Woman’s severe allergy to BOOKS forces her to drop out of college
(from The Daily News)
An English student has been forced to drop out of college - because of a deadly allergy to books.
Kirsty Ashman's severe allergies meant that grimy student hangouts and dusty lecture halls could be deadly.
And the 22-year-old even ended up in the hospital after trying to study in the library, when dusty books triggered a severe asthma attack.
After trying to study at two universities, Kirsty has been forced to give up her dream of becoming an English teacher.
Kirsty, from Haverhill, Suffolk, said: "I was desperate to get a degree and finish my studies, but I had to put my health first.
"My allergies grew so bad that I lived in fear of libraries and common rooms, as even a small inhalation of dust could bring on an asthma attack which would completely shut down my airways.
"I tried to stay away from areas which could bring on an attack, but there's so many aspects (at college) I couldn't control that I was ill all the time.
"The library and the common rooms were always dusty, the books triggered my allergies and I had to get my friends to get my books from the shelves.
"I am determined to become a teacher, so I'm studying at home from the Open University - but there's no way I can study English, there are too many dusty books."
Kirsty first attended Queen Mary's University in London but lasted only a term until her continual allergy-related problems meant she spent more time in the hospital than in her halls.
She then decided to commute from home to attend Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, where she lasted nearly a year before a series of attacks meant she was forced to drop out.
In two years at university Kirsty suffered over fifteen life-threatening asthma attacks brought on by various dust, grass, pollens, animals and mold.
Kirsty said: "The toilets and the canteen were always dangerous because the cleaning products could bring on an attack and mean another visit to hospital."
Kirsty suffered hay fever as a child but her more severe symptoms began at the age of 18 when a chest infection heightened her allergic reactions.
She said: "It’s really hard, I have to battle so much just to achieve normal things.
"One day I was studying, I'd got my friends to get the books off the shelves in the library as that is normally a danger area for me.
"As I got the book out of my bag and opened it, it must have wafted a cloud of dust into my face because I felt my airways closing and was struggling to breathe.
"It was a terrible reaction and I ended up back in the hospital."
Kirsty who now studies medical sciences with the Open University from the safety of her home feels that she has missed out on the benefits of a real university experience.
"Older, dustier books trigger my allergies so fewer, newer books definitely minimizes the risks.
"I've not changed my aspirations completely, I still want to be a teacher but it definitely made me reconsider which subject I taught.
"My allergies have such a big impact on my life it’s inevitable that they would influence my choices for the future.
"All my friends have been to university, moved away from home and had an amazing time.
"They've finished their degrees and have already got jobs and I feel left behind.
"I would love to live away from home but it's just not practical for me."
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