The naked truth about MCS goes global

Posted on Jul 08, 2009 by Susie Collins in Blog, Disability Rights, MCS, Media/Videos, Susie Collins

Photos and essay on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is now translated into five languages, posted on MCS blogs throughout Europe and America.

evaOn June 17, I blogged about Spanish blogger Eva Caballé, who posed nude for two stunning photographs to denounce the situation for people in her country with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. The photos were published in an online magazine along with an essay written by Eva describing the marginalization of people with MCS in Spain: no full recognition, no proper health care, no safety net.

By June 29, Eva had translated her essay into English, which I also posted on The Canary Report.

A few days later, German blogger Silvia K. Müller at Chemical Sensitivity Network published the English translation on her blog with an eloquent introduction explaining that even though MCS is recognized as a physical disease in Germany, people with MCS are still marginalized. “Like in other countries,” Silvia writes, “sickness from chemicals and modern living is not truly recognized but rather swept under the carpet even though we exist and suffer every day.” Silvia’s introduction was an eye opener. I thought for sure people with MCS in Germany had it better since their government just fully recognized MCS as a physical disease. It’s heartbreaking to learn they still struggle for the right to clean air and proper health care.

Silvia then translated the essay into German and published it on her German CSN Blog.

Eva recently announced that her essay is now also translated into Italian and French, and published along with the photos on MCS-related blogs in both those countries as well!

Please help spread the word about the plight of all people with MCS by sharing these links with family and friends around the world! What other language can you translate the essay into?

Link to PDF of English translation and photos.

Link to magazine Delirio Nº 3. Desnudo, which originally published the essay and photos.

Link to download the entire issue of Delirio Nº 3. Desnudo

Link to English translation.

Link Eva’s blog NO FUN.

Photo published with author’s permission. Thanks, Eva!

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17 Responses to “The naked truth about MCS goes global”

  1. Eva Caballé

    09. Jul, 2009

    Thank you so much Susie! I don’t know what else I can say, except that all this is thanks to you, because you were the first person out of Spain interested in my essay, and you were the reason because we decided to translate into English.

    I also want to thank to Silvia for helping us to spread “The Naked Truth about MCS” all around Europe.

    I’m sure that we will continue working together because, as you told me, together we are stronger!.

    Big hugs!

    Reply to this comment

  2. Jasmine

    09. Jul, 2009

    This is so fantastic! Hugs to Eva and Susie :)

    Reply to this comment

  3. Susie Collins

    10. Jul, 2009

    Thanks for all your support, Jasmine! xoxo

    Reply to this comment

  4. Leslie

    14. Jul, 2009

    Awesome! I love when word spreads. Our naked truth calender is going to rock.

    Reply to this comment

  5. Susie Collins

    14. Jul, 2009

    I’m still researching the calendar idea and trying to figure out the best way to organize and produce it. I should have an announcement this week. xoxo

    Reply to this comment

  6. ellen

    17. Jul, 2009

    I was quite disgusted when I came across this post containing nudity! Your site has much good information but we should not have to be subjected to such photos while learning good information. My 9 year old son was standing right beside me when this photo showed up while I was looking at your site for information on carpet toxicity. PLEASE do not subject any of us – especially innocent little boys -to such objectionable materials. I was going to send this link to a friend but will not now as I know she too would be offended.

    Reply to this comment

  7. Susie Collins

    17. Jul, 2009

    Aloha Ellen,

    Thank you for expressing your thoughts on this. I’m sorry you feel that way. I think Eva’s photos are tasteful and extremely expressive of our plight with MCS. I embrace all points of view on The Canary Report and am proud that I have helped this particular essay be translated into five languages, now released on blogs throughout Europe and United States.

    There are in fact women’s groups throughout the world who have posed nude to promote awareness and raise money for various illnesses, and I am currently doing the research to publish an MCS calendar in the same genre. The calendars of these groups are done tastefully, artfully, with whimsy and a strong sense of education. The most notable in the genre is the one launched by two older women in England who were spurred into action when one’s husband died of leukaemia. To raise money for the hospital where he was treated, the women, in their 50s, persuaded their friends to pose nude for a charity calendar. Here’s the link to the trailer of the movie that was based on their story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cr2dR6-wZ4

    Again, I am so sorry you are offended. But what is truly offending to me is the fact that so many of us have been seriously damaged by toxic chemical injury, and I for one am open to promoting awareness about our plight in every way possible.

    Aloha,
    Susie

    Reply to this comment

  8. Susie Collins

    17. Jul, 2009

    Ellen, Here’s another great clip from Calendar Girls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtFOtjRcIE0 . I do hope these clips help you understand better the spirit of the photos. This is art for a cause, not pictures of naked women. These women are raising awareness about leukemia, Eva for MCS.

    Reply to this comment

  9. jacki

    17. Jul, 2009

    Susie,
    sorry but I think the human body is wonderful and being naked is NATURAL..
    I feel this person is being a bit over protected of her son..
    He should be taught to love the human body, and think of it a beautiful..
    No that it is something to be ashamed of or is BAD or NASTY..
    I think if she has a problem with it then that is HER problem..

    the pictures are done very very tastefully…

    grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr this is why there is so many messed up kids and Adults in this world..no one is even comfortable in their OWN SKIN..

    oh well I had to vent …comments like that cause my skin to crawl…

    I say naked is beautiful… jj

    Reply to this comment

  10. Dina

    17. Jul, 2009

    Brava, Susie, Brava! As we must ALL stand up for what we believe in, we must also never back down!
    Much respect to ALL involved!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Karen

    17. Jul, 2009

    Susie,
    Your response here is right on. Add me to the growing chorus of support.

    Reply to this comment

  12. Susie Collins

    17. Jul, 2009

    Aloha Jacki, Dina and Karen, thanks much for taking time to share your thoughts on this, I appreciate your perspectives very much!

    Reply to this comment

  13. Mayam

    17. Jul, 2009

    Ellen, I’m sorry but you exaggerated.
    Does your kid watch tv? I guess he does… These pictures are more innocent than some tv programs…

    All my support to Susie and Eva.

    Reply to this comment

  14. linda

    17. Jul, 2009

    Ellen, how would you feel if you or your son had such severe reactions to the chemicals in clothing that you or he couldn’t find any that are safe to wear?

    Reply to this comment

  15. Susie Collins

    17. Jul, 2009

    As usual Linda, you get to the core of it. There is untold tragedy symbolized in those photos: those who suffer through life with severe MCS are left naked and defenseless. That, of course, is the point of the photos, a point not lost to those who fully understand the illness.

    Reply to this comment

  16. Eva Caballé

    17. Jul, 2009

    Ellen, I don’t really understand why your son could be affected for my photos, are they really nudity? Because I don’t explicitly show my body. I’m sure that your son is more surprised by the mask I wear, because you can see true nudity on TV, magazines, websites, etc. I think that a woman naked with a mask who has a disease (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) that’s fighting to be recognized is completely different. Have you at least read the text that goes with these photos??

    If you don’t want show to your son what is real live he will have a lot of problems when he gets old. Our body is all we have and in our case we are naked and unprotected due to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I hope you’ll never have to live it.

    If I could have the opportunity to denounce MCS situation again using my body, I’ll undoubtedly do it.

    Thanks Susie, Jacki, Dina, Karen, Mayam and Linda for you support!!

    Reply to this comment

  17. Susie Collins

    17. Jul, 2009

    Mayam, that’s a good point! Thanks for all your support.

    Eva, I just have one thing to say to you: XOXO

    Reply to this comment

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