Pa. woman ordered out of chemical-free 'bubble'

[John81]

Pa. woman ordered out of chemical-free 'bubble'

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM, Associated Press Writer Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press Writer ? 43 mins ago AP ? ALLENTOWN, Pa. ? Ten hours a day, every day, Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes confines herself to a galvanized-steel-and-porcelain shed outside her house. Inside are a toilet, a metal cabinet, a box spring with the metal coils exposed, and a pile of organic cotton blankets. Aluminum foil covers the window. The place is as austere as a prison cell ? but it's also her sanctuary from an outside world that she says makes her violently ill. She and her husband call the structure "the bubble."

This bubble, though, may be about to burst: A judge has ordered it taken down by the end of the month.

Some of the couple's neighbors in suburban South Whitehall Township complained that the 160-square-foot building is unstable and so unsightly it could drag down their property values. The couple also hooked up electrical, water and sewer service without securing permits.

"For the wife's medical problems, there is sympathy. For the owner's defiance of the township's lawful directives, there is no excuse," Judge Carol McGinley ruled earlier this month.

Feudale-Bowes, 52, says she was diagnosed several years ago with "environmental illness," described as extreme sensitivity to everyday substances.

Some doctors question whether environmental illness is a genuine physical disorder and suggest it is psychological. Feudale-Bowles says she was diagnosed by Dr. William Rea of Texas, who has been accused by the Texas Medical Board of promoting "pseudoscience." He vigorously disputes the charge and continues to see patients.

Feudale-Bowes says fabric softener, nail polish, perfume, new sneakers, upholstery and many other items can make her body go haywire. She says she has suffered from a range of chronic ailments, including migraines, joint pain, bladder inflammation, seizures and temporary paralysis. Her insides, she says, have sometimes felt like "fire with ground glass in it."

A couple of years ago, the couple settled in South Whitehall, moving into a Lustron house, a 1940s-era prefabricated home made of porcelain-enameled steel that serves as their main residence. They paid an additional $10,500 for the bubble.

The zoning board has recommended the couple explore other options, such as an addition to their house.

"We're just asking them to comply with the same safety codes that every other person in the community has to comply with," said Township Manager Jerry Gasda.

The couple are threatening to sue the township under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

"My wife's not a lawn mower, and I didn't put up an illegal shed just to mess with the township," said Craig Bowes, 52, who owns a company that cleans supermarket floors.

Some neighbors question whether her ailment is genuine. But they and others say the main issue is the couple's disregard of the zoning rules.

Thomas Kelly, 53, who lives across the street, said that while he feels sorry for Feudale-Bowes, her husband "just did whatever he pleased."

"We don't live like that," he said. "We live in a society governed by laws."

But Feudale-Bowes said: "If I don't live like this, my pain level is so severe that I can't function, I can't live, I can't survive. It's excruciating."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_ ... ed_allergy

[Anon]

I saw that...sounds like a weirdo. On the other hand...I still believe that if its your property, its your property. I hate building and zoning laws.

[deafnva77]

People used to build bomb shelters. It's like the gov't telling them they couldn't build bomb shelters.

[Samer]

LOL this is like 5 minutes from our house. Crazy! However, it's their home and property. They have the right to do whatever they want on their property as long as it doesn't infringe on the RIGHTS of others (notice I said rights, not privileges or preferences).

sigh...and this is Rachel, not Samer. ARRR

[JerryNumbers]

The problem in Americas seems that most people are more concerned about money, in this case property value, than they are for the welfare of a neighbor.

To keep their property value up, they would be happy to make this woman suffer, sad, but that is modern America for you.

Makes me glad I live out in the country on 51 acres of land and Linda and I can do as we please.

[John81]

I saw that...sounds like a weirdo. On the other hand...I still believe that if its your property' date=' its your property. I hate building and zoning laws.[/quote']

:amen:

[IM4given]

i am thinking about buildin my own bomb -proof "bubble" and if anyone tries to kick me out of it they are going to have to figure out how to pick the locks and disarm the booby traps first! Not even Indianna Jones will be able to get through my defenses! :frog

[John81]

We don't ever really own our property; we are simply allowed to pretend we do so we will pay our rent and be quiet!

If you don't pay your property taxes (rent!) you quickly find out they own they land because they take it from you and sell it to get their taxes (rent!).

In many areas, especially cities, you can't add on to your house without buying permission (requesting a permit and then paying for it if they grant your request. In some places, you can't even do interior work without buying permission!

It's "your" property so long as you abide by THEIR WILL regarding "your" property.

[IM4given]

just goes to show that this couple made their mistake by building their shelter above ground. my shelter will be below ground and so much a part of the landscape no one will even know it is there! :amen:

[tired]

Won't a below ground shelter in Florida flood? :Green :hijack:

[John81]

Only if you open the door! :tum

[deafnva77]

I guess taxes is their way of saying you owe them money for roads, service, and such (how do you get to work?) . If you don't pay, you're stealing and so they have the right force you to pay them back. (just looking at a different prospective :Bleh )

[John81]

[quote="deafnva77"]I guess taxes is their way of saying you owe them money for roads, service, and such (how do you get to work?) . If you don't pay, you're stealing and so they have the right force you to pay them back. (just looking at a different prospective :Bleh )[/quote]

They have other taxes to cover these things and they can raise revenue in other ways besides property taxes. The whole concept behind property taxes is that ultimately the property really isn't yours and they can use many "legal" means to prove this and regulate, ruin and take your property from you if you fail to "voluntarily" cooperate.

[deafnva77]

true

[JerryNumbers]

Is it time for another big tea party?