Words out of context

[Guest guest]

Wow. It's interesting that I had to hear about all of the things

being said about me from a colleague who frequents both this list and

IE Quality... I was momentarily whisked back to high school days and

could almost feel my ears burning!

Shame on those of you who so quickly made assumptions about me, my

family's ordeal, my objectives within the industry, or my health for

that matter... The " mold ordeal " and life for that matter, is

personal in the sense that no one has the same exact experience - but

as a human being we should try to " relate and sympathize. " Is it

pertinent that " your " experience was worse than " mine " ? It's all

really a perception really, and to be honest, every time I would or do

even momentarily start to feel sorry for myself - I remember that

there are those out there worse off than me. There is great power in

positive thinking people, whether you choose to believe it or not...

I'll give you an example: When my son was 2 yrs. old I became

pregnant, was very excited, and then had a miscarriage, my 2nd one.

After I had my D & C, I put my happy face back on and went on with my

life. There were certain people who made the comment that I should be

at home " grieving. " My question was " why " ? What good would it do my

son or my family? I had/have so much to be thankful for...

I feel it only appropriate that I set the record straight in regards

to " how " my comments were meant, seeing as I'm the one who made them.

I wish that could have made a comment to me directly instead of

throwing bits of my statement out there like that. Not nice.

I am saying nothing different really, than I was 6 weeks into my

family's ordeal, except that I now have many thousands of hours of

education and field work to back up what I'm saying. I am a good

consultant, and have helped many many people through their situations

and have helped to restore their homes and buildings to a " healthy

state. " I provide education to thousands of people every year on

proper remediation techniques, preventative measures, good building

science techniques, and how to have a " healthier " home. I do this

because it is part of my path.

Would it make you all " feel better " to know that I have a cyst in my

sinus cavity (chronic sinusitis) or to know that I was diagnosed with

epilepsy (because I started having seizures a few months into living

in our sick house) which is still a mystery? I'm sorry that I only

have epilepsy to contend with for the rest of my life, I guess that

maybe this makes me better off than most of the people on this list?

Even when I was trying to solve that puzzle, and delved into brain

research and reached out to others on different epilepsy groups, did I

realize the importance of positive thinking. People would sign off

with the medications they were taking and list all of the things which

they could no longer do. Sound familiar? What about the things they

COULD still do? Why weren't those things listed? I had a seizure in

Orlando while attending the IAQA Conference this fall. I pick myself

up - and I go on...

One thing which I firmly believe that I tell clients and potential

clients on a daily basis is this: No one has your best interest more

at heart than you. No one ever will. All any of us can try to do

really, is surround ourselves with people who have good intentions.

I lost a lot - including my husband over my " mold ordeal. " I have

worked my ass off to be a credible voice in the IAQ industry. I have

reminded the people in my industry to " put themselves into their

client's shoes. " I have gained the respect of many by voicing my

opinions and trying to raise the bar within this industry, so that

it's a credible one. I am out there every day, helping people just

like you get through their situation. I do this with passion and

compassion. So yes - I have been there - but I also chose to get

educated and move on. As far as the victim statement is concerned;

placed in a negative light, we all are victims of one kind or another

really, are we not? Perception. I too had to explain to my little

boy why all of his stuffed animals had to be thrown away. I also

explained to him that they were really only " things " which could be

replaced, and we at least had each other.

No doubt some will still judge even this, and pick apart my statements

to use what benefits their own perception. It is, after all, to a

certain extent " human nature. " Be my guest.

I am done defending myself and my convictions with this list. I sleep

well at night knowing that I am working to make the world a better

place - one building and one home at a time, which is all I can do.

To me - that's enough.

Stacey Champion

Owner/Consultant

Champion Indoor Environmental Services