My Story

Why This Gourmet Chef Became A Mold Hunting Madman In Search Of Finding A Cure For The Love Of His Life …

From the desk of Joe Crivello
In the shadow of Pikes Peak
Sunday 6:15 pm

I love to cook.  I love a good wine.  Food and wine … now there’s a good combination!  Life was grand in the small mountain ski resort of Red River, New Mexico, where I lived with my wife, Kathy, and son, Josh.  We had moved a few years earlier from a hot and humid Texas.  Hot and humid … now there’s a poor combination! … but I digress.  Soon we would be moving again … to nearby Taos. 

Our Hacienda

The house was perfect.  Adobe walls with  Spanish tile floors.  Weeping willow trees in the yard with a lovely view of the Sangre de Cristo mountains.  Just a stones throw away from Julia Roberts getaway.  What we didn’t know yet was that something was living in our home that we couldn’t see but it would soon make its presence known.

Kathy was changing.  Her energy was gone.  Depression was setting in.  Constant headaches, rashes and dry skin.  ”What’s happening to me, Doc?” she said.

Mold Poisoning - What’s That?

“Kathy, I think you have mold poisoning.  Is there mold in your home?”

Mold poisoning, I’d never heard of such a thing.  He must be a quack!  All I can say now is “thank God” for a doctor that was ahead of his time in making a diagnosis not yet understood by the mainstream medical community.

It Makes You Wonder 

I was familiar with water damage and the potential for mold growth.  Heck, I used to live in Texas where some diehards would brag about spreading mold on their toast for breakfast.  It makes one wonder how many people have become ill from mold contamination without even knowing that it may be the cause?

The Great Mold Discovery

I went home and started my investigation.  Evidence of long term water leaks were uncovered as I began to look in the attic and crawlspace of the home.

A Renter’s Nightmare

I was naive and thought my newfound discovery would be remedied by our new landlord.  That was another lesson learned the hard way.  Not only was the medical community at large suspicious of this new “illness” but landlords seemed especially detached.  (That has changed since the legal community and state agencies have become more involved … but that’s another story!)

Time For A Career Change

With my wife’s health deteriorating I started researching everything I could find on the subject of mold.  Did you know that toxic mold is even mentioned in the Bible?  Well, after attending the best training classes in the nation at the time I received my certifications in mold inspection and remediation through the IICRC and IAQ … both nationally recognized to this day as the leaders in this field.

There Is Life After Mold Poisoning

After several years of treatments from both mainstream and alternative medical practitioners, Kathy is well on the road to recovery.  To this day, however, if she is around mold her body reacts and some of the old symptoms return.  Sometimes I take her with me on my mold investigations to see if she has a reaction.  Just kidding!

AmeriDri and Water Damage Hotline

It has been said that God moves in mysterious ways.  I believe that is why I’m doing this today.  If my wife had not become ill I would probably be like many who remain skeptical that there is really something to this “mold thing”.  Anyway, this is my story.  If you have experienced something similar or you suspect mold has invaded your home then give me a call at 719-388-8509 today.  I would love to hear from you.

 

–Joe Crivello