In February 1960, my sister, a vibrant and seemingly healthy child, was in fourth grade in Rockland County, New York, when she contracted measles from a classmate who lived nearby. This case was part of the nearly 1,000 uncomplicated measles cases reported prior to the implementation of the measles vaccination program in the United States in 1963. Unfortunately, among these cases, one in every thousand would result in a lifelong disability—my sister became that statistic when she was diagnosed with measles encephalitis on March 1.
Though I was only six years old at the time, the seriousness of her condition was not lost on me. The very word “measles” still resonates with me today, especially as the conversation around herd immunity becomes increasingly contentious and vaccine skepticism persists despite the overwhelming evidence supporting vaccination.
My sister was rushed to the local hospital, where she fell into a coma due to the brain injury caused by the encephalitis. The prognosis was bleak, with one insensitive doctor suggesting my mother “pretend she was hit by a car.” However, my mother refused to give up, remaining by my sister’s side day and night. Meanwhile, I was shuffled between neighbors until my father could pick me up, likely trying to manage work despite the mounting medical bills and the upkeep of a home that was meant for a bustling family but instead echoed with the silence of illness.
After five weeks, a miracle occurred: my sister awakened from her coma. Due to hospital regulations, I had not been permitted to visit her, but my parents arranged for her to wave to me from a window. I stood in the parking lot, and her enthusiastic wave symbolized not just her will to survive but also the challenges that lay ahead.
Time felt slow as a child, and I don’t recall her homecoming, although it was around Easter, a time when I was eagerly wanting a pet rabbit. My aunt suggested I could have a toy rabbit now or wait for a real one when my sister came home. I bluntly declared, “My sister is never coming home.” This statement, though made innocently, captured a profound truth; the sister I knew before measles would never return.
Initially, it seemed life returned to normal with my sister back from the hospital and my mother home. However, my sister’s personality and behavior had changed drastically as a result of her encephalitis. She struggled with subjects she had once excelled in and began to engage in arguments over trivial matters. My parents were at a loss, and while teachers expressed sympathy, they provided little practical support. My sister’s case became complex in an otherwise straightforward world.
Then came the day she “fell” while walking home from school—what I later learned was actually her first grand mal seizure. This marked the beginning of a long series of seizures, and the complications from her measles encephalitis began to emerge, creating a challenging path ahead. As she navigated the tumultuous preteen and teenage years, her cognitive and social struggles became more pronounced, making her a target for bullying long before such issues gained attention. Lifelong medications managed the seizures to some extent, but no treatment could reverse the damage inflicted by the disease.
My sister underwent brainwave tests at a facility called Letchworth Village, where EEGs became part of her routine. Despite her bravery, she would often express feelings of something missing in her brain and ask me to check her skull for indentations, a heart-wrenching reflection of her inner turmoil. The effects of measles encephalitis left her permanently brain injured, affecting her ability to learn, interact socially, and comprehend her condition.
Throughout the years, my sister has drifted in and out of my life and our family’s life. She possesses an indomitable spirit but lacks the strategic thinking to navigate her challenges. Ironically, despite being eligible for social services, she rejects assistance, believing she is perfectly fine. This situation can be incredibly frustrating for those around her, yet it is a symptom of her illness.
I often wonder how different our lives would be if the measles vaccine had been available at that time. Would my sister have lived a life free from such hardships? Would our sibling relationship mirror the close bond my daughters share? Measles robbed us of normalcy, laughter, and shared memories—stealing the future we could have had.
Currently, I worry about my sister’s physical health, as she frequently falls, a condition likely linked to her brain injury. She remains vulnerable to those who would take advantage of her. My mother, seeking answers, returned to college in her 40s to study psychology, but she passed away a decade ago. My father, now memory-impaired and struggling financially, has outlived the emotional pain that haunted him regarding my sister’s condition.
My husband and I do our best to support her, but I am uncertain about what will happen if we can no longer do so. That is why I feel compelled to share our story—to raise awareness among parents who may be undecided about vaccinating their children. The realities of measles encephalitis and its life-altering consequences must be communicated, especially to pediatricians who have not witnessed its devastation firsthand.
As we address vaccine-preventable diseases, we must consider vaccination as a critical social issue on local, national, and global fronts. Otherwise, like my family, others may become victims of circumstances beyond their control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the story of my sister serves as a haunting reminder of the importance of vaccination. The absence of the measles vaccine not only altered the course of her life but also profoundly affected our family dynamic and future. To learn more about home insemination options, including the innovative cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo, visit our blog. For those seeking guidance on fertility, check out this fertility booster for men, as they are an authority on this topic. For more comprehensive information on fertility treatments, this resource on in vitro fertilization is invaluable.
Keyphrase: Measles vaccine impact
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