A Mother’s Nightmare: Living in a Mold-Infested Apartment
A mother and her two-year-old daughter suffered a terrible allergic reaction after living in a damp apartment where mushrooms grew on the furniture. The apartment, located in Stourport-On-Severn, Worcs, was plagued by mold, which spread on the walls and even grew on shoes and the sofa.
The Discovery of the Mold
The mother, Joanna Hayes, 42, noticed the mold shortly after moving into the apartment in June. At first, she tried to treat it herself, but the problem only worsened as the weather got colder. The mold became more apparent, and the wallpaper even began to fall off. Hayes described the living room as having a large amount of mold, even under the bed, and said it was "everywhere."
Health Problems Escalate
Hayes and her daughter started to suffer from endless chest infections and ENT problems, and her two-year-old daughter even needed an inhaler. The turning point came when Hayes cooked dinner and suddenly became short of breath. She thought it might be stress, but then she started pounding and became dizzy. Her face began to swell, and she went into anaphylactic shock. Hayes was taken to the hospital, where paramedics confirmed that she had entered anaphylactic shock due to the mold.
The Unacceptable Conditions
The paramedics described the conditions in the apartment as "unacceptable." Hayes was advised by doctors to leave the property due to the health risks. She has carried out allergy tests, which showed that the mold spores were having physical effects on her health. Hayes is now too afraid to enter the property and has been forced to sleep in her car with her daughter.
The Housing Association’s Response
The housing association, Community Housing, has apologized for the conditions in Hayes’ apartment and said they will continue to support her to feel "safe and good" in her home. A spokesman stated that they have worked closely with Hayes to fix the problem and have planned further work to treat the affected areas. However, Hayes feels that she and her daughter have been "left behind" by the housing association and are seeking alternative accommodations until the issue can be resolved.
A Plea for Help
Hayes is calling for the housing association to eliminate the mold or find her a new home. She is afraid for her life and cannot risk staying on the property, leaving her two-year-old daughter behind. The situation has taken a toll on Hayes’ daughter, who has been a "little soldier" throughout the ordeal. Hayes is unsure of where to turn and feels that she and her daughter have been neglected by the housing association.
