The Fragrance Fighters emerged through our common experience of what others could perceive as physical weakness. Through our life experience we have realized there are many others out there like us! Folks that are mildly to acutely sensitive to fragrances and odors of all sorts, be it perfume, mold, cigarette smoke, lotion, room deodorizers~~you name it, it disturbs us. Fragrance for us is not just an inconvenience or dislike of someone’s choice of product. Fragrance literally affects our quality of life; it inhibits our ability to do the things that others take for granted. Going to the workplace, the store, a public restroom or even our chosen house of worship are challenges that must be navigated with caution, if not entirely avoided. We cannot go over to a friend’s home for dinner unless we know that no one will being wearing fragrance, and that the perfumed candles & room deodorizers where used, will be removed. It affects our basic, taken-for-granted ability to function. It affects every breath we take. Because of the constant build-up of these seemingly small things, chronic illness ensues. Many of us suffer with Asthma, Fibromyalgia, COPD, Migraines, Allergies, Autism, Cancer, MCS and various other neurological diseases. Intolerable fragrance sources vary; many flowers and types of grass can be as noxious to our systems as common household cleaning products or the person sitting next to us at work who literally drenched themselves in perfume! We reserve the right to ticket, yes, ticket those who overindulge in fragrances (and you know who you are).
Disclaimer:We are not physicians, so we cannot give out medical advice. We are not scientists; but we will provide links to scientific information and references when available.We are acutely sensitive to odors & smells and can detect them when others cannot. While this ability can be viewed as a curse, we also view it as a blessing. We have stories~~and we’re ready and eager to share. This website and our product recommendations are not to take the place of medical or any other professional advice. We will recommend products (and their sources) that we have used with success. These will be products that we can tolerate without getting ill and some products that we love. We know that as individuals we have different tolerances and preferences, so check out each product before purchasing. To be blunt, smell it first! After all, “the nose knows.” If you have found a product that you would like to recommend, by all means, submit it. If we haven’t tried the product already we will gladly check it out.
Fragrance Fighters are:
Janet Willison
I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia in June 2002. I say finally because of my long history of health issues. Although I looked healthy, I was often fatigued, weak, dizzy, confused, suffered from digestive disorders & a lack of sleep, and experienced overall intense pain throughout my body. Although some may debate this~~I am a super hero! I received my combat training at Citicorp, after which I worked as an executive assistant for several architectural firms (including a firm known to some former employees as “The Evil Empire”.) During this time I perfected my superhero skills of a champion multi-tasker. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about. I married in my late thirties and gave birth to a vivacious baby girl in my forties. I did this the good old-fashioned way, without the use of fertility drugs or any in-vitro procedures. I’ve engaged in various entrepreneurial endeavors with a chronic illness and an energetic three year old (who thinks she’s 16). I now own my business Drama Princess Los Angeles and I am a Realtor. I have been known to spray paint a wrought-iron table in a cream dress and cream high heels without getting a spot on me~~and NO ONE can do that other than a super hero! Although some of my multitasking skills have slipped (no regrets there). I have the nose of a pack of bloodhounds, and I’m utilizing my super powers for good, not evil!
Nancie Bates
I have survived a life-long roller coaster ride of asthma & allergies great and small since I was a very young child. Remember a time before smoking was understood to be a health hazard? Both of my parents smoked like chimneys; my brother and I were conceived during this period of happy denial in American history. Thus began my life long struggle to breath unimpaired. To my parents’ credit they quit while my brother and I were fairly young; they realized that cigarette smoke was making us all sick. Sadly, though it did some good, the old house we grew up in was full of toxic mold, and to this day I am deathly allergic. If you throw in a childhood diet of tv dinners and meals almost daily at the most infamous fast food place on the planet, you will understand why I had early onset EVERYTHING. However, a girl has dreams; my earliest career aspirations were to write and illustrate my own books. Then, by age 10 I drew up my own business cards. I declared myself to be an author, fashion designer and part-time crime fighter. It’s taken several decades to achieve these goals, but I’m almost there. I still have a day job as an assistant, and do side work taking care of people’s animals and kids. (Times are tough, you know?) I also partner with Janet @ Drama Princess Los Angeles (this covers the fashion); I am a published (albeit unpaid) writer; and now I can use my super-powers of knowledge & understanding along with my ability to survive calamities for good~~fighting the ignorant use & abuse of fragrance!
