Under cover of night, someone tore down a sign on our property.
It’s happened about 20 times.
What awful message must be silenced?
It says: “React19 – Restoring HOPE for the Covid Vaccine-Injured.”
What’s wrong with our community, state, nation and the world, that we don’t respond to suffering with mercy?
Thankfully, the North Olympic Library System is different.
They came through when I requested the story of React19’s co-founder for their collection.
A British author, also vaccine-injured, collaborated with Brianne Dressen to tell her story as a clinical trial participant and that of React19, the volunteer-led nonprofit trying to fill the void for more than 36,000 Americans.
Although it’s challenging to read the cascade of events following her life-altering reaction, the book ends with a hopeful and unifying message.
This is not an anti-vax story. This is not a political story. It’s a human story that should be responded to with humanity, not censorship.
I got involved because a teacher we know nearly died and no one I contacted in public health or government will help fix the nonexistent safety net.
As a React19 volunteer, I’m humbled and broken and encouraged to be part of the grassroots movement to support those struggling to find hope amid wreckage and abandonment.
I put my sign back up and wrote this letter.
Please check out “Worth a Shot?” by Caroline Pover. It’ll make you weep.
And, if you still believe we’re all in this together, I hope you’re inspired to put mercy into action.
Kathy Zelenka
Port Angeles