris. He is an ENT Surgeon > with a very strong research background in fungal sinusitis. He did > a great job. Very charming man. The staff people loved him. He > brought a power point presentation with slides. At one point he > said " We are exploring new ways of obtaining cultures " . The next > slide was of Queen Elizebeth picking her nose. He was succinct, > informative and keep everyone's attention on what would typically > be a very dry subject to lay people. He also set the tone for the > meeting. It had a good feel. > > Next was Dr. Marinkovich. He, too, did a wonderful job and was > very charming. He talked about how mycology has become the ophan > child of science. About how steroids are not a good thing long > term. About how this issue is in the hands of allergists and it > needs to be more in the hands of those who better understand > immunology. The staffers had a bunch of questions for him, to the > point I had to cut them off so Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Yang could > present. Dr. Markinkovich had to leave early. I saw one staffer > follow him out the door asking questions as she went. > > Dr. Shoemaker went next. He brought a power point presentation, > too. It was really good. He went into more of the effects of the > toxins themselves. Talked of the cognitive and serious, long term > dibilitating symptoms we experieince. True to form, part of Dr. > Shoemaker's presentation was to advocate for you. He described > what a typical patient is like and what they have been through > before they get to his office. I was watching the staffers on this > one. I think it sunk into them what we are going through. I was > running out of time, so I had to hold questions for Dr. Shoemaker > until after Dr. Yang presented. > > Not that the focus of this was indoor air, but Dr. Yang gave an > overview of what is causing some of the problem. He described abit > about the builidings and how changes in standards are much of the > cause of the jincrease in mycotic disease. His pictures of really > moldie buildings gave a good visual of what the problem is from an > indoor air standpoint. He had one slide with four white mushrooms > growing out of a couch. He told the staffers " It is not good to > have mushrooms growing in your house " . Got a huge laugh. He kept > their attention the whole time. He and Dr. Shoemaker received very > good questions. As an old salesman, I know questions indicate > interest. > > Segal was there from Congressman Conyers' office. He was > the only Congressional staff person invited. talked briefly > of how much this issue upsets him. Especially the children. Said > they get more calls on this issue than any other, but they are not > able to do anything, other than take down the info. Said they are > not set up to be a social service agency and it breaks his heart > they haven't been able to move any legislation forward to help us. > > I wrapped up with a one minute closing and made the request > again that we need the Senate's help to break the ugly cycle of the > mold issue. > > So, I think it went well. Now we just sit back and wait to > see if this is an issue they all will take on for a cause. We have > to remember that there are many people out there that need help > from so many different angles. Senators can only address what they > can address - especially with an issue as complicated as this one. > This one is a huge commitment for whoever champions it. But think > we are on their radar. I think we will be able to move this forward. > > PLEASE DO NOT CALL YOUR SENATOR'S OFFICE, OTHER THAN TO THANK > THOSE THAT SENT A REP. We need to be alittle low key and > professional at this point in time if we want to collectively make > progress on this front. > > Also, please do not put all your eggs in this basket. Or think, > that finally our voice has been heard. That is simply NOT the > case. We have to keep pushing on all fronts. I just work on the > medical misunderstanding. As do others from different angles. We > all know there is far more to this issue than just the medical. And > there are many people who are working this issue from alot of > different angles. So keep pushing on the areas you are working. > TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING TO BEAT THE MOLD ISSUE ON ALL FRONTS!!!!!!!!!!! > > Thanks for making those calls last week. It made and is making > the difference! And of course, thanks as usual to Mr. Information > Central - KC of Sickbuildings!!! > > Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Good points! I seems like a long rough rode ahead. --- LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote: > I think that this will be an issue we have *a lot* > of trouble getting > Republicans to vote with us on. Just look at their > position on other > environmental law issues. Basically, they see US as > the problem. Plus, > they don't think that government should be at all > involved in public > education. Kind of like the way things were in the > 19th century. > Seriously. In private they say that government > should be starved to > death.. They want an army and strong military.. > (robotic, if possible) > and protection for US corporate interests and > investments (factories, > markets, IP, etc.) around the world.. but hands off > things like > consumer issues here. Caveat emptor is the name of > the game for them. > > We may have some luck through contract law, though, > with them. If > people could get contractual agreements up front > from landlords (at an > extra cost) to ensure certified mold-free > apartments, they would > probably support a tort being available for people > if it was violated. > > But the mold standards would have to be explicitly > spelled out in that > contract. Pre-rental or pre-sale. > > This is all I have been able to get my conservative > friends to agree > on vis-a-vis mold. Even if its toxic, they see it as > a choice issue. > People 'choose to live in crappy apartments' because > they are cheaper. > > They honestly don't want the government paying to > educate children or > enforce consumer laws. They want the marketplace and > reputations to > decide that. > > > > On 1/14/06, snk1955@... <snk1955@...> wrote: > > Hi All, > > > > I think DC went well. The week actually > started out with the teachers > > being in DC. Barnett and the Healthy > Schools Network had their big > > meeting in DC. As I understand it, their focus > is poor indoor air quality in > > general in the schools. But they have a > contingency of teachers through > > Center for School Mold Help, that focus on the > mold problems in schools. > > > > Did not get to attend their meeting, but as I > understand it, > > Westmorland gave a presentation to the teachers' > organizations about illness from > > mold that knocked 'em dead! Did get to talk to > . She felt that it is > > becoming much more widely understood that mold > causes serious illness. There > > were some Senate staff people also present at > that meeting. On Wed, the > > teachers went out to meet with their individual > legislators. They took with > > them an invitation to the briefing. > > > > We need to thank the " Boston Babes " for helping > us get the ear of their > > Senator Kennedy and thank all of our teachers for > getting alot of the word > > out. We also need to thank the ladies from > Homeowners for Better Builders > > ( Seats and Haynes) who made an > organized effort for getting many > > encourgaing calls made. And of course, all of us > from Sickbuildings, Aspergillus > > UK, Homeowners For Better Buildings, Policy > Holders of America and Mold-Help > > - who also made calls urging the Staffers to > come. , from FDRC made > > some very key contacts, too. > > > > So the briefing itself was on Thurs. Before it > started, Kennedy's staff > > person, explained to us that the way these things > typically work is that 10 > > people is a good crowd and to not be disappointed > if people floated in and out > > and left early. That just the way these things > go. > > > > Well that wasn't the way this one went. People > were on time and they > > stayed for the entire hour and a half > presentation. They had even more > > questions to ask, but there was another meeting > right behind us. So we had to wrap > > it up. Many were asking questions as our doctors > were going out the door. > > Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have it video > taped. They don't do that for > > staff meetings. > > > > The meeting was hosted by Senator Kennedy and > Senator Jefford's office. > > Kennedy is a Democrat. Jeffords is an > independant. So we had no Republican > > host. This meant that the Republican staffers > did not receive a formal > > invitation. But I think some of them came anyway > on YOUR request. > > > > I wouldn't read a whole lot into the fact that > we had no Republican > > sponsor. I think it may have just been a matter > of timing - that they did not > > have the opportunity to speak with the doctors > long before hand like the other > > two offices did. > > > > Also, we had requested Dr. Hudnell from the > EPA come and speak about > > neurotoxins. That ended up being alittle > confusing, too. The EPA wasn't sure > > if this meant they were taking the lead on the > meeting or why the CDC wasn't > > invited or etc.....The EPA even called the CDC to > come. The CDC was not > > prepared and they didn't know why it was being > presented partisan. So the > > opted not to. > > > > The EPA was going to send someone, then not, > then they were, but they > > ended up not. Again, I wouldn't read the EPA's > and the CDC's absence from the > > meeting to mean too much, other than gov't > agencies get weird when it comes > > to understanding/defining their role when > presenting to the Senate. I am > > sure they have past experience that tells them > this is a wise thing to do. We > > weren't looking for a gov't meeting in the first > place. We just want it to be > > heard of what our doctors are seeing that the > gov't is not. So it was just > > as well that they didn't show. With only four > presenters, it gave the > > staffers time to ask a few questions. Although I > would have really loved for the > > staffers to be able to hear Dr. Hudnell speak > about neuorotoxins - whether he > > was from the EPA or not. > > > > The CDC offered to hold another meeting on > the matter later on in > > conjunction with the EPA and the NIH. I say > that's great. But not if they are > > intending to hold a mutual admiration society > meeting where they all agree and > > praise each other for what they collectively > don't know. If this briefing > > ever comes about, you can be darn sure I will get > our best to get our two > > cents in there. > > > > Even though the EPA was not there at the > briefing. They were holding the > > Tools for Schools meeting. I actually came away > from the week feeling like > > there are many researchers within the EPA who > want to help us. It's just some > > at key positions that are holding the reins. > > > > So, our briefing was not about indoor air or > outdoor air. It was not > > about remediation or microbial investigation. It > was not about the insurance > > industry, Realtors or builders. It was focused > on one point and one point > > only. THE DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY TRAINED > AND AS A RESULT MANY PEOPLE > > ARE SICK AND NOT GETTING TREATED. > > > > It started off with all the Staff people > introducing themselves. I > > didn't have a way to take down what offices were > there, but I think there were > > about 25 people there with 15 offices represented. > I will try to find out next > === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Can't believe my spelling of " road. " Maybe a little freudian slip. --- dottykalm <dottykalm@...> wrote: > Good points! I seems like a long rough rode ahead. > > --- LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote: > > > I think that this will be an issue we have *a lot* > > of trouble getting > > Republicans to vote with us on. Just look at their > > position on other > > environmental law issues. Basically, they see US > as > > the problem. Plus, > > they don't think that government should be at all > > involved in public > > education. Kind of like the way things were in the > > 19th century. > > Seriously. In private they say that government > > should be starved to > > death.. They want an army and strong military.. > > (robotic, if possible) > > and protection for US corporate interests and > > investments (factories, > > markets, IP, etc.) around the world.. but hands > off > > things like > > consumer issues here. Caveat emptor is the name of > > the game for them. > > > > We may have some luck through contract law, > though, > > with them. If > > people could get contractual agreements up front > > from landlords (at an > > extra cost) to ensure certified mold-free > > apartments, they would > > probably support a tort being available for people > > if it was violated. > > > > But the mold standards would have to be explicitly > > spelled out in that > > contract. Pre-rental or pre-sale. > > > > This is all I have been able to get my > conservative > > friends to agree > > on vis-a-vis mold. Even if its toxic, they see it > as > > a choice issue. > > People 'choose to live in crappy apartments' > because > > they are cheaper. > > > > They honestly don't want the government paying to > > educate children or > > enforce consumer laws. They want the marketplace > and > > reputations to > > decide that. > > > > > > > > On 1/14/06, snk1955@... <snk1955@...> > wrote: > > > Hi All, > > > > > > I think DC went well. The week actually > > started out with the teachers > > > being in DC. Barnett and the Healthy > > Schools Network had their big > > > meeting in DC. As I understand it, their focus > > is poor indoor air quality in > > > general in the schools. But they have a > > contingency of teachers through > > > Center for School Mold Help, that focus on the > > mold problems in schools. > > > > > > Did not get to attend their meeting, but as > I > > understand it, > > > Westmorland gave a presentation to the teachers' > > > organizations about illness from > > > mold that knocked 'em dead! Did get to talk to > > . She felt that it is > > > becoming much more widely understood that mold > > causes serious illness. There > > > were some Senate staff people also present at > > that meeting. On Wed, the > > > teachers went out to meet with their individual > > legislators. They took with > > > them an invitation to the briefing. > > > > > > We need to thank the " Boston Babes " for > helping > > us get the ear of their > > > Senator Kennedy and thank all of our teachers > for > > getting alot of the word > > > out. We also need to thank the ladies from > > Homeowners for Better Builders > > > ( Seats and Haynes) who made an > > organized effort for getting many > > > encourgaing calls made. And of course, all of > us > > from Sickbuildings, Aspergillus > > > UK, Homeowners For Better Buildings, Policy > > Holders of America and Mold-Help > > > - who also made calls urging the Staffers to > > come. , from FDRC made > > > some very key contacts, too. > > > > > > So the briefing itself was on Thurs. Before > it > > started, Kennedy's staff > > > person, explained to us that the way these > things > > typically work is that 10 > > > people is a good crowd and to not be > disappointed > > if people floated in and out > > > and left early. That just the way these things > > go. > > > > > > Well that wasn't the way this one went. > People > > were on time and they > > > stayed for the entire hour and a half > > presentation. They had even more > > > questions to ask, but there was another meeting > > right behind us. So we had to wrap > > > it up. Many were asking questions as our > doctors > > were going out the door. > > > Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have it video > > taped. They don't do that for > > > staff meetings. > > > > > > The meeting was hosted by Senator Kennedy and > > Senator Jefford's office. > > > Kennedy is a Democrat. Jeffords is an > > independant. So we had no Republican > > > host. This meant that the Republican staffers > > did not receive a formal > > > invitation. But I think some of them came > anyway > > on YOUR request. > > > > > > I wouldn't read a whole lot into the fact > that > > we had no Republican > > > sponsor. I think it may have just been a matter > > of timing - that they did not > > > have the opportunity to speak with the doctors > > long before hand like the other > > > two offices did. > > > > > > Also, we had requested Dr. Hudnell from the > > EPA come and speak about > > > neurotoxins. That ended up being alittle > > confusing, too. The EPA wasn't sure > > > if this meant they were taking the lead on the > > meeting or why the CDC wasn't > > > invited or etc.....The EPA even called the CDC > to > > come. The CDC was not > > > prepared and they didn't know why it was being > > presented partisan. So the > > > opted not to. > > > > > > The EPA was going to send someone, then not, > > then they were, but they > > > ended up not. Again, I wouldn't read the EPA's > > > and the CDC's absence from the > > > meeting to mean too much, other than gov't > > agencies get weird when it comes > > > to understanding/defining their role when > > presenting to the Senate. I am > > > sure they have past experience that tells them > > this is a wise thing to do. We > > > weren't looking for a gov't meeting in the > first > > place. We just want it to be > > > heard of what our doctors are seeing that the > > gov't is not. So it was just > > > as well that they didn't show. With only four > > presenters, it gave the > > > staffers time to ask a few questions. Although > I > > would have really loved for the > > > staffers to be able to hear Dr. Hudnell speak > > about neuorotoxins - whether he > > > was from the EPA or not. > > > > > > The CDC offered to hold another meeting on > > the matter later on in > > > conjunction with the EPA and the NIH. I say > > that's great. But not if they are > > > intending to hold a mutual admiration society > > meeting where they all agree and > > > praise each other for what they collectively > > don't know. If this briefing > === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 " We have to remember that there are many people out there that need help from so many different angles. " Sharon, I was talking with another mold victim the other day and thought about this point. There are just so many victims out there today of so many injustices, I don't know which group of victims is going to get help first. The list is just too numerous to go on: the people losing their jobs to overseas markets, the current Medicaid/Medicare crisis with prescription drugs, the poor Katrinia victims, the victims of greedy drug manufacturers, toxic commercial products, the victims of the Iraq war, the military families, and I can't even bear to think of all the rest on the injustice list. Doesn't mean we should stop trying, but trying to be realistic too. --- snk1955@... wrote: > Hi All, > > I think DC went well. The week actually > started out with the teachers > being in DC. Barnett and the Healthy > Schools Network had their big > meeting in DC. As I understand it, their focus is > poor indoor air quality in > general in the schools. But they have a > contingency of teachers through > Center for School Mold Help, that focus on the mold > problems in schools. > > Did not get to attend their meeting, but as I > understand it, > Westmorland gave a presentation to the teachers' > organizations about illness from > mold that knocked 'em dead! Did get to talk to > . She felt that it is > becoming much more widely understood that mold > causes serious illness. There > were some Senate staff people also present at that > meeting. On Wed, the > teachers went out to meet with their individual > legislators. They took with > them an invitation to the briefing. > > We need to thank the " Boston Babes " for helping > us get the ear of their > Senator Kennedy and thank all of our teachers for > getting alot of the word > out. We also need to thank the ladies from > Homeowners for Better Builders > ( Seats and Haynes) who made an organized > effort for getting many > encourgaing calls made. And of course, all of us > from Sickbuildings, Aspergillus > UK, Homeowners For Better Buildings, Policy Holders > of America and Mold-Help > - who also made calls urging the Staffers to come. > , from FDRC made > some very key contacts, too. > > So the briefing itself was on Thurs. Before it > started, Kennedy's staff > person, explained to us that the way these things > typically work is that 10 > people is a good crowd and to not be disappointed if > people floated in and out > and left early. That just the way these things go. > > Well that wasn't the way this one went. People > were on time and they > stayed for the entire hour and a half presentation. > They had even more > questions to ask, but there was another meeting > right behind us. So we had to wrap > it up. Many were asking questions as our doctors > were going out the door. > Unfortunately, I wasn't able to have it video taped. > They don't do that for > staff meetings. > > The meeting was hosted by Senator Kennedy and > Senator Jefford's office. > Kennedy is a Democrat. Jeffords is an independant. > So we had no Republican > host. This meant that the Republican staffers did > not receive a formal > invitation. But I think some of them came anyway > on YOUR request. > > I wouldn't read a whole lot into the fact that we > had no Republican > sponsor. I think it may have just been a matter of > timing - that they did not > have the opportunity to speak with the doctors long > before hand like the other > two offices did. > > Also, we had requested Dr. Hudnell from the EPA > come and speak about > neurotoxins. That ended up being alittle confusing, > too. The EPA wasn't sure > if this meant they were taking the lead on the > meeting or why the CDC wasn't > invited or etc.....The EPA even called the CDC to > come. The CDC was not > prepared and they didn't know why it was being > presented partisan. So the > opted not to. > > The EPA was going to send someone, then not, > then they were, but they > ended up not. Again, I wouldn't read the EPA's > and the CDC's absence from the > meeting to mean too much, other than gov't agencies > get weird when it comes > to understanding/defining their role when > presenting to the Senate. I am > sure they have past experience that tells them this > is a wise thing to do. We > weren't looking for a gov't meeting in the first > place. We just want it to be > heard of what our doctors are seeing that the gov't > is not. So it was just > as well that they didn't show. With only four > presenters, it gave the > staffers time to ask a few questions. Although I > would have really loved for the > staffers to be able to hear Dr. Hudnell speak about > neuorotoxins - whether he > was from the EPA or not. > > The CDC offered to hold another meeting on the > matter later on in > conjunction with the EPA and the NIH. I say that's > great. But not if they are > intending to hold a mutual admiration society > meeting where they all agree and > praise each other for what they collectively don't > know. If this briefing > ever comes about, you can be darn sure I will get > our best to get our two > cents in there. > > Even though the EPA was not there at the > briefing. They were holding the > Tools for Schools meeting. I actually came away > from the week feeling like > there are many researchers within the EPA who want > to help us. It's just some > at key positions that are holding the reins. > > So, our briefing was not about indoor air or > outdoor air. It was not > about remediation or microbial investigation. It > was not about the insurance > industry, Realtors or builders. It was focused on > one point and one point > only. THE DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY TRAINED > AND AS A RESULT MANY PEOPLE > ARE SICK AND NOT GETTING TREATED. > > It started off with all the Staff people > introducing themselves. I > didn't have a way to take down what offices were > there, but I think there were > about 25 people there with 15 offices represented. > I will try to find out next > week who they were so that if your Senator sent a > rep, you can send them a > short thank you note. I remember a few: Kennedy, > Jeffords, Feinstein, > Salazar, Clinton, Boxer. I'll find out the others > next week. Kennedy's staff was > really pleased with the turn out. > > I did a short intro of the doctors. Was able to > tell the Staffers that > collectivey, they were looking at 100 years of > research! We started off with > Dr. Sherris. He is an ENT Surgeon with a very > strong research background in > fungal sinusitis. He did a great job. Very > charming man. The staff people > loved him. He brought a power point presentation > with slides. At one point > he said " We are exploring new ways of obtaining > cultures " . The next slide > was of Queen Elizebeth picking her nose. He was > succinct, informative and keep > everyone's attention on what would typically be a > very dry subject to lay > people. He also set the tone for the meeting. It > had a good feel. > > Next was Dr. Marinkovich. He, too, did a > wonderful job and was very > charming. He talked about how mycology has become > the orphan child of science. > About how steroids are not a good thing long term. > About how this issue is > in the hands of allergists and it needs to be more > in the hands of those who > better understand immunology. The staffers had a > bunch of questions for him, > to the point I had to cut them off so Dr. Shoemaker > and Dr. Yang could > present. Dr. Markinkovich had to leave early. I saw > one staffer follow him out the > door asking questions as she went. > > Dr. Shoemaker went next. He brought a power > point presentation, too. It > was really good. He went into more of the effects of > the toxins themselves. > Talked of the cognitive and serious, long term > dibilitating symptoms we > experieince. True to form, part of Dr. Shoemaker's > presentation was to advocate > === message truncated === __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2006 Report Share Posted January 17, 2006 THANK YOU SHARON!!!!! I made my calls and will be interested to see if they were in attendance! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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