Testimony of Marilyn & Lindsay Kirschner
On the Hepatitis B Vaccine
May 18, 1999

I am here today with my daughter, Lindsay, maintaining a commitment to pave the way so that other parents can make an informed choice in regards to the Hepatitis B vaccine. Lindsay is representative of all the children who fall under the mandate. Six months before the vaccine we had an idyllic life, reveling in the joy of Lindsay's Bat Mitzvah, perfect in every way.

Lindsay received the Hepatitis B vaccine two days before entering High School. The next day she seemed flu-like, the day after that so dizzy she couldn't stand-up without holding the walls. The following day she passed out. So our life goes, since August 1997. Lindsay has had syncopal & pre-syncopal episodes, her ability to stand was compromised for almost six months due to unremitting dizziness. Following our Drs. advice, unknown the vaccine was the culprit, Lindsay had the series of three. It was on the third shot Lindsay became so violently ill within two hours, that I knew the vaccine was the catalyst of her illness.

At 16, Lindsay should be having fun with friends, dating, & driving. Instead her days are filled with Dr. visits (15 specialists), MRI?S, CAT SCANS, SPINAL TAPS, ER VISITS, & Hospital admissions. Lindsay is plagued on a daily basis with HEADACHES (of a severe kind), JOINT PAIN, SEIZURES, NAUSEA, HAIR LOSS, DIZZINESS, GASTROESOPHOGAL REFLUX, & Extreme Fatigue. She has been diagnosed with an acquired Dysautonomia & is unable to hold food down with frequent retching, & vomiting. She takes a minimum of 10 doses of medication daily.

We have traveled to specialists in four States, and will be travelling to two more States before July.

Unfortunately, Lindsay is not isolated in her journey. After WPLG(MIAMI) HEALTH REPORTER, Kristi Krueger, broke Lindsay's story (the 1^st one to air in the country), I heard from droves of people who have been or have family members affected by this vaccine. (video)

Family life as we knew it has been destroyed. This illness is an emotional & extreme financial drain, as I am hardly able to work, depending on my family to support us, and often feeling like a beggar for our survival.

As a single parent this vaccine has ripped a part of our lives that can't be replaced. Lindsay, my former National Junior Honor Society President in 8^th grade, is now on a 504 Disability Plan. missing 70 days of 9^th grade, and pushing beyond that in this her 10^th grade year. What about her future? College? A Career? Will my son David ever forgive me for being so unavailable last year when he was a senior, now that he's 3,000 miles away in LA. The joy of his scholarship offers, & prom departure all took a backseat to Lindsay's illness. Or the fact that he's spending his birthday on a plane so we could be at this hearing just after returning Sunday from his 1^st year at USC. What about Lindsay's puppy Frisbee, who is boarded almost as much as he's at home?