Family stops at Cripple Creek on cross-country trip to improve health

A Massachusetts family bought an RV in November and has since traveled throughout the United States in an effort to help treat a chronic illness.

Pete and Christina Maney say they have Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), an illness usually caused by long-term exposure to mold toxins; the illness generally happens after exposure to the interior of a water-damaged building.

The most prevalent symptoms for the couple was chronic fatigue and foggy head, which rendered them constantly tired while raising five kids.

“To say it was a chore just to get out and walk out onto the driveway is an understatement,” Christina Maney said.

A physician advised them to seek out drier places that are not as conducive to mold, so they made plans to travel the country. They sold all their belongings and their house to travel in an RV, searching for drier climates that will help their health.

The family has traveled through Arizona and Texas, arriving at Cripple Creek as the parents’ health improves.

“I think we’re both getting better,” Pete Maney said. “We’re happy about that.”

Christina said CIRS is a condition that is often misdiagnosed by doctors and not yet recognized by the entire medical community.

“A lot of the symptoms are things you can’t really test for,” she said. “So when your test comes back negative for things, it looks like you’re just making things up and that’s so frustrating.”

KRDO tried reaching out to allergy and immunology specialists in Colorado Springs, but they said they were not comfortable commenting on the issue.

Still, the parents say they have noticed their health improve; and they have the added bonus of being able to spend more time together as a family.

“If I had to go back and choose to have it again, I don’t know if I would,” Christina said. “But it’s definitely a blessing in disguise.”

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