A church was trying to start a disability ministry and someone suggested asking members to avoid using fragrances. One woman commented, "I don't see why we should all be inconvenienced for the benefit of a few people."
If a lot of people were in a hurry to get through an aisle in a busy store but the way was blocked by a woman with a cane slowly hobbling along would it be okay to knock her out of the way because she was inconveniencing everyone else?
Of course not!
Just because a disability is invisible doesn't mean it's not real.
Allergic people might just get sinus headaches from being around perfumes and if that woman were knocked down she might just get a few bruises. Yes, she could get broken bones from being pushed, but asthmatics exposed to fragrances might need to be hospitalized and put on oxygen and people can die from anaphylactic reactions. Allergic reactions can be serious and many people who have them must avoid places where they might be exposed to things that cause them.
Avoiding fragrances in cosmetics, laundry detergents, and personal care products and not using them in public places can make a positive difference in the lives of many people.
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