Jessica Ruiz (Syracuse University)
Poison in our Homes
Darlene Medley is a single 39-year-old mother of 9: her children ranging from 22-years-old to 3-year-old twins. One year ago, she took her 3-year-old twin boys to a yearly check-up at WIC to find out that they both had high levels of lead in their blood. Rashad Jr Williams, the older of the two twins, had lead levels of 20-22 and his brother Devon Williams had levels at 12-16. Anything over 10 is considered extremely dangerous. The effects of lead poisoning can include developmental delay, behavior problems, loss of energy, and weight loss, just to name a few. Darleen recognizes these symptoms in her sons. Lead has been found all over their home; in the paint on the walls, in the dust on toys, and even the soil outside her home where her children play daily. According to Darleen, the landlord has done little to nothing to help her situation. “I'm watching my kids suffer meanwhile,” Darleen explained. During the summer her twin boys were sick with the Coxsackievirus, also known as hand, foot and mouth disease, which was misdiagnosed 6 times by different doctors. Eventually, when the doctor diagnosed them, the wounds inside their mouths were already healing. These are the rashes you see depicted in the photos. Darleen hopes her story can help educate people in the community but also lead away from stereotypes. Today Rashad Jr Williams is at a blood lead level of 9. Devon Williams is at a blood lead level of 8. In a week they will be retested with the hope that the high blood lead levels have decreased more.
Story: Poison in our Homes
Poison in our Homes
After only a couple of months of moving into their new home, Darlene said that the walls start to brake. Her three years old twins were plays against the wall when it suddenly broke through.
Story: Poison in our Homes
Poison in our Homes
After the twins were bathed they gather around the living room and play under a bed sheet as they make a fort while Rashad brings over 50 cans of food from the kitchen to the living room.
Story: Poison in our Homes
Rashad Jr Williams
Rashad Jr Williams, the oldest of the twins, had lead levels of 20-22 last year. Any amount of lead in the blood is considered dangerous. The last time he was tested he is was a level 9. They both will be tested soon in hopes that the blood lead levels have decreased.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
The twins gather sneak a peak of mother Darlene as she takes a smoke break.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
Rashad, Devon, and Azari spend the night watching their favorite cartoons hanging off a dresser where the television is located as Darlene prepares them dinner.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
Medley is fighting to have landlords take accountability for lead poisoning. Many homes built before 1978 have a higher percentage than they might have lead in their paint which is causing lead poisoning.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
Darlene says she has noticed a great deal of a difference in Rashad’s behavior since he has been diagnosed with high lead levels in his system.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
Everyone gathers around the table as they sing happy birthday to Azari, waiting for him to make a wish and blow out the candles.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
All my kids have to have multiple things going for themselves whether that’s playing an instrument or playing a sport says, Darlene.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
After calling her dad multiple times with no answer Teoonna sits by herself waiting for her father to call her in hopes of picking her up for the weekend.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
Darlene has tried to remove the mold inside her bathtub but has been unsuccessful due to the wrong products the landlord used to install the tub.
Story: Poison in our Homes
The Poison Inside Our Home
I’ll do anything for my kids, I want to educate the community on the dangers of lead poisoning. Lead is inside so many homes in Syracuse and most families are unaware of the impact it leaves. If I can help at least one family then I feel like I am doing my part says, Darlene.