Boule de feu
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,118
- Location
- Ottawa, Canada
Before I start, let me say that I am very thankful for the hard work and commitment from the organizers,and associations that were involved... I will never say it enough: THANK YOU!
ME needs to get world-wide recognition and without any doubt, all the ones involved ARE working very hard to get that.
However, there is one thing that really bothered me during this event. I hope nobody will be insulted - it's not my intention to criticize anyone - I just want to see if it could have been avoided.
While we were waiting for the next speaker to come up front, a lady walked right in front of us. She was wearing a very strong PERFUME!!! I can't imagine it was a patient or a carer... It looked more like a student (future doctor, maybe?). I have a very difficult time explaining how someone who is attending a conference on CFS could not be aware that many of us are suffering from MCS. I was doing fine before this happened. Once exposed, I could not think anymore, my cheeks were flushed, I started perspiring profusely, I had a runny nose, my throat became tighter, and the severe nausea kicked in. I was dizzy. The lady next to me got worried. I started wondering if i should leave. Fortunately, the young lady left (maybe because someone had told her it was a flagrant-free event? I sure hope so.)
Later, that afternoon, i found out that Staci Stevens (Vice-President of IACFS and speaker - Activity intolerance) was wearing a mask because of MCS. There were a few other patients as well. I was pretty angry at myself that I had not thought of bringing mine... :-( When Stacy mentioned that the choice of a "newly-renovated" hotel was not a good choice, I yelled: "and it should have been perfume-free!". Fortunately (or unforunately?), I don't think anyone heard me... :-(
Maybe it could be mentioned on the registration site next time? CFS event - "perfume-free" registration.
It was my first CFS event. It was my first real outing since March 2006. I don't regret going (so many good speakers and caring people!) but after Thursday, i realized that I am still too fragile to spend long hours in public spaces. I think i'll wait a bit more before going to another one.
P.S. By the way, Cort is more handsome in real life. ;-)
ME needs to get world-wide recognition and without any doubt, all the ones involved ARE working very hard to get that.
However, there is one thing that really bothered me during this event. I hope nobody will be insulted - it's not my intention to criticize anyone - I just want to see if it could have been avoided.
While we were waiting for the next speaker to come up front, a lady walked right in front of us. She was wearing a very strong PERFUME!!! I can't imagine it was a patient or a carer... It looked more like a student (future doctor, maybe?). I have a very difficult time explaining how someone who is attending a conference on CFS could not be aware that many of us are suffering from MCS. I was doing fine before this happened. Once exposed, I could not think anymore, my cheeks were flushed, I started perspiring profusely, I had a runny nose, my throat became tighter, and the severe nausea kicked in. I was dizzy. The lady next to me got worried. I started wondering if i should leave. Fortunately, the young lady left (maybe because someone had told her it was a flagrant-free event? I sure hope so.)
Later, that afternoon, i found out that Staci Stevens (Vice-President of IACFS and speaker - Activity intolerance) was wearing a mask because of MCS. There were a few other patients as well. I was pretty angry at myself that I had not thought of bringing mine... :-( When Stacy mentioned that the choice of a "newly-renovated" hotel was not a good choice, I yelled: "and it should have been perfume-free!". Fortunately (or unforunately?), I don't think anyone heard me... :-(
Maybe it could be mentioned on the registration site next time? CFS event - "perfume-free" registration.
It was my first CFS event. It was my first real outing since March 2006. I don't regret going (so many good speakers and caring people!) but after Thursday, i realized that I am still too fragile to spend long hours in public spaces. I think i'll wait a bit more before going to another one.
P.S. By the way, Cort is more handsome in real life. ;-)