Lettere dalla Germania

HELP ME

Chi ha letto tra queste pagine avrà compreso che mi trovo in una condizione di salute, economica, sociale e di disabilità fuori dal comune e non compensabile con gli attuali contributi per cui qualsasi forma di aiuto, a distanza e/o nei territori dove mi trovo talvolta, sarà apprezzata ma sopratutto vitale.

Nei limiti della mia condizione posso eventaulmente scambiare consulenze e presentazioni su varie tematiche della “green economy” preferibilmente a distanza in teleconferenza.

Circa la necessità di aiuti esterni lascio la parola alle conclusioni della Prof. Gibson, autrice di numerosi rapporti e studi sull’ impatto nella vita quotidiana delle malattie ambientali.

In altre parole, se senti che vorresti aiutarmi non avanzare oltre poichè non ci sarà probabilmente nessun altro che potrebbe fare la differenza per il sottoscritto tra il sopravvivere come ora o tornare ad una vita (quasi) normale con un lavoro compatibile e una vita indipendente.

“You can see that the life impacts of having MCS and/or ES are extensive. Yet people with MCS have found ways of coping even without any cultural support. A number of people with MCS and ES have made tremendous contributions to disability and environmental advocacy and policy. Some of the MCS advocates are people who began support networks when there was absolutely no knowledge or support of any kind for those with these hidden disabilities. How much easier would their paths have been had some support and advocacy been available to them?

Although there are no official data on what percentage of people with sensitivities commit suicide, it happens when the stresses become too severe and the person sees no way out. Many of these people have no money, no home, no support, and certainly no advocates. One supportive person may be a lifeline to someone who is quickly losing her or his place
in society.

By informing yourself about MCS and ES you are helping to ease the way for people who could otherwise fall completely through the cracks of our system. You could be the only person in someone’s life who actually believes him or her and is willing to listen and brainstorm about possible actions. Having just a basic understanding of the problem and being willing to learn from people with MCS and ES will place you in an excellent position to help.

It is expected that many more people will develop MCS in coming years due to environmental contamination. Many of the people in my study have had MCS for decades (the average time was 15 years). Therefore, if MCS is environmentally caused, many people suffered their initial sensitizing exposure many years ago. How many more people are developing MCS now as a result of increasing air, water and food contamination? And events such as the World Trade Center destruction set up large portions of the population to develop environmentally induced illnesses that may or may not develop into MCS. It is crucial that our institutions recognize and respond to the plight of these people in order to be positioned to help the increasing numbers who will request help. However, I do not expect that this recognition will begin in the hierarchical/professional institutions such as universities and medical centers, but rather in grassroots types of settings where people have ongoing contact with people with the problem. The MCS support groups have begun the fight for recognition of this disability. Centers for independent living are perhaps the next level where this work can continue with your help.”

Source:

ILRU / NCIL / APRIL:

The IL NET is a collaborative project of Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) and the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), with funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

ILRU is a program of The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), a nationally recognized, freestanding medical rehabilitation facility for persons with physical and cognitive disabilities. TIRR is part of TIRR Systems, which is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing a continuum of services to individuals with disabilities.

National Training & Technical Assistance Project
Expanding the Power of the Independent Living Movement