Hi, Let me tell you a little about myself. I was born a perfectly healthy baby in Columbus, Ohio, on February 27, 1966. I was welcomed into the family by my Dad, Mom and older sister, Tami. My parents had opened a new restaurant, Shakey's Pizza Parlor, just 2 months earlier. The future was looking bright for the Byrne family. Little did we know things were about to change drastically.
When I was 4 months old I had a severe reaction to the series of 3 baby shots (they were called DPT shots in 1966) resulting in Mental Retardation, severe Scoliosis and Epilepsy with uncontrollable seizures. Dad and Mom trusted my pediatricians. When I experienced a "more than normal" reaction to my first shot in July, 1966, they didn't question the advisability of continuing on with the 2nd and 3rd shots in the series (which we found out in later years should never have been given). We think the 3rd shot was the one responsible for my permanent damage. As a result that was the end of my "healthy" life. Chronilogically I am 43 years old - mentally I am between 4 and 5 years old and require 24 hour care.
Over the years my parents took me to medical facilities and doctors all over the United States - Columbus, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, California, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Winston Salem, N.C. and even Birmingham, England trying to get the seizures controlled. I have been on almost every known anticonvulsant medication - several of them as drug trials of new medications. Some of the medications caused more severe side effects than the seizures themselves.
Today my seizures are better controlled than any time during the past 40 years with a combination of 4 anticonvulsant medications and a Vagus Nerve Implant.
I lived at home with my parents for 36 years and they gave me loving 24/7 care. Seven years ago I moved into a Supported Living Home with 2 roommates. This was a hard decision for Dad & Mom to make but a necessary one to insure my future needs would be met when they were no longer here. My whole family is still very involved in my life.
Mom has a message for new parents - "Don't be afraid to question your pediatrician or family doctor when it comes to the care of your child. Doctor's are not "God" and can make mistakes. Make yourself aware of the side effects and complications of medications & procedures recommended. I have a lot of guilt because I did not ask the question "is it safe to continue to give Carolyn the rest of the series of shots?. Blind faith in a doctor is not wise!"
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