Disney Archives - Sherri Connell

Chemical Injury Awareness Month

May 1, 2015 By Sherri

May is Awareness Month for Environmental Illness, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness.

Adverse health reactions to low or moderate levels of chemicals is not a rare disorder some people have and the rest are immune to developing it. A Chemical Injury can happen to anyone! It can occur through a large, sudden exposure or more commonly, from the use of from the use of regular, everyday products (such as air fresheners, cleaners, perfumes, chemically fragranced personal care products, pesticides, paints, stains and new cars or furniture).

In 1996, the California Health Services Dept found that 15.9% reported being unusually sensitive to everyday chemical. In 2010, University of Washington discovered that 30.5% reported they find scented products on other people irritating.

Adverse health effects include, but are not limited to: difficulty breathing, burning eyes, burning skin, blurred vision, headaches, migraines, vertigo, nausea, organ pain, memory loss, cognitive dysfunctions, paralysis, seizures and more.

In addition, I am sure there are many more who have headaches and other symptoms, but have yet to make the correlation. What’s more, these chemicals attack the immune system, nervous system, organs and cells, as well as block and modulate hormone production. As a result, we are all affected, whether we notice it right this moment or not.

It is not the “smell” that is the issue. The term “fragrance” is considered a trade secret, therefore companies can use any conglomeration of dozens of chemicals they desire to create their fragrance.

“A study led by the University of Washington discovered that 25 commonly used scented products emit an average of 17 chemicals each. Of the 133 different chemicals detected, nearly a quarter are classified as toxic or hazardous under at least one federal law” (Steinemann, UW 2010).

As you can imagine, millions like me end up extremely isolated in their homes, missing out on time with friends and family, church, parties, weddings, graduations and holidays, because they wear chemically fragranced products.

This disorder is preventable! I only wish I had known BEFORE and it is my passion to get the word out for others, before they end up where I have been.

Here is my plea: Please stop using toxic chemicals in your home, on your lawn and on your body! There are many wonderful alternatives for cleaning and personal care products. Please do it for those who react to these products and are isolated from you if you use them. Please do this your family and for those around you. Please do this for you!

Read My Full Story!

For more information go to the Invisible Disabilities Association’s website, Cleaner Indoor Air.

MCS Can Be Lonely

Choose Friendships Over Fragrances

Visiting with a Loved One with Chemical Injury

Chemical Sensitivities with Pluto and Minnie

Toxins in Everyday Household Products with Anne Steinemann PhD

My Visit to Disneyland with Chemical Sensitivities

October 10, 2011 By Sherri

Minnie and Sherri at the Health Services Center

Earlier this year (2011), my husband and I had to take a trip to California for medical reasons. Since we were already going to be there, we decided to first stop in Disneyland for some much needed fun!

This was a huge endeavor, not only because I have Multiple Sclerosis and Lyme Disease, but because I also have severe chemical sensitivities and food allergies. Turns out that they were extremely knowledgeable about food allergies, so that was awesome. Read more here!

The biggest fear was that we had never taken a long road trip and we had no idea if I would even be able to stay in a hotel, because of all the chemicals commonly used to clean them. However, they were extremely helpful regarding the room! In fact, they are accustomed to cleaning rooms without chemicals for those who request it and they even have linens and towels that have not been washed in fragranced detergents.

Even arranging all of this, it was a gamble, because the regular use of chemical cleaners and sprays usually linger in carpets, walls and beds. Nonetheless, I am elated to report that the room was delightfully wonderful! I didn’t notice and residuals at all!

The only issue I had was when the housekeepers cleaned the room below me, it wafted up into the vent. We shut it off and left the room. It was fine later.

Of course there were other concerns that could not be helped, in which I had to take care to avoid. For example, housekeeping carts and other sprays in halls. Also, being exposed to laundry detergents, soaps, lotions, deodorants, sunscreens and more from the people in the parks. So, we scheduled the stay during a very quiet time and thankfully I only ran into it briefly a couple of times. In addition, there are rides and shows that have fragrances emitted; but the accessibility crew helped us map those out so that we didn’t go near them.

Finally, the last concern on the agenda were the air fresheners in the park restrooms. Since I am unable to enter a bathroom with those in it, I wouldn’t have have anywhere to go.

My husband (Founder and President of the Invisible Disabilities Association) was able to share information with them about chemical sensitivities, asthma and allergies through the Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign. After Disney reviewed the statistics and details, they made a permanent change at all Disney Parks for the sake of those with environmental illness. Read more here!

I can’t guarantee how your experience will be at Disneyland or at any other hotel or resort. In fact, after our wonderful stay at Disneyland, we booked a hotel so that I could visit family I had not gone to see in over 5 years. Even though they claim they cleaned with the products and did not spray anything, the room was thick with chemicals. We had to pay for the room even though we immediately left. My husband drove up and down the road checking out other hotels, but none were tolerable! It was a nightmare!

Video above of Sherri interviewing Pluto and Minnie and thanking Disney for all they did.

My Visit to Disneyland with Food Allergies

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign

Invisible Disabilities Association

My Visit to Disneyland with Food Allergies

October 5, 2011 By Sherri

Sherri with Chef Nick

In 2011 I had to go to California for medical reasons. My husband and I had not been on a vacation in a very long time, so we decided to stay at Disneyland!

This was extremely overwhelming, not only because I have Multiple Sclerosis and Lyme Disease, but because I also have severe chemical sensitivities and food allergies. We had never taken a long road trip and we had no idea if I would even be able to stay in a hotel, because of all the chemicals commonly used to clean them. The hotel did a fabulous job with our room! Read more here.

As for addressing my food allergies, Disney was incredible! It turns out that they are very well educated about food allergies and sensitivities. Guests with Disabilities contacted Nick, the hotel’s main chef, to discuss my allergies. Nick contacted me for a list of concerns that we were able to discuss.

I have a very extensive list of food allergies, so we opted to discuss them ahead of time. However, in many cases, a guest can alert their server at the restaurant about allergies or sensitivities and a chef will come out to discuss their options. Of course, if you go to the restaurant, Goofy’s Kitchen, like we did, you will get to meet the one and only Chef Goofy!

Wow Disney! You really go above and beyond to help guests enjoy the whole Disney experience. Thank you!