educational Archives - Sherri Connell

Going Fragrance Free When Visiting a Loved One – Video Interview

January 7, 2013 By Sherri

Living with Environmental Illness is a challenge that often brings about isolation from public, friends and family.

Many loved ones feel overwhelmed by the endeavor of going fragrance free. They don’t know where to start, where to buy products and often fear making someone ill by missing something. Thus, they often avoid the issue and in turn avoid the person living with chemical intolerance.

As I tell everyone I come in contact with, using fragrance free and natural products is health choice for everyone. In other words, it can be viewed as a positive change for all, rather than a sacrifice just for someone who has an issue.

For those who for whatever reason don’t want to change out all their soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion and hair products, one suggestion I have for people is to keep a Fragrance Free Kit.

Of course, if they want their loved one to visit their home, it will probably need to not have any air fresheners, new carpet, paint, lots of candles, carpet shampoo, stains, harsh cleaners, smokers, regular perfume wearers, etc. On the other hand, if these are not an issues, often there can be some compromise.

First, if the loved one cannot tolerate fragranced laundry products, those will need to be changed long term. These do not wash out easily and linger for many months or longer even when washed multiple times.

Second, we can purchase fragrance free shampoo, soap and deodorant. We keep this under our cabinet and pull them out to use for several showers before visiting with our loved one. We can omit other hair products, lotions, sprays, etc or add fragrance free versions to our kit.

For more information on living with Environmental Illness, the Choose Friendships Over Fragrances Campaign, resources and more: Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign

Do you or a loved one live with debilitating illness or pain? Invisible Disabilities Association

Disclaimer: I am not an expert and this may or may not work for you and your loved one. Please ask your friend or family member what they can or cannot tolerate and what will work for them. Also note that most likely alternatives will not work if there are air fresheners, new carpets, paint, stains, carpet shampoo’s etc. in the home.

What to Say, What Not to Say and How to Help People Living with Illness and Pain

October 30, 2012 By Sherri

Ask anyone living with illness or pain and they will probably be eager to share what many people have said to them over the years that they didn’t feel was very encouraging. In fact, many will tell you that they were very hurt by something someone said.

It is true, that some people in this world may say something that is intentionally judgmental or negative. Nonetheless, we believe that in many cases, friends and family really do want to be supportive, but simply don’t know how.

Some people choose to ignore the issue or person; some toss out platitudes like simple fix-its and others share what they feel is the right thing to say with an expectation that it will be met with appreciation for their insight. However, loved ones often they find themselves perplexed or even angry when instead of being elated by the comment, their friend or family member is clearly frustrated by what was said. Sadly, these encounters can lead to the breaking down of communication and the relationship as a whole.

The Invisible Disabilities Association Founder and President, Wayne Connell and his wife, Sherri, know all too well how relationships can suffer or even end. Wayne believes that loved ones need to learn what he calls, “The Language of Invisible Disabilities.” People can learn these communication and support skills by learning what to say and what not to say and why.

When they can discover why a certain comment or suggestion is not well received, they can gain a better understanding of their loved one’s perspective. This allows them to ascertain how and why certain comments may cause their loved one to feel misunderstood, judged or as if their situation, losses and perseverance are being minimized. As a result, they can move on to learning what kinds of interchange and assistance gives hope, encouragement and the strength to keep fighting.

All of these things are addressed in IDA’s book, But You LOOK Good! How to Encourage and Understand People Living with Illness and Pain, written by Wayne and Sherri (all proceeds go to IDA).

This book gives practical tips on what to say, what not to say and how to help. It also gives insight into why, we as humans, often respond the way we do to debilitating conditions that are not readily obvious. It shares how we may protect ourselves and try to protect our loved one with denial. And it explains how a loved one may appear as if they do not care, when in fact they do. Yet, they just find it too painful to acknowledge the situation, because they don’t want to see their loved one suffer. These points not only help friends and family, but they also help those living with illness or pain better grasp where their loved one is coming from as well. These are the first steps to restoring relationships.

The video below is from the Online Seminar, What to Say, What Not to Say and How to Help People Living with Illness and Pain with Wayne and Sherri Connell. It was presented during the 2012 National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week (NICIAW), founded by Lisa Copen. Wayne and Sherri were Special Guests for the NICIAW Seminar, Invisible Disabilities and the Husband as Caregiver in 2010 that was also featured in 2011. IDA has been involved in the NICIAW week since it’s inception in 2002.

This article first appeared on the Invisible Disabilities Association Website.

RELATED ARTICLES

Chronic Illness Tips: 263 ways to more than “just get by.” Available to download for FREE! Tips adapted from IDA’s booklet, But You LOOK Good! into a collaborative project by NICIAW Founder, Lisa Copen.

FREE Chronic Illness Tips eBook with IDA Founder. Chronic Illness Tips: 263 ways to do more than “just get by.” Lisa Copen and Friends. Rest Ministries.

IDA Founder Guest Speaker for National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. IDA Press Release. July 15, 2012.

Invisible Disabilities and the Husband as Caregiver. IDA Founder and President, Wayne Connell. Interviewed by Lisa Copen on BlogTalk Radio. National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week Online Seminar. September 16, 2010. Featured again September 2011. Listen Here

What to Say, What Not to Say and How to Help with Wayne and Sherri Connell. Online Conference Guest Speakers for the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week. Founded by Lisa Copen of Rest Ministries. Video.

Snickers the Mighty Alert Dog

May 11, 2012 By Sherri

Snickers is not only my pet. She is my precious baby and she alerts me when I have anxiety, stress, blood pressure, heart rate and sugar changes. She paws me, nudges me, sits on me and licks me until I calm down. When I am on the ground and need help, she barks and goes to get my hubby. She also alerts me when there are gas leaks or other smells in the house. Most importantly (tee hee), she barks (relentlessly) when she is out of water or food. Good thing! Cuz I’m doing good to remember mine!

An Alert Dog is just one type of Service Dog, which is trained to assist a person with a disability, by performing tasks that mitigate their disability. There are many specific requirements and qualifications for being a Service Dog.

Alert Dogs help many with PTSD, TBI, Diabetes, Autism, anxiety disorders and more. Many can even remind people to take their medicines, wake them up from nightmares, retrieve items and even call 9-1-1.

Although Snickers can perform several tasks for me, I do not take her to restaurants and such. She does not at this time have the proper behavioral training required to stay focused on me. However, we did take her on our latest trip out of town, in which she was a huge help in keeping me calm and watching out for me in the car and where we stayed.

Therapy Animals and Emotional Support Pets are not the same as Service Dogs and are not granted entrance into public places. However, Therapy Dogs that have had specific training can receive permission to enter such places as hospitals, long-term care centers and schools for therapy purposes.

Read about Service Dog guidelines and requirements from the Invisible Disabilities Association.

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NOTICE! I do my best to relay information, despite my severe cognitive dysfunctions. Yet, I may not always convey what I intended to say. Please remember that I am not a medical or legal professional! Seek legal or medical advice from an expert. Thanks!

Interview Featured During National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week

September 14, 2011 By Sherri

In 2010, my husband Wayne and I were special guests for an online seminar about Marriage with Chronic Illness with Founder of the National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, Lisa Copen. This year, NICIAW did not conduct live online seminars, but featured some of their past workshops, including ours!

Don’t miss the 2011 National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week on September 12-18.

Check out all of the NICIAW Podcasts from past workshops.

Marriage and Chronic Illness – Featured Interview 2011

My MCS Video Interview Featured

June 17, 2011 By Sherri

In February of 2011, I did a short video interview with my incredible friend, Karyn Buxman when I had to have surgery out of town and needed a place to stay. Karyn is a nurse and National Hall of Fame Speaker.

I wanted to get a candid view of what a friend or family may feel, fear or think when I ask them to go fragrance-free so that we may visit.

This video, Choose Friendships Over Fragrances, was published by the Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign, Shortly thereafter, it was featured on the front page of The Canary Report, in the MCS America website and more. What a great way to help others living with adverse health effects from chemicals in fragrances share how vital their relationship with loved ones is to them.

Watch This Video, Choose Friendships Over Fragrances

Watch All Of My Videos

Read Article, May is Environmental Illness Awareness Month

Read More About My Environmental Illness

Watch My Other Video, MCS Can Be Lonely

For more information on the Choose Friendships Over Fragrances Project, go to the Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign.

The Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign was launched by the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the Invisible Disabilities Association. Due to the extent and severity of Sherri’s illness, she is not an employee nor board member of IDA. Sherri does not receive any royalties or compensation from IDA nor any other party.

Environmental Illness Awareness Month

May 20, 2011 By Sherri

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

As many of you know, I get severe, debilitating symptoms such as migraines, vertigo, paralysis, nausea, swelling of the brain and spinal cord, memory loss, cognitive dysfunction and more when I am exposed to the chemicals that make up fragrances in everyday products.

Like so many, I started having these adverse health effects from regular, everyday products. First it started with cigarette smoke, then strong perfumes, then any perfume. Later, it progressed to air fresheners, laundry detergents and now it is any product that has a fragrance.

Adverse reactions to chemicals that make up fragrances is not rare and it is not something just I have. In 1996, the California Health Services Dept found that 15.9% reported being unusually sensitive to everyday chemical. In 2009, University of Washington discovered that 30.5% reported they find scented products on other people irritating. I am sure there are many more who have headaches and other symptoms, but have yet to make the correlation.

It is not the smell that is the issue, it is the chemicals. The term “fragrance” is considered a trade secret, therefore companies can use any conglomeration of chemicals they desire to create their fragrance. These chemicals can attack the nervous, immune and hormone systems.

“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, I am very isolated in my home most of the time. I cannot attend church, miss out on holidays, parties, weddings, graduations, BBQ’s and simple visit. I often go many months without having human interaction and touch with friends. I do have a couple of places I can go once in a while when the environment is controlled, the people I am with are fragrance free and it is during off hours. However, most friends and family still use fragranced products.

I wish I had known what I know now and hope that others will take heed. I hope that more people decide to make a change for themselves as well as for me and the millions of others like myself.

Read More About My Environmental Illness

Watch My Video, MCS Can Be Lonely

Watch My Video, Choose Friendships Over Fragrances

Check Out All My Videos

Please “Choose Friendships Over Fragrances!” Visit the Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign for more information.

Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May 18, 2011 By Sherri

I got Lyme at the age of 14, from tick bites. I immediately started having chronic headaches and infections. At 19, I started having balance issues and paralysis. At 27, I was paralyzed from the ribs down and so sick I could hardly move.

Lyme Disease is becoming more and more prevalent, as the ticks spread via deer, mice, birds and other creatures.

It is vital to get treatment immediately, but Lyme is often misdiagnosed, overlooked and/or under-treated, leaving patients with moderate to debilitating and often life-threatening symptoms.

I have been in the fatal stage of Lyme since 1991, but I am not going down without a fight!

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