How does a Fortune 500 executive leave a lucrative, high-profile position and become a toxic mold activist?
By experiencing the devastation of an exposure to toxic mold.
The story of Cheryl Wisecup is a familiar one. Cheryl, her husband, and four children were living a happy, normal life in Iowa. In 2002, the Wisecups decided to hire a remodeling company to remodel their bathroom. The remodeling company made mistakes and punctured two holes in a pipe inside the wall, but the Wisecups didn't know about it until much later, after they became very ill.
A few weeks after the remodeling work was completed, the Wisecups noticed an ominous smell throughout their house. They called the gas company, suspecting a gas leak. The gas company found nothing wrong and told the Wisecups there must be a dead animal inside the walls. The company assured them that once the animal decomposed the smell would go away. Cheryl and her husband also called a pest control company. The company found no dead animals but also suggested the source was located behind a wall.
The Wisecups continued to look for the source of the smell.
Several more weeks went by, and they finally discovered the cause. Mold and water damage were found under the bathroom where the remodeling work had been done. They called the remodeling company and their homeowner's insurance company.
That day was the beginning of a 7-year nightmare and a long legal battle. The Wisecups say they learned firsthand about the unethical and illegal activities that occur in toxic mold cases.
The Wisecups continue to deal with health problems caused by their exposure. Due to these health issues, Cheryl had to leave her position as a business executive. She is now devoting her time to promoting the truth about toxic mold and helping others who have been affected.
Cheryl has created a website called Truth About Mold and has been communicating with elected officials, families, doctors, and scientists around the world. The website has a great deal of helpful information including numerous medical studies, news articles, a list of resources and books, information about mold legislation, copies of communications with the World Health Organization and the EPA, and an entire page devoted to Mold Stories from families around the country. The page is sobering, and if anyone doubts the dangers, take a look at this compilation of stories. If you would like to have your mold story included, contact Cheryl through the Contact form on the website.
We are on the verge of some major changes in this country regarding the issue of toxic mold. People like Cheryl are helping to make that happen.
1 comments:
Wow. I don't wish this on anyone but I am thankful for those who have become advocates of such a dangerous toxin. We have been casually house hunting and whenever an exceptional house comes into our price range we wonder "well, what's wrong with it?"... Our agent told us about one house we inquired about: The people had to move out of state. They had an agreement with somebody that this person would check on their house. This person was not doing a very good job because a pipe burst and apparenly water was coming out of one of the windows. That's a lot of water! Nautrally, I don't believe homeowners would cover it, and the people couldn't afford to repair it, so the house went back to the bank. Now its for sale and needs a complete gut job on the main floor. I just think about how even after a gut job that the next purchaser does, how likely is mold going to develop in that home? And will homeowner's insurance cover that? And back to the bank it will go for the second time...
The forclosure market in the northern US has an issue that once utilities have been shut off on the house, the remaining water in the pipes can and will freeze when it drops below freezing for several days. That damages the homes more, making them much less desireable. This happens a LOT in MN.
Thank you for everything you do and I pray that this(mold awareness) is something positive that has come out of your experiences. I hope you all feel better soon!
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