LETTERS OF TESTIMONY TO THE HAWAII HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CONCERNING ASPARTAME



From: Robert "Bob" Mehl


HONORABLE SIRS:

My medical history as the result of using NutraSweet and Equal for years is probably much like thousands, if not millions of others WORLDWIDE. These two products, (NutraSweet and Equal), along with the deadly TOXIC ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER ASPARTAME, have caused ME so many medical nightmares there is scarcely enough room on ANY computer to list them ALL. I WILL, however, list those conditions/diagnoses that MOST affect my life at this point (I am 67 years old, taking care of my 89-year old father full time here at home). Since 1992, when a Vagus nerve 2.5cm tumor was discovered, my life of medical HELL began, and continues.

I also am, briefly, featured in the DVD Documentary about NutraSweet and Equal, SWEET MISERY: A POISONED WORLD PRODUCED BY CORI BRACKETT AND AVAILABLE THROUGH: http://www.soundandfuryproductions.com

First, the Vagus nerve which was discovered after I awoke one spring day with a VERY hoarse voice. Two days later I was seen by an EENT specialist at the famous Emory University Hospital Clinic, located here in Decatur, Georgia. Upon examining my throat with a mirror, he promptly told me Well, your left vocal cord is totally gone; I am 99% sure that a CT scan and MRI will prove beyond a doubt that you have a brain tumor. I was appalled at this news. Further questioning brought the following answers from the doctor: Your left vocal cord is irretrievably gone. Once we verify there IS a tumor and decide, between us, which method Ill use to remove it, we can then talk about a possible implant which would push your good right vocal cord against what's left of your defunct left vocal cord, which SHOULD then produce a soft, whispery voice, AT BEST.

Secondly, I had the tumor excised. It was benign, thank God! It had, however, indeed taken out my left vocal cord, paralyzed my esophagus, and of my tongue. This is what I now live with; if it were not for e-mail, I don't know how I would be able, for the most part, to communicate with the outside world. I have a cell phone, but calls to and/or from only result in total frustration as I either cannot hear them, or THEY cannot hear/understand me. VERY FRUSTRATING. Any attempt to talk, even with the whispery/soft voice I DO have is exhausting for me.

WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT ALL THESE MEDICAL PROBLEMS (PLUS TWO HEMORRHAGIC STROKES ON AUGUST 1ST AND 5TH, 2005, was YEARS OF drinking DIET Coke, 3-5 a day, and all the while THINKING I WAS DOING MY BODY GOOD BY STAYING AWAY FROM THE SUGARS OF NORMAL SODAS.

HOW WRONG I WAS! I was, at the same time, and for YEARS, drinking many cups of coffee daily, sweetened with either NutraSweet or Equalagain, THINKING I WAS DOING MY BODY GOOD. Instead, I actually GAINED weight though, not knowing the TRUE reason, I thought it was due to my career choice and the constant ten-state driving I did six days a week for some 30+ years. I was raising a family and my job entailed travelling to build a territory of customers, both retail and wholesale and it required almost non-stop driving from one state to the next. In order to assure myself Id stay awake as I drove, I stopped to re-fill my coffee cup whenever it ran out, ALWAYS sweetening it with NutraSweet OR Equal, whichever was available at the restaurant I stopped at.

I ALSO drank 4-5 Diet Cokes a day, again hoping the caffeine in the coke AND the coffee would keep me and others, safe on the road.I have, since all this began, also been diagnosed with:

MY MEDICAL PLATE IS FULL TO OVERFLOWING.

I PRAY that you, as a GOVERNMENTAL BODY will, DURING YOUR FEBRUARY 8TH, 2008 MEETING, BAN NutraSweet, Equal, and ASPARTAME FROM YOUR STATE; IF YOU DO, PERHAPS THE REST OF OUR STATES WILL AWAKEN TO THE WORLD-WIDE PLAGUE ALL CAUSED BY THESE ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS AND BAN THIS TOXIC CHEMICAL ONCE AND FOR ALL, SAVING COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF LIVES FROM LIVES of EXTREME PAIN, EXPENSE, UNHAPPINESS AND DEPRESSION, SUCH AS THAT WHICH I NOW LIVE 24/7 WHILE TAKING CARE OF MY 89-YEAR OLD ALZHEIMERS PATIENT FATHER. Most Sincerely and humbly yours,

Robert C. (Bob) Mehl
5020 Dogwood Lane
Buford, Georgia 30518-1764
E-Mail: rcmo2@charter.net
I do NOT use a phone except for calls to 911, which have been MANY!!