[Imc-radio] Story about life wrecked by working with chemical pollutants

[Danielle Chynoweth]

IMCers, I got this e-mail today from a local guy with a story about loss
of job and health due to exposure to pollutants.  Please contact him
directly if you want to investigate further. - Danielle

 ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2005 13:22:59 -0600
From: Gary Hardwick <ghardwick at americandowell.com>
To: dlchynoweth at city.urbana.il.us
Subject: Help please

My story in a nutshell is as follows.......
>I was an industrial sign painter for several years for a local sign
company.
>My symptoms started after 4 years of Polyurethane paint, V.O.C., &
>solvent exposure from my job.
>MEK, zylene, tolulene, ether,benzene, alcohol, you name it I worked with
all
the big
>nasties and had no training, no protection,
 & no Idea.
>I started having Constant Fatique, Passing out at stop lights, or
just
>blacking out
>alot. It took nearly 2.75 years to get a straight diagnosis.
>
>it's been over a full year since I was seen in Chicago at the UIUC.
> >I was last told to schedule an appointment for some very expensive
> >test( that I could not afford ) and told I have to pay for them
>upfront
> >because of a lack of healthcare insurance. I had to cancel the
>appointment
> >and have since been w/out treatment for my affliction ( solvent
> >poisoning~long term exposure ) I'm falling appart here and I dont
know what
>to do.
> >
> >It seems all the doctors down here in Champaign, Il. refuse to
> >acknowledge even the slightest possiblility that my symptoms are
>related to
>my
> >work...and V.O.C.'s.....It feels so hopeless , all I want is to be
>seen
> >by a specialist~ who deals with this kind of thing on a regular
basis
>,
> >knows what to look for, and the proper course of treatment for my
symptoms if there is one.
> >
> >I'm still suffering from all of the same symptoms , some of them
have
>gotten worse..
> >
> >the resting tremors, fatique, ringing in my ears, Sleep problems,
>upper
>respiratory
> >problems( especially) and headaches are a fact of my daily life
now.
>Is
> >there anything I can do here??? I'm desperate. I did finally change
>jobs
> >and have health insurance , but they won't cover my pre-existing
> >condition.
Ive contacted OSHA, The EPA, and A lawyer.
No one Cares!!!! what is wrong here?
These people are still in bussiness and throwing their waste into a dumpster
thats been going to the same landfill year after year, with offices
documents as well.
I'm talking about neon units containing mercury,
Flourescent bulbs, paint cans that had lead based paint in them as well as
many other chemicals,
used Transformers and ballast too.
I know for a fact that all of the above require special handling when it
comes to disposal.
And that in their new location their paint booth exasht into a local
childrens park and baseball field as well as residences next to the
bussiness.
I need help to make sure that what has happened to me happens to no one else
ever again.
Any Information or contacts would be helpful
I'm so tired of suffering in silence.
I was told it was stress in 2001, I have lots of documentation of my
case , OSHA inspection reports with fines, exam records, MSDS sheets,
witnesses
to my working conditions, photos of my work area, all pointing to the cause-
solvents!
Yet my former employers insurance company still denies my claim, I
can't get treatment or seen by the doc's I need to see.
I was told it was all in my head for a long time,
I've nearly commited suicide over all this........
I knew I needed help w/ that, so I see a counselor.
But now I hold out hoping for some kind of justice.
I do know I will never have the quality of life I once had.
I can't bike or play with my son like we used to.
I've been told I'm narcoleptic( solvent induced Narcosis) now and have been
on adderall for
about 1.5 years this started about 3.5 years ago.
I don't have the same symptoms as most people w/ narcolepsy.
Mine are way different! I feel I'm being given a bandaid to but on an
amputated limb.
My lawyer doubts I'll get any compensation for my bills....since there were
toxicology test performed immediately when I became Ill.
I did everything that I was told to do from day one yet I still get
shafted, what is wrong w/ these people???
How much evidence do I need to prove this.
My Phone # is 217-377-4336
I live in Champaign , Illinois
I would love any advice or support
PLEASE HELP!      sincerly, Gary Hardwick