Posted on March 21, 2016

We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the “Share Your Story” feature on our website.

This week, we would like to honor the story of Mary, as shared by her daughter Mary Lynne, who is a part of our ADAO family.

We encourage you to submit your personal stories by clicking here and following the simple instructions on the page. In sharing, comes healing. Remember, you are not alone.


“Exposed Washing a Couple of Asbestos Workers Clothes” – Mary’s Story

Name: Mary

Location: MO

Year of Birth: 1908

Diagnosis: Asbestosis

Year of Diagnosis: 1992

Time of Death: February, 2001

How has asbestos changed your life? (As told by her daughter Mary Lynne, unedited)

Asbestos has changed my life tremendously. I have had three very dear relatives that have died from asbestos related diseases. Two with mesothelioma, one with asbestosis and four relatives living with asbestosis. What a horrible disease we all know this is. One of the very dear ones was my Mother. I was lucky she lived to be 89. Her asbestosis became apparent in her 70’s when this very active woman had to have breathing treatments. A few years she had Alzheimer’s disease. You can see how with these two diseases life was very hard for her and her caregivers. Her exposure was having a laundry and washing a couple of asbestos workers clothes.

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