In late February 1960, my sister, a vibrant and otherwise healthy child, was in the fourth grade in Rockland County, New York, when she contracted measles from a nearby classmate. This case was one among nearly 1,000 instances of uncomplicated measles recorded before the United States implemented its vaccination program in 1963. Tragically, for every 1,000 cases of measles, one could lead to a lifelong disability, and my sister became that one. On March 1, she was diagnosed with measles encephalitis, a condition that would change our lives forever.
As a young child of just six, I may not have fully comprehended the severity of her illness, but the impact was profound. Today, the mention of measles stirs deep emotions within me, particularly in a time when vaccine skepticism threatens herd immunity.
My sister was quickly admitted to the local hospital, slipping into a coma as the encephalitis wreaked havoc on her brain. The prognosis was dire. One doctor callously suggested to my mother, “Pretend she was hit by a car,” but my mother refused to lose hope and stood vigil by her side. While my father tried to manage work and the mounting medical bills, I was shuffled between neighbors, the house eerily quiet without the usual family bustle.
Then came a miracle: after five weeks, my sister awoke from her coma. Hospital regulations prevented me from visiting her, but my parents arranged for her to wave at me from a window. That wave, filled with determination, symbolized her fight for survival and the challenges that awaited her.
I don’t remember her return home clearly, but I do recall it being around Easter. I desperately wanted a pet rabbit, and my aunt suggested waiting for my sister to return from the hospital. I innocently blurted out, “My sister is never coming home,” a reflection of the emotional distance already created by her illness.
Initially, life resumed a semblance of normalcy. My sister returned to school, but the changes in her behavior and personality became apparent. She struggled with learning and became easily frustrated over trivial matters. My parents were at a loss, and while teachers offered sympathy, support was lacking.
My sister’s first seizure, reported to me as her “falling” while walking home from school, marked the beginning of a long battle with the consequences of measles encephalitis. As she navigated the tumultuous teenage years, she faced bullying and emotional turmoil. Although lifelong medications ultimately managed her seizures, no treatment could reverse the damage inflicted by the disease.
She underwent numerous tests, including electroencephalograms, in search of answers. Each visit to the testing center was a reminder of her ongoing struggle. My sister often expressed feeling as if part of her brain was missing, seeking reassurance from me that there were no indentations on her skull. Our experiences felt surreal, as if we were characters in a dark tale.
The impact of measles encephalitis left my sister with permanent cognitive impairments, social challenges, and a lack of awareness of her condition, known as anosognosia. Throughout her life, she has drifted in and out of our family’s life, exhibiting a fierce determination but lacking the strategies to navigate her challenges. Ironically, while she qualifies for social services, her belief that she is not disabled prevents her from accepting help.
As I reflect on my sister’s life, I often ponder how different things might have been if the measles vaccine had been available when she was a child. Would we have shared the kind of close relationship that I see between my daughters today? The measles epidemic robbed us of that sibling bond, laughter, and the precious memories that should have been ours.
Currently, I worry for her physical safety, as she frequently falls, likely due to her brain injury. My mother, frustrated and seeking solutions, even returned to college in her 40s to study psychology before passing away a decade ago. My father, who lives nearby, grapples with his own memory issues and the emotional toll of my sister’s condition.
My husband and I are committed to supporting my sister as long as we can, but the future remains uncertain. Therefore, I have made it my mission to share my sister’s story, speaking out to parents and healthcare professionals about the importance of measles vaccination. It is crucial to recognize that vaccine-preventable diseases are a societal issue that warrants our attention at all levels.
By advocating for vaccination, we can prevent others from enduring the heavy burden that my family has faced. This is a call to action for everyone to understand the irreplaceable value of immunization in safeguarding our children and communities.
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In conclusion, the importance of vaccination cannot be underestimated. My sister’s life is a testament to the potential consequences of preventable diseases, and I urge everyone to recognize the irrefutable benefits of immunizing all eligible children.