The magazine of the photo-essay
July 2020 issue
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film maker
by Christopher Jones
Gillian McCarthy suffers from Multi Chemical Sensitivity and was diagnosed in 1983 after a career as an Agricultural
Merchant, visiting farms, where she was exposed to the many checmicals used in the farming industry. She is now
permanently disabled.
Exposure to everyday chemicals in paint, adhesives, building materials, clothing, perfumes, printing inks and virtually
every man-made product can bring on a life threatening reaction.
For over 15 years, Gillian McCarthy has lived in three holiday huts in a remote field on a friend’s organic farm while
the authorities try to find a solution to her housing problem. Visitors have to avoid deodorants, perfumes and
have to wear decontaminated clothes before contact. Even books and magazines have to be ‘aired’ before she can
read them.
Having spent all her money and sold her house to fund unsuccessful treatment, she now relies on the charitable
hand-outs of family, friends and supporters.
