linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Long story short. My daughter's piano teacher lives in a house with a mold problem. I visited there last week for about 20 minutes, and got extremely sick. I was unaware of how bad the problem had gotten.
I asked her if she could give my daughter lessons in a nearby building, our church, without the mold, since my daughter has been tx for lyme and also has asthma.
Her lyme is currently in remission. I tried to explain to the woman how detrimental mold is to people fighting lyme disease. It was like talking to a brick wall.
There is an available room with a piano. Should be no problem, right?
It is about a 2 minute walk to the mold-free area.
My daughter has been a model student for seven years; we pay the bill on time etc. Her teacher is aware of our struggle with this disease, but refuses to walk 50 yards to help us.
I'm furious, and now will probably have to begin a search for a new teacher.
Just one more example of what we go through with this illness.
I posted here because those on lymenet understand these things. No one else seems to as we all know. It just gets so old.
So much for keeping the story short. Sorry. Thanks for listening to me rant!
I feel better already.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Lyme notwithstanding..the asthma alone is reason enough to keep your DD out of that house! Asthma is something most people understand..i dont understand the teachers reluctance to compromise. Id find a teacher more accomodating (i cant spell anymore). Id also make sure she knows the reason why.
Posts: 624 | From Oklahoma | Registered: Jun 2010
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Yes, you are right; it looks like we will have to find someone else.
We've been with this teacher for seven years. She has even said that our daughter is the most talented student she has had in 20 years. I don't say that to brag; it just makes the whole thing that much more perplexing.
I think she expects me to cave in and allow her to go back into that house. My heels are dug in.
I still can't get a deep breath a week after being in there.
Her music, and the piano have been a lifeline and such a bright spot for my daughter and all of us through this whole lyme mess. We'll find a way to help her continue.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
One would think the teacher would be concerned about her own health as well as the health of your daughter and her other students and either move the class to a cleaner environment, or do something about the mold problem where she lives and teaches. Maybe she needs literature to help her learn about the effects of mold on health. It could help her, too.
Posts: 212 | From San Francisco Bay Area, California | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
Linky good for you for digging your heels in. You cannot compromise when it comes to what you know what is best for your daughter.
Mold is not good for anyone esp. someone with Lyme and a history of asthma!!
As a mother I understand just how important this outlet is for your daughter but under the circumstances something must be changed. Having her exposed to mold is just unacceptable.
There surely are other teachers out there who are understanding and would be willing to accomodate your daughter. I know...they are few and far between.
I send my best wishes to you and your daughter.
-------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'
---Eleanor Roosevelt Posts: 748 | From somewhere | Registered: May 2010
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
I'm afraid she would never consider coming to our house, a 5 minute drive, if she isn't willing make a 2 minute walk.
I've talked 'til blue, in a respectful way, trying to explain about the mold. She knows my daughter's last asthma flair up was bad; we had a hard time getting it under control and finally had to resort to steroids, which as we all know the worst thing for us lymies.
She knows her house has problems, and has even admitted her own daughter gets sick every time she comes home for a visit.
I'm afraid she just feels that everyone must come to her, she does have that kind of attitude. We have always just accepted that as part of her personality.
As I said before, she expects me to cave in, which I will not do. So maybe when she realizes I mean what I say, she'll decide to cooperate. She has a very strong personality, and most people are intimidated by her. I'm not.
After dealing with this disease, I have learned how to fight for my kids and family and have no problem with saying no.
Most of the piano teachers in our area are booked up, so finding a good one might be hard. She knows them all too, which could cause the potential for problems.
It's just so unfair to my daughter. She's worked so hard and loves it so much; I hate to see her caught in the middle of all this.
We believe that God has given her a gift that should be shared with others. So hopefully He will open a door for us.
Thanks everyone for your support.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
So sorry you are having to put up with that. It really doesn't make any sense. It sounds like she would be willing to cut off her nose to spite her face!
I had to find my daughter a new ballet teacher because of that kind of attitude.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
If she is unwilling to fix the mold problem even though she knows it makes her own daughter sick, it sounds like she's not going to budge. Does she have a business license? Someone really ought to report the unsafe environment in which she is conducting her lessons.
I hope you find another teacher soon. It may even be good for your daughter to have input from a new artist.
Posts: 212 | From San Francisco Bay Area, California | Registered: Aug 2010
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
You're right about the business license. I'd never thought about that. I don't know if any of her students have had health issues or would even make the connection.
I noticed it right away because I'm so hypersensitive.
Sometimes these things happen for a reason. She told a friend of mine a while back she would eventually have to turn my daughter over to a teacher she knew who was a 'master instructor.' I'm not sure exactly what that means, except she would be able to take her to the next level.
I thought about calling the lady, but it would be quite awkward given the situation. The two of them are good friends. So I would just end up looking like a trouble-maker who is being unreasonable.
I don't want to screw this up, so for now I'm going to keep my mouth shut and scout around quietly for someone else.
Our school has a fine arts program, but I know nothing about the instructor. I'm not musical myself, so don't even know the right questions to ask.
Except maybe, 'do you have mold in your house...? How does that sound for an opener? Should make a great impression.
How do things get so stinkin' complicated with this disease?
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
I do not think the mold problem is limited to this disease. I am appalled that the teacher would show such blatant disregard for the health of others, especially of children. Just my opinion, but I would not want such a person around my children anyway. What kind of person, after being told others are having issues with a hazardous condition under their control, would continue on unfazed?
Too bad you can't think of a way to approach the master teacher. That sounds like a great next step for your daughter in her musical career.
Posts: 212 | From San Francisco Bay Area, California | Registered: Aug 2010
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
I would love for her to study under the master instructor. I've met her at the various festivals etc. we've participated in, and she's a real lady through and through.
Her credentials are amazing; I've been to her website. It would be a miracle if she even had an opening, much less under these circumstances.
I think she would be reluctant to take us on without the blessing of the current teacher. And I know that isn't about to happen.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Maybe printing this out and leaving it for her would help?
That way it isn't YOU saying something needs to be done.. it is the federal government... and it has instructions for fixing the problem.
linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Thanks for all the great information. I can't even sleep, I am so upset, so coming to lymenet and finding this article gave me such a lift.
I don't know what I would do without my lymenet friends. You always understand. I guess a person has to live this nightmare to understand it, but a little human compassion from those around us would be nice.
They look at us as if we are freaks or something.
I will definately keep the OSHA article and pick my time. It may help, may not. As you can probably tell, this is not a rational person.
I did not realize how irrational 'til now. You live in her world and according to her agenda, and that's all there is to it.
She is quite fond of my daughter, so that's my hole card. Don't know which will win out, the ego or the compassion (there's got to be some in there somewhere) for someone who is sick.
It's a 'sticky wicket' for sure.
Sometimes, I think God tests us to see how we will handle people like this. So I will pray, and try to handle it with any wisdom He can give.
Lord knows; I don't have the ability on my own.
Thanks again for your common sense approach and concern.
Will keep you posted.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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