PLEASE HELP! INJURED ART STUDENT
Some1sKid
Dear Friends,
We were told, "If you don't know--ask, and someone
on the internet will know." So, we are going to ask!
Please be kind enough to read through this post
and aid us in helping our injured friend draw and
paint again.
We request help for an Art student and friend, who
is currently suffering from disabling respiratory,
neurological, immunological injuries resulting from
acute and chronic exposures to neurotoxic pesticides
while in the classroom buildings at Southwest Baptist
University (Bolivar, Missouri).
The pesticides, organophosphate "peoplecides" derived
from Sarin nerve gas (degradation product: hydrogen
cyanide, an odorless gas used to execute death row
prisoners and concentration camp victims) and the
endocrine-disrupting organochlorines (related to DDT),
were laced with carcinogenic propellant solvents
(aromatic petroleum distillates, xylene).
Our friend received no antidote during either acute
exposure, and the toxicity/warning labels were withheld.
(At the time, the administration and faculty informed
her that the pesticides were "non-toxic.")
SEVEN YEARS OF ISOLATION AND PAIN
For the last seven years, the severity of the
chemical injuries, which include: Chemically Acquired
Immune Dysfunction (a degenerative, noncommunicable
condition caused by the severe toxic disruption);
severe auto-immunity (due to incomplete detoxification
of the poisons); central/peripheral nervous system
and myelin damage, and upper and lower respiratory
dysfunction from the chemical respiratory burns, have
reduced Marie's formerly-active life to one of
isolation, suffering, and pain.
HELP WITH ADAPTIVE "ARTWORK" SOFTWARE AND DEVICES
Previous to this poisoning, Marie was a promising
artist with a particular interest in realistic
pencil and charcoal drawing, and watercolor and
oil painting (especially illustrations for children's
books, mythical scenes, and realistic images and
portraits).
Since the poisoning, however, most artist's
supplies or mediums aggravate dangerous respiratory
constriction and seizures, and the neurological
injuries limit finger and hand movement, control,
and pressure.
We are optimistic, though, that her hand control
is sufficient to operate some of the new Art/
graphics software which change the width, type,
or quality of a "brush stroke" with commands rather
than pressure on the input device.
We welcome your suggestions concerning software
programs and that would enable her to draw and
paint again?
"FRAMABLE" ARTWORK
We would also like to print hardcopies of her
artwork and request any recommendations on the
best printer, inks, and artist's papers to use
with this art software. Though pesticides have
crippled her body, Marie is still an artist in
her mind, heart, and spirit and she wants to
produce not only artistic computer graphics,
but viable hardcopy "artwork" as well.
REVIEW AND "RE-EDUCATION" SOFTWARE
Any suggestions or information on software
(shareware or commercial software) which might
help her re-train her skills in the following Art
and graphics areas would be greatly appreciated:
ART and THERAPEUTIC ART PROGRAMS
We are told that therapeutic art
programs and "games" which make use
of color, shape, texture, and spatial
relationships to stimulate various
parts of the brain and central
nervous system have been beneficial
to some victims of chemical brain
injury, but we have not been able to
locate any such programs. Is anyone
familiar with such programs or games?
COMPUTER EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING
Any programs that teach computer
education and programming, including
graphics, and computer programming
languages through self-study,
self-testing, and review.
ART LIBRARY AND "E-BOOK" RESOURCES
Written educational materials pose a further
challenge for her because the solvent burns have
so sensitized her respiratory tract that the
related solvents used in processing and printing
most written materials now cause adverse, even
life-threatening, respiratory reactions.
Therefore, though a limited number of texts are
available on tape, we would like to find as much
academic material as possible available via the
electronic media and computer/CD-rom disk.
Is anyone familiar with any reliable sources
of electronic books (especially art history and
technique) and a means of accessing Art library
materials, and reference/research books and
periodicals on-line?
LAPTOP ADAPTATIONS
Similarly, the small amount of solvents vented
by the typical desktop computer can cause
respiratory difficulties. Fortunately, we have
discovered that a LAPTOP computer is relatively
solvent-free, and would like to adapt a laptop
computer for her.
Please keep this in mind if you suggest hardware,
peripheral devices, or software that might be
helpful to her.
DISTANCE LEARNING: ANYONE SUGGEST A GOOD UNIVERSITY?
Also, we wish to locate a university community
that would assist our friend with an on-line
degree or distance education program, computer-
facilitated learning, and on-line library access.
Previous to these injures, Marie had almost
completed requirements for a Bachelor of Science
degree in English, was in the upper one percent in
English/Verbal Skills, and had won scholarships
and awards for her Creative Writing.
She had intended to use her linguistics skills
in Spanish, French, and German to fulfill her
dream to minister to bilingual inter-city and
refugee children at a multi-national church camp.
Despite the injuries, she would like to continue
her studies in English, Literature, History, or
some related field with supplemental courses
in Art. Your input regarding information or
experiences with any ON-LINE COURSES
in these fields or in ART are appreciated.
PROGNOSIS AND THE FUTURE
We have begun a fund to help pay for her computer
equipment/software costs as well as those medical
costs (estimated well over $100,000) which are
not covered by Medicare.
Although initial therapies have stabilized her
fragile condition, the remaining treatments now
require relocation to a hospital rehabilitation
facility which specializes in care for victims
of toxic exposure to industrial solvents (and
pesticide poisoning) for six to eighteen months
of painful physical therapy, detoxification
procedures, and monitored and isolated care.
As daunting as these degenerative, debilitating,
and potentially terminal injuries are, we believe
that the hope of continuing her studies and artwork
may be as important to her survival as the actual
medical and physical therapy.
HARD LESSONS LEARNED
For almost thirty years, SBU administrators had
ignored various student and faculty complaints and
ordered monthly campus-wide applications of toxic
pesticides during daytime business hours. SBU
officials claimed that it was too expensive to pay
the applicator's overtime pay to insure that the
buildings were fumigated while students were not
present, however, a directive was given that the
Old Administration Building be sprayed at 12:10 PM
(AFTER the administrators had gone to lunch, though
students were still walking down the hallways and
attending classes).
Though Marie's doctors verified the chemical burns
and pesticide poisoning, SBU officials allowed an
unlicensed, poorly-trained applicator to continue
daytime fumigation for several more semesters in
spite of label warnings that introducing the product
into the air and spraying while occupants were
present constituted a felony and that inhalation of
the pesticide could be harmful or fatal. She was
again exposed four months later (her first day back
to class)...at 12:10 PM in the Administration Building.
Another stipulation was made--the Computer Labs
were evidently not fumigated at all, because the
pesticides might harm the computer equipment.
This has been a hard lesson for all of us: perhaps
our goal should be, at the very least, to find a
university whose Board of Trustees, Administrators,
and faculty are as concerned for their students as
they are for their computer equipment.
A NEW UNIVERSITY...A NEW HOME
We do believe that true educators do exist and
ask your help in finding a university and community
that has the kindness, compassion, and wisdom
to support her in continuing her education.
Though she could resort to litigation in order to
force SBU's compliance with federal regulations
which prohibit discrimination against disabled or
injured students, a prominent SBU booster summed
up the university's attitude when she remarked,
"If she (Marie) died, there wouldn't be a lawsuit."
Church and community leaders (many past or present
employees, associates, or alumni of SBU) have
actively discouraged attempts by her friends and
family to seek community assistance for her and
have participated in over a dozen frightening and
intimidating incidents which injured or seriously
jeopardized Marie's health.
Local universities (including Southwest Missouri
State University, which apparently suffered a similar
incident in which a student was blinded by an outdoor
pesticide application) are reluctant to become
involved because of their close political, financial,
family, and personal ties to the SBU administration,
employees and alumni.
Unfortunately, SBU's refusal to even consider a
written proposal to accommodate Marie requires
that she avoid universities which have any
relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention
and its affiliate, the Missouri Baptist Convention,
which owns Southwest Baptist University.
Clearly, it is time for us to seek help for Marie
elsewhere.
A MOTHER'S LAST PLEA
In May of 1994, Marie's widowed and dying mother
called from her hospital room. As her frail voice
trembled hopefully, her mother asked, "Honey, can
you write yet...even a little? Will you ever be
able to draw again?" Staring down at her still-
uncooperative hands, Marie didn't know how to
answer. What could she say?
Her mother began to cry and continued: "Your Daddy
loved your drawings and stories and songs. He was
so proud when we took you to college. He told them
how talented and special you were, and they shook
his hand and promised us that they would take care
of you like family. He looked back when we left
the parking lot, and he cried when he saw you
still standing there."
Her mother's tears deepened to sobs, and she said,
"Aren't they going to take care of you?" She
reassured her mother the best she could; there was
so little she could say to ease her mother's grief.
Her mother died several days later. Marie was
too ill to attend her mother's funeral.
If you are somehow "listening," Mrs. O'Hara, please
know that our goal is to do our best to find a way
to care for our friend, Marie, and see that she draws
and writes and sings again...and continues her education.
REPLIES
Please send any cards, letters, or other
"snail-mail" :-) to:
Marie Ann O'Hara
PO Box 633
House Springs, MO 63051
By e-mail, reply privately to this e-mail address:
Some...@aol.com.
ASSISTANCE FUNDS
If you would like to help, a fund has been established
at the following bank to provide for the purchase of
adaptive computer hardware/software and distance
education costs; detoxification and related medical
equipment, supplies, and nutrition costs (few of
which are reimbursed by Medicare); relocation
expenses, and other living expenses:
Please specify:
Marie Ann O'Hara ADDRESS:
Survival/Recovery Fund Bank of Hillsboro
Savings Account number: PO Box 708
#0100075692 Hillsboro, MO 63050
______________
*Updates on Marie's condition will be posted in the
misc.education and sci.environment Newsgroups.
*Home page under construction.
________________THANK YOU_______________
Some1sKid
see the related post below.
==================
Tuesday, April 16, 1996
Marie Ann O辿ara
PO Box 534
Bolivar, MO 65613
Attention: Evaluation Core
Patrica Thrash, Executive Director
Glen Niemeyer, Chair Provost,
Grand Valley State University, Michigan
North Central Association
30 North Lasalle
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Fax: (312)-263-7462
Dear Evaluation Core for Southwest Baptist University:
The following situation is pertinent to the pending accreditation
evaluation of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri
(April 29 through May1, 1996) and certainly reflects on the integrity
of this institution, its Board of Trustees, its administration, its
faculty,
and its staff.
It was my belief that this situation would be resolved from within
Southwest
Baptist University, but it is increasingly apparent that outside
intervention
and observation will be necessary in order to facilitate change.
I have taken the precaution of posting this letter to several archived
Internet mailing lists and newsgroups in the hope that my concerns will be
heard.
I feel that the penalty for attending a Christian university should not be
injury, disability, or death.
Sincerely,
Marie Ann O辿ara
Enclosures:
April 16, 1996 letter to the
Department of Agriculture
>>>page break<<<
Tuesday, April 16, 1996
Marie Ann O辿ara
PO Box 534
Bolivar, MO 65613
Attention: Jim Lea, Pesticide Investigator
Department of Agriculture
Division of Plant Industries
Pesticide Misuse Division
PO Box 630
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0630
Fax: (314)-751-0005
Dear Sir:
I would like to request an investigation into the misapplication
of pesticides in the buildings and on the grounds of Southwest
Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri by the Southwest Baptist
University staff and their pest controller, Campbell Pest Control
of Springfield, Missouri and the on-going attempts by individuals
associated with these entities to conceal the identity, antidote,
application warnings, toxicity and possible delayed, cumulative,
and long-term effects of skin absorption and inhalation exposures
to these compounds.
Contrary to the insistence of SBU officials that the pesticides
were "non-toxic" and harmless, it is now known that the pesticides
were, in fact, organophosphate "peoplecides" derived from Sarin
nerve gas, whose odorless, colorless degration product, hydrogen
cyanide, was used to execute concentration camp victims and
(until it was recently declared unconstitutionally cruel) was utilized
to execute death row prisoners.
More than thirty pesticides, including endrocrine-disrupting
organochlorines (related to DDT), pyrethroids, and carbamates,
were admittedly used in fumigation while students were in the
buildings. Carcinogenic and neurotoxic solvents, such as
aromatic petroleum distillates and xylene, were routinely laced
with these pesticides as propellant agents.
Though my doctors confirmed a violent, near-fatal "reaction"
to such an application while I was attending class in the Casebolt
Science Center in September of 1988 (which involved chemical
respiratory burns and bleeding pneumonia), I was again re-exposed
my first day back to class four months later...at 12:10 PM in
the Old Administration Building.
As later revelations established, SBU administrators had ignored
various student and faculty complaints about the pesticides
since 1962 and had ordered monthly, daytime applications of
these toxic pesticides campus-wide. One notable exception was
the Old Administration Building, which was sprayed at 12:10 PM--
after the administrators had gone to lunch, though students, like
myself, were still walking down the hallways and attending classes.
After I made both verbal and written complaints regarding the
first acute poisoning, SBU's long-time insurer, ITT Hartford,
paid for some of my acute medical care. Following the second
exposure, the ITT Hartford agent, Tom Furr, apologized, made
arrangements to cover some of the medical costs for the second
injury, and explained that he had warned SBU not to fumigate
during business hours.
I later learned, however, that ITT Hartford had not just issued
a warning, but had actually dropped SBU's coverage following my
first injury, and a second insurer, Preferred Risk, was evidently
not even informed of my subsequent exposure in January 1989.
Nonetheless, SBU officials continued to allow an unlicensed, poorly-
trained applicator to fumigate for several more semesters, in spite
of label warnings that introducing the product into the air and spraying
while occupants were present constituted a felony and that inhalation
of the pesticide could be harmful or fatal.
Another SBU student, Judy Taylor, who was not even enrolled
when I was attending SBU, wrote a Letter-to-the-Editor (Bolivar
Herald Free Press, Sept. 26, 1990) to report that, long after I was
disabled by the pesticide poisoning and could no longer continue
my education, she and her classmates were subjected to a similar
injurious pesticide exposure...in the SBU Casebolt Science Center.
Although I attempted to initiate a complaint with the Agriculture
Department on February 2, 1990, due to the life-threatening nature
of the respiratory, neurological, immunological and other injuries
resulting from repeated acute and chronic exposures and the threats
to my health and life, I was unable to proceed at that time.
After exhaustive endeavors to deal with this matter by other
means, I was compelled to file suit against the Southwest Baptist
University and its pest controller, Campbell Pest Control of
Springfield, Missouri on October 9, 1991 in Greene County Court
(Case number, CV191CC2880).
Please consider this letter, the filing papers, and the extensive
sworn Interrogatories which were filed in this litigation on December
20, 1993 as a means of initiating this complaint. I have supplied
the times, dates, places, and names of other individuals who were
exposed and who witnessed exposures in this court documentation.
The sworn depositions of several Southwest Baptist University
administrators and Campbell Pest Control owner, Terry Campbell,
and his applicator contradict statements previously given to the
Agriculture Department, SBU students and their parents, SBU
alumni, the Missouri Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist
Convension leadership, and the Bolivar community.
Further, some SBU staff and their associates (particularly those
involved with the governing bodies, community and church programs,
and the assistance agencies of Polk County and the City of Bolivar)
have willfully encouraged hostility, intimidation, and injury by
deliberately propagating false information and/or tampering with
academic, medical, insurance, and other records.
I would ask that you not contact me directly due to the severity of
my medical condition and speech impairments. However, please
feel free to contact my attorney, Mr. Melvin Belli, for additional
information or assistance. He may be reached at: The Law Offices
of Melvin M. Belli, 30 Hotaling Place, San Francisco, CA 94111;
Telephone: (415)-981-1849; Fax: (415)-989-3516.
You may send written communication to my home address: PO Box 534,
Bolivar, MO 65613. Please send any certified mail without restriction,
because signing for such letters, as required by the post office, is
difficult and painful for me. I ask that you forward copies of all
written
correspondence to my attorney at the address given above.
Sincerely,
Marie Ann O辿ara
List of Receipient Members of the
Board of North Central Association to follow:
>>>page break<<<
This communication is also to be given to the following:
The Membership of the Board of the
North Central Association
30 North Lasalle
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Fax: (312)-263-7462
Patrica Thrash, Executive Director
Glen Niemeyer, Chair Provost,
Grand Valley State University, Michigan
Dorothy MacConkey, NCA Vice Chairman,
President of Davis University, Elkins, West Virginia
Linda Debolt , Business Manager,
Internal Medicine, Riverton, Wyoming
John Cordova, President,
South Mountain Community College, Arizona
Richard Fairbanks, Manager,
Sandia National Laboratories, New Mexico
Maureen Faye, President,
University of Detroit Mercy, Michigan
Stella Clestino Fernandez, Vice President and Provost,
New Campus, Pima County University, Arizona
Sondra Gautt, Assistant Vice Chancellor,
University of Kansas, Kansas
Cynthia Heelan, President,
Colorado Mountain College, Colorado
Margret Lee, President,
Oakton Community College, Illinois
Ann Matasar, Amoco Distinguished Professor of International Business,
Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois
Kay Schallenkamp, Provost and Vice Chancellor,
University of Wisconsin, White Water, Wisconsin
Clifford Shields, Retired Financial Officer,
Standard Oil Company of Ohio
Richard K. Smith, Vice President for Financial Affairs,
Earlham College, Indiana
David Wee, Professor of English,
St. Olaf College, Minnesota
Please forgive any misspellings or inaccuracies as this information
was not available in print and was transcribed over the telephone.
-end-
Some1sKid
Some have requested information on the pesticides and
safer means of pest control. Hope this helps....
Irene Wikenfield is completing a book on the growing number
of incidence involving pesticide posionings on school campuses
which result in injury and permanent disablity.
Safe Schools Project
Irene Wilkenfield
E-mail: ndg...@prodigy.com.
Fax: (318)-984-3342
Her home page offers some valuable insight:
http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~wilk/SafeSchools.html
Related News Item and Additional Resources--
______NEWS SUMMARY_________
"An internal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
memorandum investigates [the pesticide] chlorpyifos
(Dursban) induced delayed neuropathy by reviewing
published medical studies as well as case reports
submitted by [the manufacturer] DowElanco," according
to articles published in the March/April 1996 issue
of Medical & Legal Briefs.
The memorandum summarizes its "weight-of-evidence
conclusion" in the following statement:
"Taking these case reports and studies together,
it now appears reasonable to conclude that some
subset of organophosphate poisoned subjects probably
experience persistent neurobehavioral effects" and
symptoms that "may persist for months or YEARS
after the initial exposure." [Emphasis in original]
The EPA findings echoed the conclusions of the
World Health Organization that there is "reasonable
evidence" of chlorpyifos (Dursban) causing "delayed
peripheral neuropathy in humans."
The DowElanco documentation detailed a variety
of exposure situations in the 217 chlorphyifos-
poisoning case studies--workplace exposures, home
treatments, and pesticide drift from neighboring
application.
Two major SCHOOL incidents were cited, one in
which 70 teachers and students were poisoned by
routine pesticide fumigation. Apparently, there was
no evidence of misapplication in many of the cases
which, nonetheless, resulted in poisoning symptoms.
Symptoms of delayed neuropathy usually begin
within several days to four weeks after acute
organophosphate exposure and include: paresthesia
(unusual sensations in the extremities such as
numbness, tingling, burning, or pain); weakness;
ataxia (difficulty with coordinating movements);
gait changes, or even paralysis. Although
recovery may occur in milder cases, more severe
poisoning cases are usually progressive.
Depression, short-term memory impairment,
inability to concentrate, confusion, irritability,
and other chronic neurobehavioral effects are
known to result from organophosphate exposure.
The DowElanco chlorphyifos-poisoning cases
describe multiple poisoning symptoms, affecting
every body system, and including, in addition
to peripheral neuropathy, impaired vision,
headaches, dizziness, anemia, multiple chemical
sensitivities, nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea,
sinusitis, fatigue, rash, swollen tongue, birth
defects, cancer, liver damage, and seizures.
On April 13, 1995, the EPA fined DowElanco
$1,635,000 for failure to report, as required
under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act, "unreasonable adverse effects"
incidents associated with exposure to chlorpyrifos
and other pesticides (such as trifluralin, triclopyr,
picloram, and 2,4-D, which are registered under
various trade names).
In the final Consent Agreement, the fine was
reduced to $876,000 in recognition of DowElanco's
"good attitude" involving "timely and full cooperation"
during the investigation, and "voluntary disclosure"
of information for the first 288 counts against
DowElanco (most involving chlorphyifos).
EPA agreed not to file further charges based on
information which may come to light as a result of
the "best efforts" of DowElanco and its parent
companies to review company files for subsequent
evidence of any adverse health and environmental
effects of their pesticides.
_______________
References:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Blondell, J.
"Review of Chlorpyifos-Associated Cases of Delayed
Neuropathy." U.S. EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides,
and Toxic Substances memorandum to L. Propst of EPA
Reregistration Branch Special Review and Reregistration
Division, and D. Edwards of EPA Insecticide-Rodenticide
Branch Registration Division. (Jan 19, 1995) 37 pages.
EARN Library Code: 0002-EPAB-95-037
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "In the
matter of DowElanco:
Complaint and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing."
* Docket No. FIFRA 95-H-18 (May 1, 1995) 10 pages.
Earn Library code: 0002-EPAF-95-010
* Docket No. FIFRA 95-H-18 (Jul 22, 1995) 10 pages.
Earn Library Code: 0002-EPAF-95-010A
* Consent Agreement; Consent Order."
Docket No. FIFRA 95-H-18 (Aug 21, 1995) 9 pages.
Earn Library Code: 0002-EPAF-95-009
SOURCE:
Paraphrased/Summarized from "EPA MEMO REVIEWS
DURSBAN CASES" and "EPA CHARGES DOW FOR
NEGLIGENT REPORTING" by Cindy Duehring in:
MEDICAL & LEGAL BRIEFS: A Reference Compendium of
Chemical Injury (Environmental Access Research Network,
PO Box 426, Williston, ND 58802-0426), March/April
1996, page 4 and 9-10.
___________________
ADDITIONAL RELATED INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
1. BIRC (Bio-Integral Resource Center)
PO Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510)-524-2567
THE IPM PRACTITIONER and THE COMMON SENSE
PEST CONTROL QUARTERLY, publications of
BIRC, a non-profit institution providing education
and research on integrated pest control.
(LEAST-TOXIC pesticide management publications
catalogue available).
2. Chemical Injury Information Network (CIIN)
PO Box 301
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
(406)-547-2255
OUR TOXIC TIMES, a monthly publication of CIIN,
(Available free/donations).
3. National Center for Environmental Health Strategies
1100 Rural Avenue
Voorhees, NJ 08043
(609)-429-5358
e-mail: wjr...@prodigy.com
THE DELICATE BALANCE, a bi-monthly publication
(Free educational information packet available).
4. National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides
701 E Street, SE, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20003
(202)-543-5450
e-mail: NC...@IGC.APC.ORG
Fax: (202)-543-4791
(Superior collection of education and media resources)
5. Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides
PO Box 1393
Eugene, OR 97440
(503)-344-5044
e-mail: NC...@IGC.APC.ORG
(Excellent publications)