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

regansqueen

22 Oct 200902:01

Summary

TLDRDesiree 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.

Outlines

00:00

😢 Rare Neurological Disorder After Flu Shot

Desiree Jennings, a 25-year-old former cheerleader, is featured in this segment of the video script. She suffers from a rare neurological disorder that has left her with uncontrollable muscle contractions, making it difficult for her to walk without jerky movements. However, she can walk backwards normally. The disorder, diagnosed as dystonia, was triggered just 10 days after she received a seasonal flu shot. Desiree's condition affects her daily life significantly, as she has to navigate stairs and other simple tasks in reverse. The video script includes a visit to Desiree's home in Ashburn, Virginia, where her husband Brendan is also present, and it shows her running with a normal stride, which is free from spasms. Despite the lack of a known cure, Desiree finds solace in running, which is the only activity that provides relief from her condition.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cheerleader

A cheerleader is a person who performs chants, dances, and gymnastics to entertain and encourage a sports team, especially at American football or basketball games. In the video, Desiree Jennings is described as a 'beautiful cheerleader,' which is significant as it contrasts with her current condition and highlights the impact of her disorder on her previous active and vibrant life.

💡Neurological disorder

A neurological disorder is any disorder that affects the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. In the script, Desiree is said to have a 'rare neurological disorder' that affects her ability to walk normally, emphasizing the severity and uniqueness of her condition.

💡Dystonia

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that lead to abnormal postures or repetitive movements. The script mentions that Desiree was diagnosed with dystonia, which is the central theme of the video as it details how this disorder has drastically changed her life.

💡Seasonal flu shot

A seasonal flu shot is a vaccine that helps protect against the influenza virus, which changes with the seasons. The video script indicates that Desiree's dystonia was 'triggered 10 days after she got a seasonal flu shot,' suggesting a possible link between the vaccination and the onset of her disorder.

💡Uncontrollable muscle contractions

Uncontrollable muscle contractions refer to the involuntary tightening and relaxation of muscles, which can cause abnormal movements or postures. The script describes Desiree's 'jerking and twisting' as a result of these contractions, illustrating the physical challenges she faces due to her dystonia.

💡Passing out

Passing out, medically known as syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. In the video, it is mentioned that Desiree 'started with me not being able to eat without passing out,' indicating the initial symptoms that led to the discovery of her disorder.

💡Running

Running is a form of exercise that involves moving at a fast pace by using one's legs in an extended manner. Interestingly, the script notes that Desiree 'runs with a normal stride,' which is a stark contrast to her inability to walk normally, and it becomes a coping mechanism for her disorder.

💡Spasms

Spasms are sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that can be painful and limit movement. The video describes the 'spasms' that Desiree experiences when she stops running, highlighting the specific triggers for her dystonic symptoms.

💡No known cure

A condition with 'no known cure' implies that there is currently no medical treatment that can completely resolve the disorder. The script states that there is 'no known cure' for dystonia, emphasizing the chronic and potentially lifelong nature of Desiree's condition.

💡Flu shots and discouragement

The phrase 'flu shots and discouragement' refers to the concern that Desiree's case might lead people to be hesitant about receiving flu vaccinations. The script mentions that 'doctors say what happened to Desiree should discourage people from getting flu shots,' which raises ethical and public health considerations.

💡Relief

Relief in this context refers to a reduction in the intensity of symptoms or a feeling of reassurance. The video script describes running as 'the only thing you have left' for Desiree, indicating that it provides her some relief from the constant struggle with her disorder.

Highlights

Desiree Jennings, a 25-year-old cheerleader, has a rare neurological disorder that affects her walking.

She can walk backwards normally but walking forward causes twisting, jerky movements.

Doctors diagnosed her with dystonia, a one-in-a-million disorder, 10 days after she got a seasonal flu shot.

Dystonia causes uncontrollable muscle contractions, making simple tasks like eating and walking difficult.

Desiree has to go up and down stairs backwards due to the danger of walking forward.

An unusual aspect of her condition is that she can run with a normal stride without spasms.

When Desiree runs, her speech also becomes normal, unlike when she stops.

The disorder was triggered by the flu shot, but Desiree encourages people to continue getting vaccinated.

There is no known cure for dystonia, the rare neurological disorder Desiree is living with.

Desiree's husband, Brendan, supports her daily life as she navigates the challenges of dystonia.

A home video shows Desiree as a beautiful bride when she married Brendan two years ago.

A photo captures Desiree's training as a cheerleader for the Washington Redskins before her diagnosis.

Doctors warn that Desiree's case should not discourage people from getting flu shots despite the rare side effect.

Running has become a relief and the only thing Desiree has left that allows her some normalcy.

The story of Desiree Jennings is shocking the nation with its heartbreaking and rare nature.

Despite her condition, Desiree remains positive and is an inspiration to many.