The "Girl Who Can't Smell" Needs You!
Donation protected
Hello! Have you ever met anyone who can't smell?
If you have, *high five*. If you haven't, you do now!
A little more about me...
My name is Yazmin and I have anosmia. What is anosmia? Anosmia is the medical term for the lack of sense of smell. I am a blogger (I go by the name of "Girl Who Can't Smell" hehe) and write about my experience growing up with this condition.
Why Do I Write About My Experience?
Well, anosmia has led to an interesting life. Because it's an invisible disability, most people can't tell that I can't smell and are unaware this condition even exists. Most are shocked, honestly. What's prompted me to be one of the first bloggers to discuss this condition is the need for awareness. Some people have been understanding when finding out, but others' reactions have been a little more complicated. I'll get to that in a second...
Is Anosmia Dangerous?
Because I can't smell, I can't detect dangers such as nearby fires, gas leaks, harmful chemicals and spoiled foods. I like to be around people who can smell for me and are my "designated noses."They keep me safe.
What's it Like Growing Up Without A Sense of Smell?
I was born with anosmia and did not have any necessary resources to help identify my olfactory problem. At the time, there wasn't much research compared to other disabilities (blindness, deafness, etc...). Because of this, I grew up feeling like there was something wrong with me. That I wasn't doing a good job of "learning" how to smell. I felt very different from my peers and learned to keep my anosmia a secret. I did this because when I opened up to others, I was:
misunderstood.
mocked.
embarrassed.
doubted /people didn't believe me.
If you allow it, anosmia can negatively affect your mental health and emotional well-being. People affected by a smell and taste disorder are more prone to depression and anxiety. Especially if their anosmia is acquired (obtaining the condition later in life) They may feel even more of these negative effects, especially if the onset was abrupt (or even gradual). Of course, there are also exceptions, and there are also people who don't mind living without their sense of smell (the exact percentage is unknown but still exists).
What Can You Do To Help?
This is where The "Girl Who Can't Smell" Needs You!
As an active participant in the small, yet growing, anosmia community, I was excited to find out about SmellTaste 2019.
According to their website:
"The University of Florida Center for Smell and Taste (UFCST) and Fifth Sense, the UK-based charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders, invite you to join us for SmellTaste2019. This bi-annual event will be held on May 17-19 on the UF campus in Gainesville, Florida. The conference provides the opportunity for anyone from around the world affected by a smell or taste disorder to learn more about their condition, interact with others with similar experiences and find better ways of coping with it."
You Can Help Me Attend!
The University of Florida Center for Smell and Taste and Fifth Sense, are two of the most prominent organizations promoting research for smell and taste disorders. The fact that these two organizations exist and are making strides and pushing for awareness is REALLY exciting to me! By attending this conference, I hope to gain valuable information on all their smell and taste disorder advancements, current/future research, and effective coping strategies to help those affected by anosmia and parents/loved ones who have recently found out their small children have been diagnosed with a smell and taste disorder. I want the opportunity to report back and summarize as a participant, all of the information on my blog so it also remains accessible for those who were not able to attend.
Cost Of Attendance:
My plane tickets via Southwest from Phoenix, AZ to Orlando FL (closest airport) will cost an estimated $500-600 roundtrip X2 (will need help with production and taking a guest)= $1000/1200.
Early Registration for the conference is $150 + $75 to bring a guest = $225.
The conference has secured a special rate with AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown for $129 per night. My hotel bill will be a total of $575.34 as I will be staying for 4 nights.
Car rental/gas from the MCO/Orlando airport, which is a 5 hour drive to Gainesville (round trip) will be $200-250.
$2250.34 + food expenses/miscellaneous fees =$2500
I will be collecting conference materials, taking notes during the sessions and meeting with researchers/directors/administrators. I will be dedicating an entire series of episodes/recaps on my podcast ("The Girl Who Can't Smell Show" ) of the conference with special highlights as well as creating YouTube videos for viewers to see. I will post updates on my social media including pictures throughout the day and finalize with an entire article on my website so I can share the many things I will be learning at this one of a kind event!
I will need help with funding by the end of February in order to book my flight, hotel, and early registration. Costs will only rise as more time passes and I would like to manage and budget the funds responsibly.
As The "Girl Who Can't Smell" my intention is to spread awareness and demonstrate to those affected by a smell and taste disorder who may feel they have a loss, that life is great regardless. My main aim is to give a voice to and represent those who were either born with or later acquired this condition. Creating a recognizable source that helps anosmics relate to, connect with and feel identified is extremely important ( I wish I had something like this growing up). The “Girl Who Can’t Smell’s anosmia movement is about recognizing the condition and feeding it with empowerment.
Hey, It's OK!
If it is not possible for you to donate at this time. You can still cheer me on! There are many other valuable ways you can help! You can make a difference simply by visiting my website directly https://www.girlwhocantsmell.com, liking and sharing my social media posts, and discussing the condition with family and friends.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's been a learning experience opening myself to others as I used to be very protective of my personal life and disability (before creating my blog). Now that I have been able to connect with others who are also affected by anosmia, I've grown more courageous, bold and happy. My wish is for everyone else to feel comfortable with themselves and find happiness as well.
Connect With Me:
Official Website
Podcast
YouTube Channel
SmellTaste 2019 Official Website
FifthSense Charity
If you have, *high five*. If you haven't, you do now!
A little more about me...
My name is Yazmin and I have anosmia. What is anosmia? Anosmia is the medical term for the lack of sense of smell. I am a blogger (I go by the name of "Girl Who Can't Smell" hehe) and write about my experience growing up with this condition.
Why Do I Write About My Experience?
Well, anosmia has led to an interesting life. Because it's an invisible disability, most people can't tell that I can't smell and are unaware this condition even exists. Most are shocked, honestly. What's prompted me to be one of the first bloggers to discuss this condition is the need for awareness. Some people have been understanding when finding out, but others' reactions have been a little more complicated. I'll get to that in a second...
Is Anosmia Dangerous?
Because I can't smell, I can't detect dangers such as nearby fires, gas leaks, harmful chemicals and spoiled foods. I like to be around people who can smell for me and are my "designated noses."They keep me safe.
What's it Like Growing Up Without A Sense of Smell?
I was born with anosmia and did not have any necessary resources to help identify my olfactory problem. At the time, there wasn't much research compared to other disabilities (blindness, deafness, etc...). Because of this, I grew up feeling like there was something wrong with me. That I wasn't doing a good job of "learning" how to smell. I felt very different from my peers and learned to keep my anosmia a secret. I did this because when I opened up to others, I was:
misunderstood.
mocked.
embarrassed.
doubted /people didn't believe me.
If you allow it, anosmia can negatively affect your mental health and emotional well-being. People affected by a smell and taste disorder are more prone to depression and anxiety. Especially if their anosmia is acquired (obtaining the condition later in life) They may feel even more of these negative effects, especially if the onset was abrupt (or even gradual). Of course, there are also exceptions, and there are also people who don't mind living without their sense of smell (the exact percentage is unknown but still exists).
What Can You Do To Help?
This is where The "Girl Who Can't Smell" Needs You!
As an active participant in the small, yet growing, anosmia community, I was excited to find out about SmellTaste 2019.
According to their website:
"The University of Florida Center for Smell and Taste (UFCST) and Fifth Sense, the UK-based charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders, invite you to join us for SmellTaste2019. This bi-annual event will be held on May 17-19 on the UF campus in Gainesville, Florida. The conference provides the opportunity for anyone from around the world affected by a smell or taste disorder to learn more about their condition, interact with others with similar experiences and find better ways of coping with it."
You Can Help Me Attend!
The University of Florida Center for Smell and Taste and Fifth Sense, are two of the most prominent organizations promoting research for smell and taste disorders. The fact that these two organizations exist and are making strides and pushing for awareness is REALLY exciting to me! By attending this conference, I hope to gain valuable information on all their smell and taste disorder advancements, current/future research, and effective coping strategies to help those affected by anosmia and parents/loved ones who have recently found out their small children have been diagnosed with a smell and taste disorder. I want the opportunity to report back and summarize as a participant, all of the information on my blog so it also remains accessible for those who were not able to attend.
Cost Of Attendance:
My plane tickets via Southwest from Phoenix, AZ to Orlando FL (closest airport) will cost an estimated $500-600 roundtrip X2 (will need help with production and taking a guest)= $1000/1200.
Early Registration for the conference is $150 + $75 to bring a guest = $225.
The conference has secured a special rate with AC Hotel Gainesville Downtown for $129 per night. My hotel bill will be a total of $575.34 as I will be staying for 4 nights.
Car rental/gas from the MCO/Orlando airport, which is a 5 hour drive to Gainesville (round trip) will be $200-250.
$2250.34 + food expenses/miscellaneous fees =$2500
I will be collecting conference materials, taking notes during the sessions and meeting with researchers/directors/administrators. I will be dedicating an entire series of episodes/recaps on my podcast ("The Girl Who Can't Smell Show" ) of the conference with special highlights as well as creating YouTube videos for viewers to see. I will post updates on my social media including pictures throughout the day and finalize with an entire article on my website so I can share the many things I will be learning at this one of a kind event!
I will need help with funding by the end of February in order to book my flight, hotel, and early registration. Costs will only rise as more time passes and I would like to manage and budget the funds responsibly.
As The "Girl Who Can't Smell" my intention is to spread awareness and demonstrate to those affected by a smell and taste disorder who may feel they have a loss, that life is great regardless. My main aim is to give a voice to and represent those who were either born with or later acquired this condition. Creating a recognizable source that helps anosmics relate to, connect with and feel identified is extremely important ( I wish I had something like this growing up). The “Girl Who Can’t Smell’s anosmia movement is about recognizing the condition and feeding it with empowerment.
Hey, It's OK!
If it is not possible for you to donate at this time. You can still cheer me on! There are many other valuable ways you can help! You can make a difference simply by visiting my website directly https://www.girlwhocantsmell.com, liking and sharing my social media posts, and discussing the condition with family and friends.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It's been a learning experience opening myself to others as I used to be very protective of my personal life and disability (before creating my blog). Now that I have been able to connect with others who are also affected by anosmia, I've grown more courageous, bold and happy. My wish is for everyone else to feel comfortable with themselves and find happiness as well.
Connect With Me:
Official Website
Podcast
YouTube Channel
SmellTaste 2019 Official Website
FifthSense Charity
Organizer
Yazmin Salazar
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ
