Thalidomide in the USA: the Forgotten Survivors

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"It's time to let the world know we do exist ... the US did not escape the thalidomide tragedy; it just got forgotten."
This short film was produced and directed by a thalidomide survivor, and features many of the victims highlighted in the book, "WONDER DRUG: the Secret History of Thalidomide in America and Its Hidden Victims" by Jennifer Vanderbes.
This documentary with first-ever seen footage, by and about United States thalidomide survivors, chronicles their decades-long journey to find the truth about distribution of the drug in the US, and its devastating effects. Born with multiple limb anomalies, as well as, often, internal damage or damage to the eyes and ears, US survivors struggled uphill to find the facts, each "individual souls, in this vast country, trying to each separately make our way in a sea of misinformation." It explores an apparent news story that has hovered under the radar of public awareness now for 60 years.
For the audience that thinks thalidomide had never been available in the USA, this is a must-watch. The film follows 10 individuals with thalidomide injuries, who meet for the first time in their late 50s, and convene in San Diego for a 2019 conference to "uncover the lie, and share the outrage," as well as some tears, and more than a few laughs. Features historical background by author and researcher, Jennifer Vanderbes, as well as the scientific expertise of Neil Vargesson, and the music of Toad the Wet Sprocket.
It is the public Producer/Director debut for C. Jean Grover, herself a thalidomide survivor. Also contributing as Associate Producers: Andrew Penner and Yasin Daulat; and featuring original music by Jake Penner.
IMPORTANT: HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. We will be contacting our Senators and Representatives. Contact YOUR senator (www.senate.gov/senators/) or YOUR House of Representatives Rep (www.house.gov/representatives) and ask them to please meet with us, and support assistance for US thalidomide survivors.
2. Visit our website (usthalidomide.org) and click our social media links there. Follow us, like us and share our news and info!
3. Share this film in your networks!
4. Buy the new Random House publication, "WONDER DRUG: the Secret History of Thalidomide in America and Its Hidden Victims" by Jennifer Vanderbes.
5. Donate as you are able. (usthalidomide.org/donate) Your gift helps US survivors attend invaluable networking and advocacy events, meeting each other often for the very first time.
#thalidomide #wonderdrug #usthalidomide #rightthewrong #thalidomidebabies #settingourstorystraight

Опубликовано:

28 июн 2023

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Комментарии : 73

@AndyP Год назад

Through the release of this and “Wonder Drug,” the American survivors finally have a strong collective voice

@philipfrancis2728 11 месяцев назад

I am an unreported Thalidomide child. My Dad (now 88 yo), just decided to tell me my mother took Thalidomide beginning in October 1961. I was born in May 1962 with only nubs for fingers. I was told, “you have a birth defect and we don’t know why.” My mother died when I was a child; But my Dad knew all along and never told me.

@Grovercommunications 11 месяцев назад

Hey please head over to USthalidomide.org and fill out our survivor history so that we can count you!

@elizabethann8228 8 месяцев назад

I’m so sorry. I’ve been unreported as well. Born in 1957.

@dellwood17 3 месяца назад

I was born in July 1962 blind in my right eye and with autism. My parents didn't tell me anything either. They were one of the first 6 cases awarded an out of court, non-disclosed settlement by the Richardson-Merril pharmaceutical company. The law office that handled the settlement was Craig Spangenberg's law office out of Cleveland, Ohio. Hence, the reason I was never told was because they were paid a lot more money to keep me ignorant of the origin of my condition. They also received a huge chunk of money when my father turned over my birth records to Spangenberg's office in 1970, which were subsequently destroyed.

@juliepeterson6639 Год назад

This post is just brilliant! I am still thoroughly disgusted by this huge LIE. I was born in 1961, and as a child, heard about thalidomide babies. I am just so angry and heartbroken about how these precious sweet children were denied. God Bless everyone involved, forever.

@christinehenze-oesterle5533 11 месяцев назад

Brilliant documentary I just watched right now. I am a german Thalidomide survivor and I was shocked that US survivors couldn't find each other until 2020. What a shame!

@margaretkramer9090 Год назад

Christine was one of my best friends. A remarkable person, as well as her husband Jeff. This is an important documentary and a story that needs to be shared widely. Thank you all who participated by sharing your stories, thank you for your valiant work and advocacy. May we get to a place of recognition and reparations for all who have suffered and never repeat this terrible chapter in our medical history.

@RandallHiggins Год назад

Christine and I were born in the same hospital. Different sources of Thalidomide, but a remarkable coincidence.

@mcshllymc6656 Год назад

I am 69, and I remember when I was 6 years old, my mom telling me about "Thalidomide " babies I lived in Ohio. I never forgot it and because of hearing that at an early age I never blindly trusted doctors or the FDA. When this last debacle took place I filtered the "solution " thru my early knowledge and so glad to have escaped the injuries and deaths due to the "solution". The government has not acknowledged the thousands injured recently so I'm sure they will continue to sweep your injuries under the rug unles there is a strong outcry from the public. I'm glad you have met each other. There are others who know about you and care how you are neglected. I pray this country's government will stop neglecting you. I will share this video with as many ignorant, uninformed people as I can.

@amyt6254 11 месяцев назад

I had no idea this happened in the US. I am so angry that happened to these people and was not even acknowledged. Thank you for this documentary to bring awareness.

@daleenamdowning1555 Год назад

After watching this wow guys I truly now do not feel alone when she said science project I started crying real life I always felt like a science project and now that I do not feel that I had to go through it alone😢 thank you so much for sharing everything this right here makes me feel like I belong to

@stevelucier8346 3 месяца назад

I remember from around age 3 thru 5 I thought similarly. Like I was an experiment to see how much I could take. Knowing it wasn't fair, I just couldn't do and enjoy what siblings did and never would. Add the achs and pains and struggles to do what I could.

@sandiekaye5241 11 месяцев назад

I am 77, and I clearly remember hearing about Thalidomide. I had a baby in 1964, and there had been discussion loud and clear about that drug. I heard the drug name, never forgot it. Years later I met and worked with a Thalidomide victm. I knew what had happened to her without ever being told. I am amazed that the general population and even doctor think it was not in the USA and I worked in the medical field my whole career.

@MarleysMom1 11 месяцев назад

I am a nurse-midwife, beginning practice in 1987. I don't recall ever thinking that we did not have 'thalidomide babies' here in the US. I now wonder why I never had the idea that we didn't. Must have had some good instructors along the way. I've just always known that we did.

@gavinbamber6082 Год назад

I met Christine Green and we had some good laughs together. Miss her.

@marianneodell7637 11 месяцев назад

I had always been under the impression that no one in the U.S. had been affected by Thalidomide- That the FDA had realized it was a dangerous drug and never approved it for use here. Why did they lie!? Where does this suit stand now?

@Grovercommunications 11 месяцев назад

Where we stand now is retelling the historical account, and approaching our members of Congress to help us right the wrong that was done so many years ago. Individuals who need help today could use an assistance fund and we do not think that is too big of an ask. We are going to go for it and we hope that our fellow Americans will stand with us!

@mariekatherine5238 11 месяцев назад

My Mom was offered it for morning sickness. Thankfully, she declined. We WERE in the military, US Navy, living in the Philippines, Dad in Guam and other places in the Pacific. Somewhat miraculously, he escaped leukemia, melanoma, and other deadly cancers, one of the few. Our sister died of leukemia in 1971, age 12, probably WAS related, but we can’t prove it, so didn’t get a dime of compensation. Six of nine are still living.

@Laura-bi5dc 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for telling this important story. What a remarkable group of people. You have all my love and support.

@kathydoi9768 11 месяцев назад

This is horrifying! I am so, so sorry that you all had to undergo these years of isolation and pain. I can’t believe you’ve had no recourse through legislation or the courts. Congratulations on your tremendous courage.

@NancyCronk 8 дней назад

When I was little girl growing up in a suburb of Detroit in the 60s and early 70s, I had a playmate who was a Thalidamide survivor. I think she was born around 1963. I don't remember her name (my memory of childhood friend's names is starting to fade in my 60s!), but I liked her and never thought of her as "disabled", only different. She played the same games the rest of us did. I have always wondered how her life turned out. I was surprised to hear there are only about 100 Thalidomide survivors in the United States. If you are that person reading this, I have never forgotten you, and you have always been in my thoughts and prayers! I join this community in demanding justice for survivors!

@swisschalet1658 11 месяцев назад

As a young college student, I worked as a server in a local country club in Cincinnati. One of the workers in the kitchen (the dishwasher) was a thalidomide survivor...a black man. Despite his stub arms (his legs were relatively normal), he was an extremely hard worker and could operate the large metal dishwashing machine for the pots and pans. I would estimate his age to be about 35 in 1990. I went on to become a pharmacist in 1995. After seeing what I saw throughout my career, and after the scam of 2020, I now have zero trust in anything healthcare related...whether it is pharmaceuticals, testing devices, "research studies", etc. Before the scam, my trust was low and I didn't think it could get any lower, but it did. They proved they have no qualms about injecting poison into people, then lying about it, then gaslighting the people who try to speak up. The only way out of this is for people to understand that we do not need drugs. People are not going to agree with me, but I stand firm. When you understand that food and herbs can provide everything your body needs to heal, you need nothing else. There is a vast knowledge canyon with regard to how to treat illnesses with anything but pharmaceuticals. And I'm not talking about "supplements"...they are Big Pharma in disguise. I think about that man often. I don't know why. It's so sad that he and others were injured like this.

@julsjewels3185 11 месяцев назад

My mother was offered this drug to help with morning sickness. My father was stationed at Ramstein in Army base. Fortunate for me my mother said no. She did not believe in taking meds while pregnant. My heart goes out to all the victims because I could have been one too. We need to helping anyway we can. Greed was the culprit.

@MarleysMom1 11 месяцев назад

My dad was stationed in Germany in that time-frame as well (USAF). I was born at Weisbaden in 1960. Also very thankful that my mother did not take that stuff during her pregnancy with me.

@spongebobsquarepants7943 4 часа назад

Thank you for this, it helps so many

@Peaceisful 15 дней назад

Thank you all!

@Anika80 10 месяцев назад

I was one of those people who thought Thalidomide never got to the US

@iheartherbs 11 месяцев назад

Thank you thank you thank you! For sharing this truth

@Grovercommunications 11 месяцев назад

You are so welcome

@Algorithmicgeneratedwordsalad 10 месяцев назад

So my grandmother had been prescribed Thalidomide when she was pregnant with my my mom my mother was illegitimate when my grandmother was in a car accident her family had sent her off to live with a relative in the country and my grandmother never picked up the prescription

@suzannefell-rickard8999 8 месяцев назад

Jean, this is an excellent documentary and I'm so glad to have been able to meet so many of your "family" members through this medium. You're a brave woman and I'm blessed to have you as my bff. Love you!❤ (Now, let's get some Thai food.)😂

@mjkay8660 11 месяцев назад

my dad knew a doctor that delivered many thalidomide babies, if they were severely deformed many doctors would not "slap them on the back" they told the mother the baby was stillborn. at that time stillborns were seldom "buried" they were considered "medical waste" which meant the body was processed by a large "disposal" system.

@swisschalet1658 11 месяцев назад

tragic. wow.

@elizabethann8228 8 месяцев назад

😣😔😭

@katmandudawn8417 11 месяцев назад

I was born in 1958 but my mother never took many drugs but I remember being horrified when I learned about the thalidomide babies. I felt that I had been extremely lucky. I did met a girl in college who said she was a thalidomide baby but she seem not to have any glaring effects. I’m very glad that this information is coming out and I hope this is a cautionary tale but I fear not. I recently heard that thalidomide is being used again in the USA. Apparently it is being used to treat myeloma , bone marrow cancer, and “ skin condition “ , aka leprosy. This makes me every angry. How can they risk having this poison around the public. What happens if it gets into the water or just taints a pregnant woman? Surely with all our many advances and medications we have other treatments options. Why take the risk? I’m not a conspiracy nut but this is an example of why people don’t trust big Pharma. These companies have repeatedly proved that money is the goal, not care and treatment. Shame on the companies and great love and respect to the people in the documentary.

@Grovercommunications 11 месяцев назад

I suggest reading the new Random House publication, “WONDER DRUG: the Secret History of Thalidomide in America and It’s Hidden Victims” …. It really outlines what TRULY happened …. Who lied, who withheld info, and who failed to prosecute!

@jeanmarieskelly3317 10 месяцев назад

I had a friend when I was small in NYC, her name was Susie,she used her toes to dig in the sand pile, I tried to copy her. She push my doll stroller and fell and could not stop he fall because she only had hands on her shoulders. Her mom brought her to Spain to get fake arms. She was very pretty with blonde hair, she had an older brother. My mom told me that her mother had taken a morning sickness pill and that was what had caused this it was given out in 1956.

@hannahrosa5485 11 месяцев назад

and Canada and Australia

@MattIsTheCat 11 месяцев назад

How do we get more people to know about this?

@Grovercommunications 11 месяцев назад

Please share this film widely! Share the RU-vid link on your social media platforms!

@MattIsTheCat 11 месяцев назад

@@Grovercommunications I can see if anyone I know that has social media will share it for me. But I don't really have any friends.

@Tropicalpisces 10 месяцев назад

Once Europe knew it was dangerous, the U.S.,Inc. kept peddling it. 🤔😭

@debbithompson2181 3 месяца назад

Soooo wrong that this was allowed to happen.

@gotham23us Месяц назад

Who is the woman at 26:13? She doesn’t seem to be anywhere else in the film.

@Grovercommunications Год назад

I’m not sure about this, but if anyone else knows, please chime in ….

@gavinbamber6082 Год назад

I have never heard of it being re-released in the 1980's or after except as a strictly controlled medication for multiple myeloma and other medical conditions. I possess an extensive library of information on thalidomide, and what factsmatter4030 claims is urban rumor and nothing more.

@RandallHiggins Год назад

Thalidomide has been used widely. It’s been used in Brazil, where prescriptions are loosely controlled. There are still babies being damaged by Thalidomide.

@mcshllymc6656 Год назад

@@RandallHiggins that is horrible and sad! Man's inhumanity to man over a profit 😞

@marianneodell7637 11 месяцев назад

I’ve heard it’s supposed to be an almost “miracle” drug for some forms of cancer, but with the stigma physicians are reluctant to prescribe it?

@marianneodell7637 11 месяцев назад

@@mcshllymc6656It is indeed disgusting. Unfortunately there will always be those greedy individuals/corporations/governments who continue to run on that credo 😡

@swisschalet1658 11 месяцев назад

The YT channel Babs and HoneyBee...has she been contacted? Also YT channel Rowdy Burton.

@Grovercommunications 11 месяцев назад

We do not routinely contact people who look like survivors, but we welcome you to share our video with these people, and they can reach out to us and join our group!

@pinacoloda226 7 месяцев назад

When did thalidomide come to the UNITED STATES??

@lisaturtle1106 9 месяцев назад

It’s ALWAYS money it’s the very ROOT OF ALL EVIL!!!

@imbetterthanyouis 10 месяцев назад

we didnt start the fire by billy joel references it , i remember kids worse off than this , i remember brain damages kids in wheelchairs that made stephen hawkings look normal and i remember thinking man that must have been tough on the parents , years later i noticed you dont really see it as often anymore and the realization some of those parents couldnt take it anymore and oh dear there was a blackout last night and the backup life support didnt work , nothing but tragic

@stevelucier8346 3 месяца назад

It is believed that fewer than 3,000 are still alive world wide as of 2020. Really most have passed away already.

@AlaskanInsights 8 месяцев назад

makes yah wanna run out and get some mrna gene therapy....

@mrz6921 Месяц назад

never again, i hope The right person will always appear at the right time in history. in my opinion, both Charles Eisenstein and Robert Kennedy are the right men for this time. kennedy is the remedy. never again thalidomide and the likes

@user-cv7ws5np2f 19 дней назад

And now history repeats and another cover up happening right now,do people never learn from history 😢

@Julio-wf8go 11 месяцев назад

*Promo sm* 👌

@dumdum_plays 9 месяцев назад

germans were supposed to design it as a tranquilizer for much stronger animals and no lethal dose but it should've been for those animals instead of kids