Desiree Jennings, a former Redskins cheerleader Gets Dystonia From Swine Flu Vaccine

Summary

Desiree Jennings, a 25-year-old former cheerleader, now struggles with dystonia, a rare neurological disorder affecting one in a million, which she developed 10 days after receiving a flu shot. Her condition causes uncontrollable muscle spasms, making normal walking dangerous, yet she can run and talk normally. Despite the lack of a cure, Desiree finds solace in running, which temporarily alleviates her symptoms, highlighting her resilience in the face of adversity.

Takeaways

• 😢 Desiree Jennings, a 25-year-old cheerleader, is suffering from a heartbreaking condition that has shocked the nation.
• 🚶‍♀️ She has a rare neurological disorder that prevents her from walking without twisting and jerky movements, but she can walk backwards normally.
• 🏥 Doctors have diagnosed her with dystonia, a one-in-a-million condition that was triggered 10 days after she received a seasonal flu shot.
• 🤯 The disorder started with Desiree being unable to eat without passing out, highlighting the severity of her condition.
• 🏠 A visit to Desiree's home in Ashburn, Virginia, reveals the challenges she faces in her daily life, including going up and down stairs backwards.
• 🏃‍♀️ An unusual aspect of her disorder is that she can run with a normal stride, but spasms occur when she stops.
• 🗣️ While running, Desiree can speak normally, which is a stark contrast to her condition when she is not in motion.
• 📅 Desiree's dystonia was diagnosed after she got a flu shot on August 23rd, and the symptoms appeared ten days later.
• 🤔 There is no known cure for dystonia, leaving Desiree and others with the disorder without a clear path to recovery.
• 👩‍⚕️ Doctors suggest that Desiree's case should not discourage people from getting flu shots, indicating that her situation is extremely rare.
• 🎶 Running has become a form of relief for Desiree, as it is the 'only thing she has left' that allows her to move without the debilitating effects of her disorder.

Q & A

Who is Desiree Jennings?

Desiree Jennings is a 25-year-old former cheerleader whose story of a rare neurological disorder has shocked the nation.

What medical condition does Desiree have?

Desiree has a rare neurological disorder called dystonia, which was triggered 10 days after she received a seasonal flu shot.

How does Desiree's dystonia affect her daily life?

Desiree's dystonia causes her to have jerky and uncontrollable movements, making simple tasks like walking forward dangerous. She can, however, walk and run backwards without issue.

What is unique about Desiree's ability to move when she has dystonia?

Unlike her usual jerking and twisting movements, Desiree can run with a normal stride and even speak normally while running.

What is the connection between Desiree's flu shot and her development of dystonia?

Doctors have diagnosed that Desiree's dystonia was triggered 10 days after she received a seasonal flu shot, although the exact causality is not specified in the script.

How does Desiree manage her condition in terms of mobility?

Desiree manages her condition by walking and running backwards, which allows her to move without the spasms associated with her disorder.

What is the current medical understanding of Desiree's condition?

Dystonia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable muscle contractions. There is no known cure for it.

What does Desiree's husband Brendan think about her condition?

The script does not provide a direct quote from Brendan, but it can be inferred that he is supportive, as he is mentioned to be present during the interview at their home.

How does Desiree cope with the emotional impact of her condition?

Desiree finds relief in running, which is described as 'the only thing you have left,' suggesting it provides her with a sense of normalcy and escape from her condition.

What is the medical community's stance on flu shots in relation to Desiree's case?

Doctors suggest that what happened to Desiree should not discourage people from getting flu shots, indicating that her case is extremely rare and not a common side effect.

What is the emotional tone of the script regarding Desiree's story?

The script has a sympathetic and supportive tone, highlighting Desiree's resilience and her ability to find solace in running despite her condition.