Fight Back Against Mold Illness with Help from Proactive Wellness Centers

CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment in Fairfax, VA

Experiencing mold toxicity is a terrifying thought for most people. Although it may seem like an interesting concept for a medical drama, nobody wants to experience the effects of mold exposure firsthand.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in wet environments, such as under tiles, wood floors, and ceilings, pipes, and roofs. While several types of mold exist, some are more hazardous than others, and some individuals may be allergic or sensitive to mycotoxins, the toxins that mold naturally produces. Exposure to excessive amounts of mold, or the types of mold that trigger health problems, can lead to mold toxicity and even CIRS - Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. This acute and chronic systemic inflammatory response syndrome is typically acquired after exposure to mold or other producers of biotoxins, usually from damaged water buildings.

If you believe that you're suffering from mold toxicity or mold illness, it can seem like the world is folding in on you. No matter what you do, your symptoms persist, lowering your quality of life and eliminating your peace of mind. Fortunately, there is reason to be hopeful: Proactive Wellness Centers now offers a research-backed, highly effective mold illness poisoning treatment in Fairfax, VA for men and women just like yourself and your children as well if they have been impacted.

Service Areas

Understanding

CIRS and Mold Toxicity

CIRS and mold illness are on the rise, and accurate diagnosis of the issue plays a major role in this trend. Thanks to Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, there is a huge body of evidence that covers diagnosing and treating patients with CIRS. Dr. Lawson is one of less than 30 practitioners in the United States that are fully certified by Dr. Shoemaker for diagnosing and treating CIRS. The body of evidence by Shoemaker and many associates is the largest body of scientific evidence that is published in major medical journals. Around 80% of CIRS/Mold cases are caused by indoor air contaminated with mold toxins and other triggers. However, it's important to note that CIRS can also be caused by biotoxin producers such as cyanobacteria and a marine dinoflagellate that produces the Ciguatera toxin found in certain types of fish.

When mold or biotoxins are not processed effectively, a series of biochemical changes known as the Biotoxin Pathway occur. Genetic studies have revealed that approximately 24% of individuals have a genetic makeup that makes them susceptible to developing an illness related to mold or biotoxins. The remaining 76% of the population can typically eliminate these toxins from their system and avoid the development of the Biotoxin Pathway that can lead to various diseases.

CIRS Treatment In Fairfax Fairfax, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Misdiagnosis

CIRS and mold exposure symptoms overlap with many other chronic illnesses, which makes diagnosis challenging and can even lead to missed diagnosis of CIRS. Based on research from Proactive Wellness Centers, CIRS is frequently misdiagnosed. Some of the most common misdiagnoses include:

  • Lupus
  • Chronic Pain Syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • PTSD
  • More

Lyme disease, in particular, is often misdiagnosed. We have treated a number of patients whose symptoms were in line with Lyme disease. Fortunately, we were able to confirm the presence of CIRS and mold and were able to successfully help those patients using CIRS treatment in Fairfax, VA.

Note that many of these patients have CIRS and Lyme disease and in that case, it is necessary to treat both in order for full recovery. Treating one or the other will invariably leave the patient with debilitating symptoms and even more frustration with their medical team. At Proactive Wellness Centers, we are skilled In diagnosing and treating both.

 VA Fairfax, VA
 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Fairfax Fairfax, VA

CIRS and Mold Poisoning Symptoms

If you're reading this page, chances are you're concerned that you might have CIRS or some form of mold poisoning. You may be wondering what you have - is it CIRS, or is it something else like Lyme disease? We can't provide the answer to that question without consultation and testing at our wellness center in Virginia. However, there are common symptoms of CIRS and mold toxicity you should know.

Some of the most common symptoms of CIRS include:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased Word Finding
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty Concentrating
  • Morning Stiffness
  • Tremors
  • Excessive Thirst
  • Tingling
  • Night Sweats
  • Frequent Urination
  • Confusion
  • Mood Swings

Proactive Wellness Centers'

Tools for Diagnosing Mold Sickness and CIRS

Identifying and confirming if a patient is being impacted by CIRS and identifying the cause and source of the biotoxin are the two main steps in diagnosing CIRS and Mold Exposure. To diagnose CIRS and Mold Exposure, the following diagnostic tools are commonly used:

To learn more about the debilitating symptoms of mold sickness and to find out whether you have CIRS or something else, contact Proactive Wellness Centers. Our team of medical professionals is here to help you every step of the way.

 VA Fairfax, VA

Hope for Patients with CIRS: Proactive Wellness Centers' Mold Illness Treatment in Fairfax, VA

Our approach to treating CIRS utilizes integrative and functional medicine, The Shoemaker Protocol along with the latest evidence-based approaches to treating mold illness and the related secondary issues that it causes. We begin by utilizing advanced diagnostics to confirm the presence of the condition and identify the specific environment causing continued exposure to biotoxins. Next, we take a stepwise approach to halt the progression of the disease, eliminate biotoxins from the body, and reverse any damage to cellular structures. Our goal is to help patients achieve a full recovery.

To do this, we not only have to identify the primary condition like CIRS or Lyme disease, but we then have to continue looking to see if you have any of the common secondary conditions like reactivated EBV, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others. Once we understand the totally of your condition, then we can implement a treatment plan tailored for you. Yes, it will leverage the Shoemaker protocol, but we have found that we have to extend the protocol to cover the secondary issues that we uncover.

The steps we follow to reach that goal include:

In order to initiate the recovery process, it is important to address and resolve any affected areas, or, alternatively, relocate the patient from that environment if necessary. Prolonged exposure to mold can hinder the success of the treatment plan and impede the healing process.

Two commonly used binding agents in the process of treating Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome are Welchol and Cholestyramine. Cholestyramine is particularly effective in binding biotoxins that are processed in the liver's bile ducts and helps to eliminate them from the body. It has been scientifically proven, through placebo-controlled studies, to reverse multiple aspects of the inflammatory process associated with CIRS.

Many individuals experiencing mold sickness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses may have a staph infection called MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) residing deep in their nasal cavities. This infection is resistant to antibiotics and needs to be eliminated for the patient to fully recover.

Each patient requires a customized plan based on the affected areas and CIRS severity. Retesting is necessary after each step to confirm balance restoration. Testing may include some or all of the following:
  • VIP
  • TGF Beta 1
  • MMP9
  • ADH
  • Antigliadin
  • Androgen Imbalance
  • C4a
  • More

In order to halt the growth of mold fungi, patients need to avoid foods that can cause mycotoxins. Some examples of these foods include:
  • Barley
  • Cottonseed
  • Peanuts
  • Corn
  • Black Pepper
  • Figs
  • Rice
  • Bread
  • Beans
  • More
Proactive Wellness has a proven track record of treating patients who have experienced severe health issues without any clear explanation. Unlike other "syndromes," our diagnosis process involves specific tests to confirm a diagnosis rather than simply ruling out other diseases.
 CIRS Mold Poisoning Treatment In Fairfax Fairfax, VA

Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain Syndrome are examples of illnesses that are often diagnosed without such confirmatory tests. If you are experiencing unexplained health issues or have been exposed to water-damaged buildings, it is possible that you are suffering from CIRS or a mold illness.

The good news is that we can diagnose and address this disease with a mold illness treatment program in Fairfax, VA tailored to your body and your symptoms. That way, we can help you regain your health as soon as possible.

Be Wary of These

5 Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Mold spores can easily be brought into your home on your shoes or clothing or through open windows or doors. If these spores can find a warm, damp, humid environment, they can begin to multiply. Soon, your home can be filled with toxic mold. If you think mold has invaded your home or another environment, like in an office or warehouse, it's important for you to know about the symptoms.

Unfortunately, diagnosing mold issues can be exceptionally difficult. But why? The answer can be quite frustrating.

Understanding the Difficulty of Diagnosing Mold Symptoms

Many doctors fail to recognize the impact of mycotoxins emitted by certain indoor mold species, which can lead to chemical and inflammatory reactions. While conventional medicine acknowledges that mold can cause allergies, it may overlook this crucial aspect of mold-related health issues.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • Standardized treatment protocols for mold toxicity are offered mostly by Functional/Integrative physicians as the conventional physicians are not on board despite over 20 years of published research. Due to this issue, patients spend precious months/years going from doctor to doctor in the conventional channel with no answers.
  • Though ERMI testing has been accepted in the integrative/functional medical community, there isn't a "gold standard" in mold testing that is universally accepted.
  • Mold symptoms can manifest in vastly different ways depending on the patient.
VA Fairfax, VA

After understanding the points above, it's no wonder that mold poisoning can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, integrative and functional holistic medicine providers and wellness centers like Proactive Wellness are flipping the proverbial script. Unlike traditional clinics, our team considers environmental factors that can affect patient health and has advanced training to provide mold poisoning treatment in Fairfax, VA.

Now that you understand why mold symptoms are so hard to diagnose let's take a closer look at five of the most common indicators of mold sickness.

 Mold Toxicity Symptoms Fairfax, VA

Fatigue

Fatigue is probably the number one symptom of well over 90% of CIRS patients. The level of fatigue varies from 5 on a 10 point scale all the way to 10 on a 10 point scale. Many patients can no longer work or remain productive as in the worst cases, the fatigue is overwhelming. College students living in moldy dorms frequently have to drop out of school until the illness is treated effectively. Older adults have to retire or stop working due the fatigue. If you have overwhelming fatigue, CIRS may be a major contributor to your illness.

 Mold Poisoning Symtoms Fairfax, VA

Breathing Problems

Exposure to mold can cause a host of respiratory problems, such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and asthma, especially in individuals with a weakened immune system. Mold can worsen asthma, irritate the nasal passages, lungs, and throat, and lead to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Other health issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinus congestion, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis have also been associated with mold sickness.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Treatment Fairfax, VA

Sadness and Depression

Mold can cause a variety of illnesses that can show up in different ways, such as psychological symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, concentration problems, and memory loss. It has been reported that nearly 40% of people who live in moldy homes experience depression. Researchers suggest that exposure to toxic mold and dealing with the physical symptoms of mold illness can contribute to mental health issues.

Due to this phenomenon, many mold patients are given antidepressant medications in the conventional channels.

 Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Symptoms Fairfax, VA

Feeling "Pins and Needles"

Numbness, twitching, or tingling in the extremities, such as hands, feet, legs, and arms, is another symptom of mold illness. The sensation is similar to pins and needles, which are often felt when the body is held in an uncomfortable position for a long time. While this sensation can indicate serious nerve damage or disease, it can also be a symptom of mold sickness.

CIRS Treatment In Fairfax Fairfax, VA

Digestion Problems and Disorders

When exposed to mold, individuals may experience various digestive problems. Some may lose their appetite, leading to unintentional weight loss. Others may suffer from stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. Furthermore, the influx of mold spores may trigger systemic inflammation, causing bloating and weight gain due to the digestive system's exposure to harmful mold.

Top Tips for

Controlling Mold in Your Environment

It's not possible to completely eliminate all mold and mold spores from your home or place of work. However, since mold spores need moisture to grow, the best way to prevent or get rid of growth is to reduce the moisture in your environment. If you already have mold growing there, it's important to clean it up and address the issue causing dampness. If you only clean up the mold and don't address the underlying problem, the mold is likely to return.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture throughout your home or office:

  • Use A/C or Dehumidifiers. This is especially important if you live in a hot, humid area of the United States.
  • Ensure A/C drip pans are clean, dry, and obstruction-free.
  • Thoroughly dry areas that are damp or wet within 48 hours.
  • Be sure to install insulation in cold areas like your home's exterior walls and windows. Doing so will reduce condensation.
  • Work with an HVAC company to check your HVAC system. Doing so can help ensure your unit is removing as much humidity as possible.
  • Keep the humidity in your home below 60% whenever possible.
 CIRS Mold Toxicity Treatment In Fairfax Fairfax, VA
 VA Fairfax, VA

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in your kitchen:

  • Check for leaks near your ice makers, sinks, and anywhere else water is present.
  • Make sure your exhaust fans are directing moisture outside, not into your attic.
  • If you notice your appliances are causing moisture on windows and other surfaces, turn them off as soon as you're done using them.

Here are some tips to help reduce moisture in crawlspaces:

  • Use a plastic covering on the dirt in your crawlspace. Doing so will prevent moisture from saturating the ground.
  • Ensure that your crawlspace or basement is ventilated well.
  • Check your home's gutters. Make sure they're directing water away from your property, not toward your foundation or crawlspace.

Your Top Choice for

Mold Toxicity Treatment in Fairfax, VA

Trying to "tough it out" through life with CIRS isn't any way to live. If you're suffering from the effects of biotoxin illness, you should know that there are solutions available to help you reclaim your health and your life. With the help of a can-do attitude, healthy living, and mold illness treatment from Proactive Wellness, there's light at the end of the dark tunnel you're trapped within. Contact our office today to get started on your first step toward recovery!

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Latest News in Fairfax, VA

Fairfax City Elementary School Principal To Lead Katherine Johnson MS

Officials from Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax school systems announced the hiring of a new principal for the city's middle school.Michael O'Connell, Patch Staff|Updated Thu, May 2, 2024 at 3:09 pm ETFAIRFAX CITY, VA — Daniels Run Elementary School Principal Chris Smith was named the new principal at Katherine Johnson Middle School on Thursday afternoon, according to a release from the City of Fairfax ...

Officials from Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax school systems announced the hiring of a new principal for the city's middle school.

Michael O'Connell, Patch Staff

|Updated Thu, May 2, 2024 at 3:09 pm ET

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Daniels Run Elementary School Principal Chris Smith was named the new principal at Katherine Johnson Middle School on Thursday afternoon, according to a release from the City of Fairfax Schools.

CFS Superintendent Jeff Platenberg and Fairfax County Public Schools Region 5 Assistant Superintendent Rebecca Baenig announced Smith's appointment at a meeting on Thursday with KJMS staff at the school.

Smith will succeed Dr. Tammy Sillipigni, KJMS' current principal, who announced earlier this year that she would retire on July 1.

"This decision was not made lightly, as my time at Daniels Run has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling," Smith said, in a letter sent to parents on Thursday afternoon. "Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of working alongside an exceptional staff, engaging with our bright and talented students, and forming strong bonds with our supportive families. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to our school community have truly made a lasting impact, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it."

Prior to becoming the principal at Daniels Run Elementary in 2019, Smith was an assistant principal at Brookfield Elementary in Chantilly and at KJMS, when it was known as Lanier Middle School.

Find out what's happening in Fairfax Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In 1998, Smith began his career in education as a social studies teacher/department chair for FCPS and neighboring district. A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park, he earned a bachelor of arts in secondary education. He went on to earn a master of education in educational leadership from George Mason University.

"The City of Fairfax welcomes Chris back to Katherine Johnson MS, and is grateful he will remain in our City school community," Platenberg said. "I have had the honor of working with Chris and admire his strong leadership, collaboration, and calm demeanor. I know our students benefit by having him in our City of Fairfax family and look forward to his tenure at KJMS."

Smith told DRES parents the transition to his new role be smooth.

“FCPS Region 5 and the Department of Human Resources are committed to working closely with the DRES community and the City of Fairfax Schools Leadership in the coming weeks," he said. "Their goal is to appoint a new principal who will continue to foster a caring and responsive culture of high expectations for all, ensuring the school's continued success.”

An engagement process involving parents and the community is expected to begin in the coming weeks to choose the next principal for Daniels Run Elementary, according to a CFS spokeswoman.

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Track Covid-19 in Fairfax County, Va.

These Covid tracking pages are no longer being updated. Get the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control, or find archived data from The Times’s three year reporting effort here.Daily Covid-19 admissions in the Fairfax County areaAbout the dataData is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prev...

These Covid tracking pages are no longer being updated. Get the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control, or find archived data from The Times’s three year reporting effort here.

Daily Covid-19 admissions in the Fairfax County area

About the data

Data is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalization data is a daily average of Covid-19 patients in hospital service areas that intersect with Fairfax County, an area which may be larger than Fairfax County itself.

The number of daily hospital admissions shows how many patients were admitted to hospitals for Covid and is one of the most reliably reported indicators of Covid’s impact on a community.

Total population

Ages 65 and up

Total population

Ages 65 and up

An updated vaccine is recommended for adults and most children. Statewide, 22% of vaccinations did not specify a home county.

Nearby hospitals

Share of I.C.U. beds occupied

About this data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes: The hospitals map shows the average I.C.U. occupancy at nearby hospitals in the most recent week with data reported. The data is self-reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by individual hospitals. It excludes counts from hospitals operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Numbers for hospitalized patients are based on inpatient beds and include I.C.U. beds. Hospitalized Covid-19 patients include both confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients. The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on cases in May 2023.

How trends have changed in Fairfax County

About this data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes: Weekly county death data prior to Jan. 2021 was not reported by the C.D.C. and is sourced from reporting by The New York Times. Hospitalization data is a weekly average of Covid-19 patients in hospital service areas that intersect with Fairfax County. Hospitalization numbers early in the pandemic are undercounts due to incomplete reporting by hospitals to the federal government.

Historical trends in Fairfax County

The data in these charts has been archived and they are no longer being updated.

About this data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data in these charts has been archived and they are no longer being updated. Weekly county case data prior to Jan. 2021 was not reported by the C.D.C. and is sourced from reporting by The New York Times. The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on cases in May 2023. Test positivity data is based only on test results reported to the federal government and is a seven-day average.

By Jon Huang, Samuel Jacoby, Jasmine C. Lee, John-Michael Murphy, Charlie Smart and Albert Sun. Additional reporting by Sarah Cahalan, Lisa Waananen Jones, Amy Schoenfeld Walker and Josh Williams. See a full list of contributors to The Times’s Covid-19 data reporting here.

About the data

Data on this page is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Population and demographic data is from the U.S. Census Bureau. Hospitalization data is reported by individual hospitals to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and it includes confirmed and suspected adult and pediatric patients. The C.D.C. does not provide complete vaccinations data for some counties and caps its vaccination rate figures at 95 percent.

The C.D.C. may make historical updates as more data is reported.

The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on Covid cases in May 2023.

Historic Fairfax Courthouse

Located at the intersection of Little River Turnpike (Rte. 236) and Chain Bridge Road, the Historic Fairfax Courthouse has stood here since construction was completed in 1800. The Historic Fairfax Courthouse is the third iteration of the Fairfax County Courthouse, the first being built near Tyson’s Corner around 1742. In 1752, the Courthouse was relocated to Alexandria following pressure from Alexandrian businessmen. Virginia ceded Alexandria to the Federal Government in 1789, to make room for the construction of a “federal terri...

Located at the intersection of Little River Turnpike (Rte. 236) and Chain Bridge Road, the Historic Fairfax Courthouse has stood here since construction was completed in 1800. The Historic Fairfax Courthouse is the third iteration of the Fairfax County Courthouse, the first being built near Tyson’s Corner around 1742. In 1752, the Courthouse was relocated to Alexandria following pressure from Alexandrian businessmen. Virginia ceded Alexandria to the Federal Government in 1789, to make room for the construction of a “federal territory,” now known as the District of Columbia. As the county court could not meet outside the boundaries of the county, a new location was earnestly sought. In 1798, Richard Ratcliffe donated four acres of land for the construction of the Fairfax Courthouse in the town of Providence (now the City of Fairfax).

In 1799, work started on the new courthouse using a design by architect James Wren. The first court session was heard in the new courthouse on April 21, 1800. Situated at a county crossroads (Little River Turnpike and Chain Bridge Road), the courthouse would have been surrounded by open fields. Providence was a very rural town, but the presence of the courthouse soon demanded certain amenities. A large tavern built opposite the courthouse, known as the Wilcoxen Tavern, served as hostelry and unofficial offices for the justices and lawyers who travelled here each month for court. In 1844, a cupola and bell were added to the courthouse for the purposes of calling court into session.

Court was interrupted during the Civil War, and damage to the courthouse interior was inflicted by both Union and Confederate troops. Immediately after the war, the courthouse was renovated. Photographs taken in the early twentieth century show several renovations of the interior, including changes in the orientation of seating and wooden paneling behind the judge’s bench.

The last major changes to the courthouse occurred during the 1967 renovation by architect Walter Macomber, who was directed to give the interior a more historic feel. Changes included the addition of 19th century benches from Jerusalem Baptist Church, and more colonial-style wainscoting. Circuit Court was held in the Historic Fairfax Courthouse until the creation of the Judicial Center in the 1980s, and Juvenile Court was held here until 2008.

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Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case

The woman who sued Fairfax County Public Schools for millions of dollars after accusing a classmate of raping her in middle school lost the case.On Wednesday afternoon, a federal jury ultimately rejected all of her allegations.The victim says when the verdict came down, she was confused, hurt, and even felt numb.Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle...

The woman who sued Fairfax County Public Schools for millions of dollars after accusing a classmate of raping her in middle school lost the case.

On Wednesday afternoon, a federal jury ultimately rejected all of her allegations.

The victim says when the verdict came down, she was confused, hurt, and even felt numb.

Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case

Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case

She exclusively told FOX 5's Sierra Fox, "I’m the one struggling with life-altering injuries that I’ll suffer with for the rest of my life, and they get to walk away from this case with no consequences, but I have to live with it forever."

This 24-year-old victim, identified as B.R. in court documents, said more than a decade ago she was repeatedly bullied, sexually harassed, and even gang-raped as a seventh grader at Rachel Carson Middle School in Herndon, Virginia..

Related

A 24-year-old woman told jurors Tuesday that she was repeatedly raped and sexually harassed a decade ago as a seventh-grade student in Virginia, and that school officials reacted to her pleas for help with indifference.

"It makes me feel so terrible because I know some other survivors have told me when you go through trials, it feels like the memories resurface; you have flashbacks, you feel similar feelings that you did when you experienced the trauma," said B.R. "But I felt like I literally relived this with the same administrators, the same teachers, just acting with no remorse, no care, no regard."

She claims Fairfax County Public Schools ignored her cries for help and even retaliated against her. However, after a lengthy trial lasting more than five weeks at the U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, a jury decided the school board was not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Fairfax County Public Schools cleared of wrongdoing in middle school rape case

"I feel extremely sad and disappointed," B.R. said. "I feel like this was yet another failure and miscarriage of justice."

Fairfax County Public Schools sent FOX 5 this statement, The jury’s verdict today affirms that the FCPS board and nine current and former educators acted in a caring, respectful, and professional manner to support the plaintiff when she was a student 12 years ago. We are grateful to the jury for their careful evaluation of the evidence and their service on this important case."

Related

Fairfax County Public Schools is accused of turning a blind eye to a horrific sexual abuse case.

"I have no regrets. I know the school board wants me to feel ashamed for bringing this, but I’m extremely proud of myself for fighting this for 12 years. I’ve been in this lawsuit for five," B.R. said.

The victim said she doesn’t want any other child to have to go through the traumatic experiences she did.

"I think it’s important to speak up. I know that you may see things like me losing my case, which may look like a deterrent from coming forward because it feels like the system fails victims like me, but we’re stronger together than speaking up alone," B.R. said.

She plans to explore other legal options and believes this case is far from over.

Focusing on Feel-Good News

During unprecedented upheaval in the world, it is worth remembering and reminding each other that plenty of reasons to feel hopeful, happy and helpful still exist. Among them are inspiring and impactful projects and stories created within our own community.This spring many Fairfax County Public Library staff members joined in team efforts to sew cloth face masks f...

During unprecedented upheaval in the world, it is worth remembering and reminding each other that plenty of reasons to feel hopeful, happy and helpful still exist. Among them are inspiring and impactful projects and stories created within our own community.

This spring many Fairfax County Public Library staff members joined in team efforts to sew cloth face masks for donation to local frontline workers and at-risk populations and to assemble face shields for distribution through Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS).

Additionally, FCPL staff collaborated with the student-run Youth COVID-19 Relief Organization (Project YCRO) to help make personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Project YCRO first contacted Pohick Regional Library about using its 3D printers to produce face shields. When the library’s printer beds proved too small for the clear face shield part, staff from several branches met to brainstorm other ways to contribute to the project.

The solution was to print the smaller face shield comfort strip part — to which the clear section attaches — instead. FCPL printed hundreds of strips for donation to Project YCRO.

As the special collection of history and genealogy resources within the FCPL system, the Virginia Room quickly identified the need to capture primary source material regarding this unique time in history. In April it opened an online submission portal and began collecting digital material relating to the pandemic experiences of people who live and work in Fairfax County. The project has received a great variety of material, including photographs, artwork, handwritten journal entries and poems, as well as links to podcasts and personal blogs.

Submissions came from all age groups and all parts of the county, and many people submitted multiple times. This project not only creates a fuller record of an historic event, but also allows residents to connect their experiences with the wider world — easing the isolation felt by many while staying at home.

For more information on the Virginia Room project or to submit your own story, read the Fairfax County Emergency Information blog post. Visit the Virginia Room's COVID-19 Project BiblioBoard to see some of the digital materials already shared.

Disclaimer:

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