A mother experienced a severe allergic reaction after living in an apartment infested with mold, where mushrooms even began to grow on furniture.
Joanna Hayes, 42, along with her two-year-old daughter, developed painful rashes and blisters they suspect are due to the unhealthy living conditions. They moved into a two-bedroom flat in Stall Port-on-Severn last June, but within months, black mold spores covered the place.
Photographs reveal mold spreading across walls and even mushrooms on the living room sofa.
At one point, Hayes was hospitalized after suffering from anaphylactic shock, which caused her lips to swell significantly. Her daughter similarly suffered from a large, painful rash on her face.
Now, Hayes feels frightened to enter the apartment, causing them to sleep in their car. As a single mother working as a charity fundraiser, she initially tried to manage the situation but found it increasingly unmanageable.
“I thought I could handle it, but it got worse to the point where the wallpaper fell off,” she recounted. “When it rained, the mold issue became more apparent.” She described how entering her daughter’s room one morning felt like a gust of cold air washed over her, indicating deeper issues within the flat.
Hayes has reached out to the community housing authority, requesting either mold removal or relocation. While they attempted to clean the mold, she feels the problem persisted and keeps returning.
“My daughter needs an inhaler, and we’re both struggling with frequent chest infections,” she expressed, adding that it’s shocking for her toddler to require such medication at such a young age.
During a dinner preparation, Hayes experienced shortness of breath, which she initially attributed to stress. However, her condition worsened, and she felt dizzy, eventually dialing for emergency help. Although she had an EpiPen from a past allergic reaction, it was outdated by the time she needed it.
The medical responders verified her condition was critical, and upon entering her daughter’s room, they deemed the living conditions unacceptable.
“This reaction made it clear that the mold was seriously affecting my health,” she stated, expressing fear for her life and concern about leaving her daughter behind. Currently, she is undergoing allergy tests at the doctor’s recommendation but feels she should vacate her home due to health risks.
She shared that the community housing authority acknowledged the seriousness of the mold situation but indicated it requires extensive repairs that affect the entire building. “They attempted to help, but I need alternative arrangements until the issues are resolved,” she added.
“My daughter has been incredibly brave through this, yet I constantly worry about our future and where we can go next. It feels like we’ve been left to fend for ourselves,” she lamented.
In response, the community housing authority apologized for the challenges Hayes faces and promised ongoing support to ensure she feels safe and healthy at home.
