Before getting into the more journalistic styling of this blog, I wanted to let everyone know exactly what hypersensitivity is, and why it’s an important topic to me.
Electrohypersensitivity is best described as how sensitive a person is to the electromagnetic frequencies generated by various light bulbs and electrical devices. There isn’t a lot of research about it here, in the U.S., but it’s known as a disability in Canada, which tells me we need to start paying attention to the issues that derive from having this disorder. The problems someone suffering from severe electrohypersensitivity range from headaches and dizziness to high blood pressure and shortness of breath, and everything in between. These symptoms aren’t manifested in one’s mind as a way to get out of work, or get on disability (as long as you live in Canada), but are very real and can drastically change your life, and leave you with serious side affects.
I suppose by now you are asking yourself what this has to do with me; well, I will tell you…I suffer from electrohypersensitivity, and have for over a year now. Actually, it all started back in 2007, when I first started working for a small drugstore, where I worked in the pharmacy. I had only been there about a month when I started having headaches regularly and was constantly dizzy. I wasn’t sure what to make of these issues, so I continued on with my work; it wasn’t until my eyesight started deteriorating that I felt something wasn’t right, and I had to get out of there. I felt that everything that was happening due to the lighting in the building, which was very bright, fluorescent bulbs. A bit of a side note…they are going to stop making incandescent light bulbs (the “normal” ones most people have in their homes) by 2014. As my boyfriend stated, “It seems like the government is turning a blind eye to a problem that is going to become severe with the elimination of incandescent bulbs,” (Schneider, 2011).
After experiencing these symptoms for about two months, I asked to be moved out of the pharmacy, since I felt that it was the main reason for my problems; the manager gave me a job as a supervisor. Being out of the pharmacy made the headaches less, but it didn’t stop the constant dizziness. I pretty much just got used to it. While this sounds like I suffered a bit from electrohypersensitivity, it was only the beginning; little did I know it was going to get a lot worse.
Schneider, M. (October, 2011).
I wanted to send you a quick note. I’m very interested in this topic, for I may have this sensitivity as well. What have you discovered?
Thanks so much!
-loree
I am interested in learning more about this topic! I like your overview of electrohypersensitivity and applaud your effort to inform us. In Lisa Barone’s article, How To Write A Blog Post, she says to identify the “hook” for a blog. I think you did that with your title, Unrecognized Disability. It makes me want to find out more. In terms of the assignment requirements I do not see a reference to any course texts, but the article you referenced and linked to was relevant to your topic and easy to read. Sometimes I find peer-reviewed sources difficult to get through, but the one you chose was great. In another one of our course readings, Stories that Stereotype, it talks about asking questions about what stereotypes are at work in a particular story. You did well addressing that aspect. I liked that you added some references to stereotypes when you wrote about people having these issues could be thought of as someone who just wants, as you wrote, “to get out of work or get on disability”. There weren’t any references to how any of your sources illustrated our course concepts, so that would be something to keep in mind as far as meeting assignment requirements is concerned. However, I like your topic, your post, and look forward to reading more blog posts.
I’m sure you’ve got the text links, but here they are anyway: http://www.coveringcommunities.org/PDFs/storiesthatstereotypefinalforposting.pdf
http://outspokenmedia.com/blogging/how-to-write-a-blog-post/