Governor Jodi Rell has designated May as MCS Awareness Month in Connecticut at the request of the Ecological Health Organization (ECHO). This is the 13th year in a row that we have had a Governors' proclamation. As you may know, Connecticut was the first state to recognize MCS Awareness Week in the country. Gaining this recognition is the result of the diligent work of President of ECHO, Carolyn Wysocki. Well done, Carolyn.
Carolyn said, "We applaud and thank Governor Rell for recognizing the importance of making the citizens of our state more aware of MCS, the need for more research into this illness and especilly the need for preventing this illness in the future." She added, " We hope that other MCS organizations around the country and the world will follow ECHO's lead and pursue proclamations from their governors in recognition of MCS Awareness Week."
Thank you Governor and thank you Carolyn!!! Governor's Proclamation For MCS Awareness Montth
To:MCS Colleagues:
Our hope is that other organizations/support groups will join us in an effort to have more state governors issue an MCS Proclamation. To facilitate this process and in response to several inquiries last year about how to request a governors' proclamation, ECHO has developed the following guidelines. There are 3 key attributes to remember: Respect -Patience and Perseverance.
GUIDELINES:
- Call the Governors office to introduce yourself and your organization. Ask what the procedure is for the Governor to issue a proclamation. Share any special activities you may be scheduling for that week and answer any questions they may have about MCS. Offer to submit a sample proclamation for their review. Some Governors have their Picture taken with representative of the organization at the signing of the proclamation. That's a bonus.
- Send a letter confirming the telephone call and include information about your organization, MCS brochure,newsletter, and a sample proclamation. (You can use Connecticut's Proclamation at the end of this letter as a sample. It is also on ECHO"'s web site.) Include the name of a contact person and phone number for any further questions.
- April, follow-up with a phone call regarding the status of the proclamation.
-PR for local newspapers -Consider taking a picture of people with MCS, Leaders/Officers with the proclamation and an article on MCS. Other articles on any special activities can also be included. i.e. Annual meeting, Guest Speaker, Healthy Hospital booklet distributed to local hospitals,,ADA Brochures distributed to State agencies,Health Fair, MCS Workshop, etc.
-Follow-up with a thank you to the governor for the proclamation.
ECHO will keep a listing of those states that have a proclamation on our web site so please let us know of you success. Last year we had 7 states and a couple of towns. Lets try to have at least 2 states participate in MCS Awareness Week 2000.
Don't give up if you haven't been successful in the past or this year. Try! Try! Again and Good Luck!
Carolyn Wysocki
President
ECHO
Ecological Health Organization,Inc.
PO Box 8232
Berlin,, Connecticut 06037
ECHOMCSCT@aol.com
SAMPLE PROCLAMATION
Millennium Proclamation (Sample)
WHEREAS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a disorder in which people develop a variety of symptoms as a result of a single massive exposure or repeated low levels exposures to toxic chemicals and other irritants in the environment; and
WHEREAS, the symptoms of MCS are not limited to chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pains, rashes, asthma, short term memory loss, headaches and other respiratory and neurological problems; and
WHEREAS, MCS is a chronic condition that usually involves the central nervous system and other organ systems; and
WHEREAS, there is no know cure for MCS
WHEREAS. MCS can cause major personal financial, employment, housing, and social consequences for people who have this disability; and
WHEREAS, MCS is recognized by ADA, Social Security Administration, U.S. HUD and other state and national government agencies and commissions which have supported the health and welfare of the chemically injured; and
WHEREAS, reasonable accommodations can enable people with MCS to enjoy access to work, public facilities, and other settings where they can continue to contribute their skills, ideas, creativity, abilities and knowledge; and
WHEREAS, people with MCS need the support and understanding of family, friends, co-workers and society as they struggle with their illness and adapt to new life styles; and
WHEREAS, MCS is a preventable disorder; and
THEREFORE, in support of increased understanding and education that will aid in the prevention of MCS and research into the causes and treatment of MCS , I ,John G. Rowland, Governor of State of Connecticut, do hereby officially designate May 5 - May 11, 2002 as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Week in the State of Connecticut.
WE SALUTE
THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT HAVE
A
MCS AWARENESS PROCLAMATION.
Since 1998, there has been 16 states that have had an MCS Awareness Proclamation. They include: Connecticut-Florida-Hawaii-Illinois-Kansas-Louisiana-Massachusetts-Michigan-Mississippi-Missouri-New Hampshire-New Mexico-Minnesota-North Carolina-Ohio-Washington
