Redskins cheerleader disabled by flu shot
 

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/loca..._shot_reaction

VideoPhotoDesiree Jennings
Regular Photo SizeWoman Disabled by Reaction to Flu ShotCelebs Reach Out to Desiree Jennings

There are new developments in the story FOX 5 first brought you…

Woman Disabled by Flu Shot Reaction

A few weeks ago, Desiree Jennings was training for a half …

Celebs Reach Out to Desiree Jennings
Local woman disabled by flu vaccine reaction
Updated: Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 7:37 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 15 Oct 2009, 6:07 PM EDT

Claudia Coffey
By CLAUDIA COFFEY/myfoxdc
WASHINGTON, D.C. - There are new developments in the story FOX 5 first brought you about a Redskins cheerleader left disabled by a seasonal flu shot. Now, Desiree Jennings is adding a boost of star power to her cause.

An organization founded by actors Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey is so touched by Desiree's story that they have reached out to offer not only words of encouragement, but the organization's support.

Desiree Jennings' struggle is getting worldwide attention.

"It's been unreal," Jennings told FOX 5. "I didn't think anyone would even care about my story. People are sitting there crying and I can't understand why."

•TO WATCH FOX 5'S ORIGINAL STORY ON DESIREE JENNINGS AND HER CONDITION, FOLLOW THIS LINK.
She first spoke to FOX 5 about a severe reaction she suffered after getting a seasonal flu shot. Now, both Fairfax Inova and Johns Hopkins say Desiree suffers from a rare neurological disorder as a result of the flu shot. The condition is called dystonia, and it affects every aspect of her ability to function. One day after our story aired, Generation Rescue, an organization founded by actors Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey , reached out to Desiree.

"They are extremely helpful," Desiree said. "They have a lot of doctors that deal with vaccine interactions, and they have sent us so many other stories similar to mine. Unfortunately a lot of theirs are with children, which is worse. I can understand it happening to an adult, but not a little child that hasn't had a chance to live their life and can't speak, so I want to speak. They can't, and I want to help them, too," says Jennings.

McCarthy's 7-year-old son Evan is autistic. She founded Generation Rescue along with actor Jim Carrey to educate people about ways to reverse autism. The organization is now raising awareness over the safety of vaccines including flu shots. Generation Rescue's President Stan Kurtz was so touched by Desiree's story, the organization is hoping to fly her to Los Angeles for treatment.

"And the story is, anyone that sees-- it is just so compelling, Jenny was crying over it," says Kurtz.

Kurtz also believes with the proper treatment, some of her symptoms may be reversible.

"Well, unfortunately we happen to be very good at handling vaccine injury. We've got a lot of doctors that have experience in doing that, so our doctors and our resources are completely available to her, and we're going do everything we can to give her a lot of options to, to help take care to help recover from this condition as best we can," says Kurtz.

For Desiree, it's a glimmer of hope and a chance at getting her life back.

"Get back to my normal life, but still have had a chance to warn people as well," says Jennings.

Still, the Centers for Disease Control says the seasonal flu vaccine is safe and recommends it to the general public. Desiree, in the meantime, wants to get her message out about her concerns over the safety of vaccines.

See I always knew there was a reason I didn't get flu shots.

Wonder where they injected her ..........

That's no bullshit. I WILL NOT get a flu shot. Just take extra vitamin D and it is every bit as effetive as a flu shot, without this kind of risk.

This kind of reaction happens maybe one in a BILLION times. And the saying that getting the flu shot gives you the flu is so much BS... any vaccine that is injected is a dead virus... it can not reproduce and make you sick... what happens is that it takes up to 2 weeks for your body to produce the antibodies to the virus. So if you are exposed to the virus prior to that, then you get the flu, and "the shot gave me the flu!!" Sorry, I don't mean to come off like a jerk, or jump on anybody... But I travel around giving flu shots to different companies here in town, and I hear that stuff all the time. You folks have a good night.

Maxwell

I don't get flu shots because I hate needles so I'm not getting any kind of shot I don't need.

Soooo, since it takes 2 weeks to work, then if you are not sick when you get this wonderous flu shot, you should quarantine yourself for that time period to ensure you don't run into the virus in question. Yeah, where is the line? I want to pay my 29 bucks for a shot now!

Now that sentiment i understand fine! Im not crazy about shots either, but the flu sucks!! last time i had that i was off work and in bed for about a week... that was alot of fun!! had a flu shot every year since then!! aside from the random uncontrolled shouting, im fine...

maxwell

so dont get it, i care...

when that happens, it means you basically got unlucky. Had you gotten the virus a week or two later you'd have no problem, but a day or two after the shot and youll get the flu. The shot didnt cause it, you were doomed by destiny to get the flu that year, the shot was just too late and was irrelevant.

That, or its a year where the CDC blew it and failed to identify the strain that would come over that year, which actually happened 2 or 3 years ago when the flu shot wasnt very effective simply because they guessed wrong.

Never had a flu shot.

Haven't died from the flu yet.

I'd like to give her neurologically screwed up butt a shot of pee.

Hey, this could cross to the Halloween costume thread: a white sheet over you, like a ghost, with a hole cut out and your schlong sticking through it, and on the sheet, you write, "FLU SHOT, FEMALES ONLY... TAKEN VAGINALLY OR ANALLY" with an arrow pointing towards your wanker. :)

Beats dressing up like sperm and being part of the Fallopian Swim team.

Sadly, I too am a big baby, so I try very hard to avoid interactions with needles.

Kept me away from Heroin I guess though...