more GOOD NEWS ... never under-estimate the power of a letter

Earlier in the week, my friend Eileen joined her choir for a gathering of song for Memorial Day.  I heard about the event through my husband Pete.  Eileen and MK share their land with us, and during the year we have been here she has become an understanding advocate for those who live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.  The process of becoming aware of this condition-illness does not easily move to acceptance for those living with or observing the condition-illness.  Time and willingness are two factors that must couple, and even that combination will be affected by circumstance.  The third-part of the process of change:  action can be a long time coming.  We know from experience the journey through awareness, acceptance and action.  The years of healing from MCS has brought us to today, and this is the good news.

The following (edited to exclude a full-name) email was sent to the members in Eileen's choir just the other day. 

"I want to say something about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). I knew little about it until Pete and Mokihana moved onto our land. (You all know Pete. He brought the risers to UU for us and took them back. Now he's repairing them so we can use them again with safety.) At first I was skeptical about MCS. It was difficult to make sense out of Mokihana's responses to the threat of chemical contact. It seemed inconsistent. 

Scents and fragrances are indicators of chemicals in the air. Individual responses can include itching, respiratory response, hives, feeling like you have the flu, fatigue, and a host of other problems that can last for days. The way I was able to make sense of Moki's responses to chemicals is that it is about being safe. To learn more about Multiple Chemical Sensitivities check out Mokihana's blog Fragrance Free in 23.  Mokihana was able to attend our Spring concert by standing at the back door of the church. She was so happy to be able to hear us.

 If you are willing, I invite you to consider creating our choir as a safe space for folks with chemical sensitivities. A number of folks in the choir besides R react to fragrances. Drier sheets, perfume, hair products even essential oils can trigger reactions in those with chemical sensitivites. Personally, I'm not sure that the fragrance that set off R's reaction was on one of us but in the practice room. I caught the fragrance and started coughing when we walked into the room and I was one of the first ones in there and I am fragrance free. One of the things that makes a huge difference to MCS folks is having a community that will stand with them, trust that the illness is real, and give up as many fragrances as possible. If you are not able to give them up. Then it helps if they are told ahead of time when you are wearing a fragrance, or if you detect a fragrance in a room so it doesn't take them by surprise. MCS is unique to each individual and each day is different from every other. Stress and fatigue, the intensity of the fragrance, the environment, the occasion all have an effect upon how the reaction will unfold. Thanks for allowing me to share my experience learning to trust and appreciate my new friend Mokihana and being open to understanding how I can support her and other folks with MCS."

Eileen

Mahalo Eileen for your trust, and your letter(email)
Love,
Mokihana