January 2018 - Teen Who Suffered Devastating Health Problems After Vaccine Denied Payment
A teenager who suffered serious health problems after receiving the swine flu vaccination was refused a DWP payout after being told she does not meet the disability criteria.
Triggering years of health problems, Gabrielle Williams was 11 when she was given the vaccination in January 2010.
In the following months, mum Tina was continually taking her daughter to the doctors after she began falling asleep and complaining of being constantly tired.
Throughout her high school years, Gabrielle was sick and only after four years of fighting for a diagnosis, she was diagnosed with narcolepsy – a rare long-term brain disorder that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at inappropriate times.
Her brain is unable to regulate sleeping and waking patterns normally, which can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, sleep paralysis and night time hallucinations.
Gabby, now 19, also has cataplexy – temporary loss of muscle control resulting in collapse and paralysis, often in response to emotions such as laughter and anger.
A cataplexy attack can be terrifying as Gabby’s body is literally paralysed and although she may be still able to see and hear, she cannot move or communicate, the Crewe Chronicle reports.
The 19-year-old, who dreamed of being a paramedic, now has to take a cocktail of medication, will never drive and has to be under constant supervision and care in case she has an attack.
The family, who are currently in a legal battle for medical compensation after a link was established from having the vaccine, also applied for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.
This provides a one-off, tax-free lump sum payment of £120,000 which is not compensation but designed to aid the present and future financial burdens of the vaccinated person and their family.
However, they were left devastated after the DWP refused the application.
Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/teenage-girl-who-suffered-devastating-11736774