Ms. Douglas, thank you for acknowledging that fragrance sensitivities is a condition that is protected by the ADA. It is also a disability is recognized by the CDC and is life threatening for some of us. I find your article irresponsible by contributing to the ignorance and intolerance that those of us with MCS have to live with daily. Comparing a medical condition that varies from mild to deadly to wearing pajamas in public is insulting and prejudicial. Would you compare being blind to being self conscious about wearing glasses? Having a bad hair cut to losing your hair due to chemotherapy? Do you also think that school districts that have students who suffer from anaphylactic reactions from being in the same room as peanuts should allow other students to have PB&J for lunch so as to not infringe on the their rights? For many people living with MCS, extreme allergies, and asthma not allowing fragrances in the workplace is the only way that they are able to function and contribute their varied skill sets in the workforce. The alternative is that these people end up depending on disability. I am fortunate that my employers are reasonable and educated. They accommodated me willingly so that I have a safe place where I can make a living, contribute to society, and not be a shut in. Not everyone with MCS is as lucky as I am. I wish that there were more places that had scent free policies. I cannot safely go to almost anywhere without my mask. It would be nice if the state employees that are there to help me did not potentially and unwittingly make me extremely ill in the process.
I find your article irresponsible by contributing to the ignorance and intolerance that those of us with MCS have to live with daily. Comparing a medical condition that varies from mild to deadly to wearing pajamas in public is insulting and prejudicial. Would you compare being blind to being self conscious about wearing glasses? Having a bad hair cut to losing your hair due to chemotherapy?
Do you also think that school districts that have students who suffer from anaphylactic reactions from being in the same room as peanuts should allow other students to have PB&J for lunch so as to not infringe on the their rights?
For many people living with MCS, extreme allergies, and asthma not allowing fragrances in the workplace is the only way that they are able to function and contribute their varied skill sets in the workforce. The alternative is that these people end up depending on disability.
I am fortunate that my employers are reasonable and educated. They accommodated me willingly so that I have a safe place where I can make a living, contribute to society, and not be a shut in. Not everyone with MCS is as lucky as I am.
I wish that there were more places that had scent free policies. I cannot safely go to almost anywhere without my mask. It would be nice if the state employees that are there to help me did not potentially and unwittingly make me extremely ill in the process.