In a recent interview, Dr. Joel Wallskog, a retired orthopedic surgeon and founder of React19.org, shared his personal experience with COVID vaccine injury and his mission to support and advocate for others in similar situations. This blog post highlights Dr. Wallskog’s inspiring journey, shedding light on the challenges faced by vaccine-injured individuals and the urgent need for recognition and reform in the compensation process.
Dr. Joel Wallskog, a respected orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of medical practice, received the Moderna COVID vaccine in December 2020. However, shortly after the vaccination, he began experiencing unusual symptoms that eventually led to his early retirement. Numbness, pins-and-needles sensations, and electrical sensations down his legs were the initial signs. Despite medical examinations ruling out neck issues, his condition continued to worsen.
Dr. Wallskog’s condition rapidly deteriorated, culminating in a sudden loss of mobility in his legs while attending to a patient. After seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, a demyelinated lesion on his spinal cord. Despite undergoing treatments such as steroids and IV immune globulin, his condition did not improve. This devastating vaccine injury forced him to make the difficult decision to retire early from his beloved career as an orthopedic surgeon.
Motivated by his own experience and the stories of countless others who had been abandoned after suffering vaccine injuries, Dr. Wallskog established React19.org. This nonprofit organization operates as a lifeline for vaccine-injured individuals, offering financial grants, networks of support, and educational initiatives across the United States.
React19.org recognizes the financial burden faced by vaccine-injured individuals due to uncovered medical expenses. To alleviate this burden, the organization provides crucial financial grants. With an average grant of $6,800, React19.org has already disbursed approximately $562,000 to 81 recipients. These grants serve as a lifeline for those grappling with ongoing medical costs, offering hope and support in times of distress.
React19.org understands the challenges vaccine-injured individuals face, particularly in medical settings. To combat the gaslighting and lack of understanding often encountered, React19.org has established various networks of support. These networks connect vaccine-injured individuals with empathetic professionals, including healthcare providers, mental health experts, and spiritual guides. By fostering these networks, React19.org ensures that vaccine-injured individuals receive the validation, empathy, and comprehensive care they deserve.
React19.org is dedicated to promoting education and awareness surrounding vaccine injuries. Through informative webinars for both patients and healthcare providers, the organization disseminates accurate and science-based knowledge about vaccine adverse events and their complexities. By empowering individuals with accurate information, React19.org aims to ensure that people can make informed decisions about COVID vaccines and understand the potential risks associated with them.
One of React19.org’s primary goals is advocating for reform in the compensation process for vaccine injuries. Dr. Wallskog and his team tirelessly lobby politicians and push for the passage of a bipartisan bill that supports vaccine-injured individuals. Additionally, React19.org collaborates with investigations into federal health agencies, sharing crucial evidence and recordings of interactions with high-ranking officials. Through their advocacy network, React19.org aims to provide personalized help and support to marginalized individuals navigating the aftermath of vaccine injuries.
Dr. Wallskog’s journey highlights the significant challenges vaccine-injured individuals encounter when seeking compensation. The current compensation system, such as the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), has stringent requirements for causation and offers limited benefits, making it difficult for many individuals to receive adequate compensation. Furthermore, the CICP’s narrow scope neglects the prevalence of neurological complications associated with COVID vaccines, despite evidence and testimonials indicating their existence.
The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) plays a vital role in documenting and tracking vaccine injuries. However, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness and transparency of the VAERS reporting process. Some individuals, including healthcare professionals, face obstacles when trying to report vaccine injuries through VAERS, and there have been instances of repercussions for doing so. Additionally, the lack of an ICD10 code specifically for COVID vaccine injuries hinders research and data analysis, impeding efforts to understand the full extent of vaccine-related adverse events.
Dr. Joel Wallskog’s interview and his organization, React19.org, exemplify the resilience and determination needed to advocate for vaccine injury recognition and compensation reform. Through financial assistance, networks of support, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, React19.org offers hope and support to vaccine-injured individuals. Driven by his personal experience, Dr. Wallskog’s journey serves as an inspiration to others, rallying support for comprehensive compensation reform and promoting a society that values the well-being and care of all its members. By raising awareness, offering assistance, and pushing for change, React19.org aims to ensure that vaccine-injured individuals receive the recognition, justice, and support they deserve.
