Mills can be a big source of pollution. My fist major porphyria reaction at age 11, in the summer, was after picking berries near a pulp mill in Oregon. I lost part of my vision and could not control my hands well the rest of the summer, and could not complete an art project because I could not use the pencils right. And was very tired. My father was disappointed that I could not finish the project. No one realized I was actually sick, although it was low level sick, nothing extreme. I recovered from this and didn't have a major attack until I went to college and once again was surrounded by pollution...i.e. formaldehyde in the Bio lab, herbicides behind the dorm, mold in the dorm and mold retardant on the carpets. Erika, I have porphyria too so I am probably somewhat more sensitive to these things than others, but they can affect anyone. I am still sad that I was such a disappointment to my parents, as I'd been good at "everything", including dancing and running, until I got so sick at 17. I know I'm not supposed to feel that way but we cannot control all our feelings.

It's amazing how a person can be above average like, say, Annette Funicello, and then suddenly they are undermined and they are no longer what they were. This is what neuro diseases do to people.