CO Experience Project

Carbon monoxide is a hidden danger, often with hidden consequences. The poisoning experience can last long after the exposure incident has ended. Victims’ experiences are seldom reported on and are not routinely tracked. The following stories offer a window into the reality of CO poisoning and how, for many victims and their families, life goes on but is never the same. The CO Experience Project provides an opportunity for victims and families to tell their stories in their own words, for the purposes of public and industry awareness, informed prevention efforts, and to highlight the need for improved CO incident data collection. These thoughtfully written accounts are courtesy of Lyrysa Smith, author of "A Normal Life: A Sister's Odyssey Through Brain Injury" which tells the story of her sister Molly's survival following a CO poisoning incident in 1995.

The Empty Chair – Jeannie and Jeffrey Williams’ story

Date and location of incident: 6-8-2013 Best Western Blue Ridge Plaza – Boone, NC

Jeannie Williams and her son, Jeffrey, a few weeks before one night in a hotel room changed their lives forever. She remembers Jeffrey taking a shower, putting his pajamas on, and crawling into the big bed just as she began to feel very sick. She went into the bathroom, turned the light and fan on, and closed the door. She remembers feeling dizzy, then collapsing to the floor… (photo courtesy of Jeannie Williams)

Read the Williams’ story here…

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Take Your Breath Away – Tom and Richard Lueders’ story

Date and location of incident: 12-26-2006 Doubletree Grand Key Resort – Key West, FL

Richard (left) was 53 and his son, Tom, was 26, when they took a Christmas holiday trip to Florida… “Tom and I arrived in Key West, checked into our room, and went out, toured around town, had dinner, and we had a great time. The next morning, I was getting into the shower and Tom was on the bed reading a book. That was my last vision of him.” (photo courtesy of Richard Lueders)

Read the Lueders’ story here…

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So That Others Will Know – David & Patricia Ivie’s story

Date and location of incident: 8-24-2017 Best Western – Perryton, TX

Patricia and David Ivie aways enjoyed traveling together (photo courtesy of Buck Ivie)

Read the Ivies story here…

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Breaking Down the Door – Max Kipfer’s story

Date and location of incident: 9-17-2014 Hampton Inn – Chantilly, VA

Dick Cummings (left) and Max Kipfer two months after Max’s CO poisoning. Max has Dick’s pivotal voicemail saved on his cell phone: “Max, it’s Dick. We’re breaking down your door.” (photo courtesy of Max Kipfer)