The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I thought I'd share a little experience about my recent move.
I moved into an apt in the city that ended up having toxic mold in it. I got very sick with all the symptoms and had to go to a motel, then moved to a different apt. I transported the mold spores with me they are resistant little buggers too, let me tell you.
So 2 moves in 30 days and sick while doing it. I developed a circulatory problem and am having lower leg pain which makes it difficult to walk and many other symptoms that are reported by others who have been exposed to toxic mold. I've been to all of my doctors and none of them believe me. The ER said the same thing, even though I limped in there. People are weird.
I noticed that asking for help sometimes is an opportunity for others to control me. This makes me fee worse when I'm sick. My primary Care doc saw I was becoming worried that I couldn't get care and actually said to me, "None of us believe you, you know." I experienced another one of my docs actually trying to challenge me and get me to react.
At first I reacted and get upset then ended up in a resentment. But when the last doc said no one believes me i said, "That's OK. I don't need anyone to validate me." and I changed hospitals. I can't do any worse, right?
My father pays my rent and this is something I've been trying to end. I came to the city to get work and take over my own rent but haven't been able to settle in. I have had to throw out most of my furniture and many of my belongings and clothes and things that mean a lot to me. The bills due to this mold issue have been staggering. My father threatened me not to do anything about it, that he will pay for it, but not only is that not fair to him, the landlord is responsible. I know it's just my father's fear so over the lat month I have felt very helpless. What if I have health consequences and there's no documentation, never mind everything I lost?
I was told or shown from a young age that others are so much more important than me that I should not protect myself.
Today I began to take care of myself like the amazing men and women in 12-step fellowship have taught me. I know today when I should protect myself and when I really don't have to. I made some calls today that any self-respecting adult would make. I will have an attorney send a letter to the LL along with my receipts and try to get some compensation between private parties. I can begin there.
I'm grateful I don't have to stand up for myself when someone hurts my pride or ego. That I can let go, that I need to tolerate to grow. And I'm grateful I can at least try my best to stand up for myself in the right way when I need to.
In order to get compensation from the LL, my father (whose name is also on the lease) will probably refuse to sign off on anything. I don't know he will do that, but I can pretty much expect that. This is really too bad. But God is showing me the same thing over and over, imagine it?? I need to be on my own. Funny how I am being shown this!
Great post and share on how it works...mine worked with alcoholism and now I can add problems caused by mold spores...actually I think that is also files in problems the program can handle under "all my affairs". Soooo sorry with you that this has happened...sucks!! Call the housing department and ask them for an inspection...they do look into things like this..((((hugs))))
