Chaudywogbaaga

I know several people that have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Most of them have to hide from crowds of people that use fabric softener and deodorant. One wears a facemask that is rated for chemical vapors and it makes life easier but even among people that are used to it, the facemask is still embarrassing. When around new people you have to endlessly explain what it means to have something invisible and unnoticed cause you pain. Most people simply think you’re nuts.

There may be a psychological aspect to MCS but after living chemical free for many years now, even though I don’t have the condition, I can smell the chemicals. They smell pretty awful and if I were just a little bit more sensitive, I would rate some “common” smells as painful. There may be a misfiring of the brain involved but it would be something like Fibromyalgia or Autism, you can’t just tell someone “It’s all in your head, get over it.” Until someone figures out how to fix the misfire, the pain of MCS is real.

That is the motivation for this symbol. It’s purpose is to notify that someone has MCS, also to warn people to consider what chemicals they are wearing before approaching and finally to raise awareness that there are people with the condition. I think if you saw someone wearing a facemask and a pin or a badge with a symbol on it dodging a crowd several times some people would try to find out what it means. Those people would explain it to others and eventually there would be an understanding. It wouldn’t fix everything, but even a rudimentary understanding would help.

I think many people with the condition will initially object to the symbol not saying “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity". I chose simply “Chemical Sensitivity” for two reasons.

One, Multiple is superfluous in this context, if you saw this symbol you would read it that this person is sensitive to all chemicals which is close enough to the truth. When I was first told that someone had Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, I asked “Which chemicals are you sensitive to?” to which the answer was “Almost all of them.” (which isn’t really true but it might seem that way). This way people aren’t trying to figure that out. They just assume “all of them".

Two not everyone who is chemical sensitive and would benefit from wearing this symbol has MCS or is diagnosed with MCS. This way there is no dispute over medical terms and diagnoses you are simply stating that you are sensitive.

My hope is that this symbol comes into use and that it helps to lessen the stress of those that suffer from the invisible fumes that most people have the luxury to ignore.