In 1988, a common household cleaning product changed Annette Falconett's life forever. Exposure to the product triggered Falconett's multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).

Bedridden for most of the following year with debilitating symptoms, Falconett was unimpressed with traditional medicine's response to her condition. She was told her condition was "all in her head," despite very real symptoms. Others told her she wouldn't get better-an attitude acknowledging her condition but offering no practical help.

Finding such explanations unacceptable, Falconett chose to reclaim her...