Most people like to smell nice by using perfume or cologne, but if it’s putting someone’s life at risk, is it really worth it?
Katherine (Katie) Wilson certainly doesn’t think so.
Wilson, a Grade 12 student at Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS), has a severe chemical allergy to fragrances. She said she has had 15 anaphylactic reactions in the last 16 months, 13 of which have taken place at the Fergus school.
Anaphylactic reactions are serious in nature and strike fast. Typical symptoms can include a rash, throat swelling, low blood pressure and/or even organ damage. In extreme cases the reactions can be fatal.
“Students shouldn’t have to die for something to change,” said Wilson.
CWDHS officials say they are doing what they can to ban fragrances; they have made announcements, posted many signs, and visited each classroom discussing the possible dangers of wearing perfume or cologne.
“These perfumes are becoming a barrier to some students (who are) having reactions,” said Beckie Wilson, Katie’s mother.
“Not only with Katie’s reactions, but also those with asthma. They’re unable to be in the classrooms getting the education they’re wanting …
“Having this ban in place is important, not only for Katie, but for a huge percentage of students at (CWDHS).”
On April 4, Katie and others in support of the “no-scent rule” will be wearing masks to raise awareness about the issue and to protest against students who are breaking the rule.
“There is still misinformation in the school about what is relevant to Katie’s illness and what the rules in the school are,” said John Goff a fellow grade 12 student.
“We’re trying to raise awareness of the rules and Katie’s illness, and what the current information is. It’s vital that we do demonstrate to everyone in the school.”
Katie and Beckie told the Advertiser CWDHS principal Beth Burns has been very supportive of banning fragrances.
“The school has made many accommodations, and has made it easier for Katie to catch up when she misses a lot of school. They’re very supportive,” said Beckie.
The school has also accommodated Katie by allowing her to use the staff washroom.
Katie is also a Type 1 diabetic, which causes her blood sugars to spike dangerously high, and then rapidly drop for hours after each reaction. Also, due to other side effects from diabetes, Katie ends up sick for a couple days after each reaction, with a swollen liver and painful kidneys, which can cause her to miss a lot of school.
“My life is seriously at risk here,” Katie said. “I don’t know how many reactions, days or months I have left until I am dead because of how this affects my organs.”
Katie told the Advertiser that once students were made aware of the seriousness of her allergy, many of them stopped wearing scents to school.
But there are others, some students say, who deliberately break the no-scent rule – by wearing lots of a particular scent or even going into the washroom and spraying perfume or smashing bottles of it on the floor.
“There are a lot of rumours, and when we hear them we do our best to follow up,” said Burns. “We always welcome reports.”
Grade 11 student Zack Ternan said, “The most frustrating thing to see is … Katie had to go through 15 of these reactions just because the school isn’t enforcing (the no-scent rule) enough for everyone to see how serious it is.”
Katie takes antihistamines everyday to try and protect herself as much as she can. The Wilsons have ordered a special mask from Europe that Katie wears on a daily basis. The mask has filters that need to be replaced every two weeks.
Beckie has done everything she can at home to make it chemical-free, including making the family’s soap. She is lobbying for a scent-free policy across the school board, including buses.
Katie hopes the April 4 silent protest will be a positive step in that direction.
“We want as many people in the community as possible to be aware of the issue,” said Katie. “We want a change, and we need it now.”
