Canary in the Coalmine is an idiomatic expression that refers to the literal use of caged canaries that were used in coal mines in the 19th and 20th centuries. Miners would take canaries into the mines because the tiny birds were sensitive to toxic gases and fumes. When the canary became ill or died, miners knew that they must quickly leave the coal mine. The canary in the coal mine acted as a warning sign of pending harm. Many people with illnesses that are caused by the environment identify with the canary. I am a queer woman living with chemical injury and at this point in my journey I am also a social work (MSW) student and therefore find myself in the classroom.
I have faced a multitude of barriers as a student in my first semester of school as my accommodation requirements are not well understood. I have debilitating chemical sensitivities and become very ill when exposed to everyday chemicals commonly found in the environment, such as perfumes, after shave, deodorants, lotions, markers, glues, inks, laundry soap and softeners, air fresheners, oils, cleaning supplies as well as gas exhaust, laundry exhaust, lighter fluid, deet, fumes, paint, plastics, adhesives, synthetic furniture, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides used in agriculture, etc. This chronic condition has many names - chemical injury, multiple chemical sensitivity, environmental illness, toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT) and it is sometimes described as a 21st century disease.
I have been managing this condition since May of 2013, so it is still a very new experience for me. I have spent the last nine months researching this condition, while also experiencing its debilitating symptoms, navigating a health system that does not understand the condition, advocating for policy changes, spreading precautionary awareness and education, while struggling to access public space.
I hope to use this space to begin compiling resources related to accessibility issues and chemical sensitivity. People ask a lot of questions and I have to explain what is happening to me repeatedly because it is very misunderstood and so I want to create a space where I can easily direct people to content that fits my understanding of my experience of chemical injury. I will also share websites, resources and materials that I have found helpful. I am currently student, however, it is not my intention for this space to be academic.
Thanks for reading,
Canary in the Classroom