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Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count:100
KEVADON
Life is made up of challenges, isn’t it? What more can a person do than play the hand she’s been dealt?
My mother often spoke of the vicious morning sickness she suffered during her pregnancy in the 1960’s.
“My doctor called it a miracle drug,” she said with tears streaming. “One little pill cured my nausea.”
You would think I’d be used to the gawking stares. Born with fingers protruding from my shoulders, I resigned myself to the merry-go-round of prosthetics and wheelchairs a long time ago.
Nonetheless, I dream of winning a foot race.
If only I had feet.
*
*
*
Some may remember the Thalidomide scandal in the UK in the 1960’s. In England the drug was called Destival. Taken by pregnant women for morning sickness, it caused horrendous birth defects. It’s only recently come to light that, while the drug wasn’t approved by the FDA in the States the Wm. S. Merrell Co. distributed it.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
That’s interesting. I didn’t know Thalidomide was also used in the US. It was a terrible tragedy and a scandal.
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Dear Neil,
It seems these US victims are finding each other in greater number than thought. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have a certain understanding and sympathy for some of the anti-vaxxers. This was a side-effect that no-one would know to test for. Today’s vaccines, and their protocols, are much better researched and controlled – and the paranoia that they might contain 5G chips??! 🙄
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Dear Archon,
Oy, the paranoia is getting to me. I don’t worry that I have micro chips running through my veins as a result of the vaccine. Nor to I believe my DNA has been altered. I do understand the apprehension some anti-vaxxers have but I’ve no patience for some of the outrageous. There’s a lot behind the chilling Thalidomide story. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes I remember my mother was offered it but did not take….a huge scandal, one of a few we must remind ourselves, but that one really so unacceptable.
Well told in such a wry style…
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Dear Ain,
I’m so glad your mother declined the offer. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember those days well. An abhorrence such as that fuels much of the anti-intervention sentiment of today. Emotively expressed, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Sadly the today’s hysteria and Thalidomide is like comparing watermelons to pecans, yes? Let us not forget the polio vaccines. Ah well. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s such an awful thing. Worse its events like this that make current events battlegrounds. I mean if your family suffered as in your story why would you go get a vaccination. Good story, Rochelle.
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Dear Mason,
Oh dear. I hope I haven’t opened a kettle of worms with this story. It’s NOT my intent to incur a debate over the current vaccination situation. At any rate, Thalidomide was a terrible drug. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Please delete my comment if you think it’ll cause issues. I dont want that to happen either.
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I think I’ll leave it, Mason. The die’s been cast I’m afraid and if I delete yours I’ll be deleting a plethora of others, I think. It just didn’t occur to me when I posted this story that’s where people would go. There’s no comparison. Sigh. Thank you for the offer, but I’ll just let it stand and follow it through.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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OKay, well. I promise not to say anything more so hopefully it wont spiral too far.
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I remember. “Thalidomide Babies.” It was such a nightmare, and news began spreading that the drug was producing horrible birth defects, women were terrified if they had taken the drug. Imagine going through the next six months or so wondering if you had created a child who would never be “normal.” As I recall, the drug was removed from the market, but not in time to save SO many kids!
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Dear Linda,
I, too remember the stories. Sadly, the US babies remained hidden from the public view for decades. I wonder if there were any normal babies born to women who took the drug. Having had nine months of constant nausea with my third child, I can’t blame anyone wanting to take a pill to get rid of it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t remember, either, Rochelle. I just remember thinking I was glad the drug was no longer available. I was fortunate–my nausea was usually gone before the second trimester–but it was awful while it lasted. I could never seem to throw up. It just sat there and sat there. . .
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Never believe those trust the science liars. It’s always about money and power. It’s a good thing people finally got something done about it.
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Dear Larry,
I agree that it’s a good thing something is finally being done to compensate these children, now adults. However, I didn’t post this story to start a debate about science. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’ true but my point is it’s never perfect or exact so things will happen..Shalome
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Such a sad reality. I remember several episodes of “Call the Midwife” that covered this topic very well. So heart wrenching. Gonna be hard to follow that one
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Dear Bear,
Call the Midwife did a fabulous job of jogging our memories. I do remember the magazine articles back in the 1960’s when I was a kid. Although at the time it seemed to be England’s problem, not ours. However it’s come to light over the past few years that our country kept it under wraps better. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I can only imagine how much a suffering-from-morning-sickness mother would jump at the chance for relief. It is a horrible bit of history what resulted from this. I didn’t realise it had crossed the pond either. Now I’m curious to search for Canada – though I’d be surprised if we didn’t, us being a commonwealth country and all.
I love how you brought this piece of history to light.
Shalom and lotsa understanding love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’ve watched quite a few documentaries and read some articles. They do mention Canada, but I can’t remember to what degree. Australia was also greatly affected by the tragedy. Interesting to note the scientist who discovered the drug was a former Nazi.
With nine months of nausea with baby number three I totally understand any mother wanting a miracle drug to make it stop. Thank you re my story.
Shalom and lotsa defect-free hugs,
Rochelle
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I would have been surprised for Canada to be exempt from this. Australia, I am not surprised; they, too, being part of the Commonwealth.
Oh boy. My sister, too…
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Just sneaking in a comment here; my main one to follow: there were approximately 100 to 400 babies with “birth defects” in Canada. I’m not sure what Canada has done re compensation. Now, I will butt out, and leave my comment below.
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Thanks, Lorraine! I was going to look it up and now I don’t have to 🙂
I hope they were properly compensated…
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Yes, we had it in Canada. My cousin’s wife in Edmonton was given a prescription for it. Knowing their funds were desperately low, she “accidentally” dropped the scrip on her way home from the doctor’s office. Her greatest loss ever. 🙂
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An important story, as always well told. It was a horrible tragedy, in Germany also. Here, it was called Contergan and recommended for pregnant women as a safe headache remedy.
I will throw my two € into the debate: It is a good thing to be critical of Big Pharma. However, the criticism has to be rational and based on facts. That means that people need to make the effort to learn about scientific procedure and not just quote what fits their worldview. Todays quarrels are products of fear, myth, fantasy, and also greed and power-hunger of a different kind.
Apart from that I find it important because people with disabilities even today are ‘unseen’-and that has to change.
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Dear Gabi,
Actually the drug started in Germany. I can’t imagine the insurmountable guilt doctors must’ve experienced. Thank you re my story and for your magnificent comment re today’s debate. I’m fully vaccinated, boostered and weary of it all.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m weary, too. Didn’t have my booster yet since I’ve been vaccinated twice with the Astra (Oxford) vaccine (too old for the mRNA cross-vaxx at the time) and have to wait til the end of November for my booster.
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Heart breaking and well-written, Rochelle. As someone who suffered from another approved-but-since-withdrawn drug, I know how much it rocks your faith in our incredible and miracle-making medical systems.
J
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Dear Jen,
I’m sorry to hear that you suffered from a drug…any drug. I understand. Thank you so much re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A well told story that brings to light that terrible time when so many babies were affected. We all need to remember the incredible life saving drugs that have eliminated so many diseases and saved so many lives and not get paranoid about all vaccines.
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Dear Jan,
Thalidomide was a terrible tragedy. It was also not well researched. That being said, I agree about the paranoia. Leave us not forget polio. Thanks, m’luv
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If this one example of a history of extreme examples doesn’t convince anyone of the evils of Big Pharma, I don’t know what will. Big Pharma is one example of the sickness of our “new and improved” civilization. I can’t imagine being a child born from this evil practice or a parent, blaming themselves for wanting relief from nausea 😦
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Dear Lisa,
It is a blot on history, isn’t it? It’s appalling how Big Pharma gouges the patient. I’m on a medication that, were it not for my military insurance, would cost a fortune…at least 10 times (no exaggeration) what I pay for it.
Sadly the women who took Thalidomide for nausea had no idea of the consequences. I imagine a few doctors suffered the guilt as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, it truly is. You’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Jesus!
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Indeed, Nobbin.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I missed using Thalidomide by only a year or two. I was given something else in 1971 for gestational nausea, from which I suffered throughout the nine months of each of my four pregnancies.
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Dear Liz,
I was given Bendectin with my second one in 1978. It was taken off the market for potential birth defects. It helped the nausea. Fortunately it didn’t cause my son any problems. I had nausea for nine months with my third, with no relief. Just toughed it out.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
In the early ’60’s my Mom was given something to help her nausea by a doctor who had newly arrived from England and Mom miscarried. I wonder now if that was due to thalidomide. She never told me the name. Funny, how horrors like this that affect hundreds of thousands of people are swept swiftly under the rug by corporations and governments. The companies change their names, their executives face no charges, and life goes on until the next atrocity. God bless the many who continue to suffer the effects of such crimes to this day. They should be compensated voluntarily by these pharmaceuticals.
In one hundred words, you broke our hearts. That’s some storytelling.
Shalom u’vrakha,
Dora
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Dear Dora,
It sounds like your mom dodged a bullet in the 60’s. I’d be willing to bet the drug was Thalidomide. Sadly the valiant survivors are still fighting to be compensated. It shouldn’t even be a question, should it?
Thank you re my story. There’s no higher compliment a writer can get than knowing her story evoked strong emotion.
Shalom u’vrakha,
Rochelle
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Oy, My Dearest Rochelle,
I quote from Stephen King’s, “On Writing.”
“If you intend to write as truthfully as you can, your days as a member of polite society are numbered, anyway.” Stir the pot. It’s fun!
Also, this reminds me of the seventh stanza of the song, “We didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel…
“Little Rock, Pasternak, Mickey Mantle, Kerouac
Sputnik, Chou En-Lai, “Bridge on the River Kwai”
Lebanon, Charles de Gaulle, California baseball
Starkweather homicide, children of thalidomide”
Many thanks to you for this, and to all the dedicated peeps in HHS and its agencies as they work hard to prevent such catastrophic bungling.
Peace (except when whipping up trouble) 🙂
Bill
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Dear Bill,
It’s a story that needs to be told and retold, isn’t it? The fire is definitely still burning on and on and on…. A few more verses could be added to song!
Thank you for your encouraging words to spur me on to more stirring. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Go for it, Rochelle. You’ve earned the right. I do wish Billy would write a contemporary sequel to it. “Fires of the Boomers,” maybe?
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Hi Rochelle,
It’s been awhile and I hope you’re going okay. I’ve been doing a lot of research and writing on the WWI soldiers, but am trying to get back into writing flash fiction as well. An Australian doctor William McBride blew the whistle on the effects of thalidomide, although the Australian Government was slow to let people know of the dangers causing unnecessary disability and heartache. a link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-47703344
My second cousin was born without a hand and I’m not sure whether than was agent orange or thalidomide.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
Nice to see you back. I guess it depends on how old your cousin is to determine whether it’s Thalidomide or Agent Orange. Both can cause birth defects. I once posted a story about the latter and a horrifying video of what it’s done to the post war babies in Vietnam.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Telling this story in the first person makes it very immediate and personal. Good writing, Rochelle
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Thank you so much for you sweet comments, dear Penny.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m rather amazed that you must have close scrutinized the image, to notice there is a wheel chair in it – and then let your imagination run so freely, unfortunately to a dark and lonely place. I know that initially I just was wondering how you made such a leap, but now I see. As for your story? Always some horror or such that prevails, blowing an ill wind, in this case, long-term. Your story, however, is written with sensitivity, and a respectful nod to the issue.
Shalom
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Dear WildChild,
Confession. I honestly didn’t see the wheelchair. I had this subject on my mind and the prompt seemed to fit. I’ve been binge watching (for a second time) Call the Midwife where they dealt so beautifully with the Thalidomide crises. This prompted me to search the internet to find out what happened to these deformed children. What I learned about the plight of these now adults seeking compensation from the drug companies made me weep. Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS You’ll find that I often go far afield from what’s actually in the photo. This time, I didn’t go as far as I thought. 😉
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okay, so this time, it was a “happy coincidence” 😂 The only reason I noticed it was because I magnified the image, seemed like something a bit “odd” in the frame – and then I saw it, so naturally, I thought you had too. Either way, the image inspires and points us off to explore – as do all the other things that infuse or are steeping in our brains …. once again, a very well written flash – even for as hard and horrifying the topic (I still can’t wrap my head around the Thalidomide crisis) …..
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Thanks, Rochelle, for this. I have a snippet of a memory as an adult somewhere in the mid-to late 1970s/early 190s of a thalidimide survivor. While I’ve lost the context (could be I took a class with her), I do clearly remember a young woman pulling her sock off one foot with the other. And then, picking up (somehow placed for her use) and putting a pen and another time a coloured pencil between her toes and writing and drawing, rather than use prosthetic arms (my online spell check doesn’t work, my apologies). I think these were uncomfortable and expensive. I was amazed then at her courage and her adaptability. Thanks for reminding me of her with this story. And again, sorry for my the length of my misspelt 10 cents worth. Now off to post my Friday Fictioneers story.
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Dear Lorraine,
Isn’t it amazing what a person can do to compensate? Thank you for your 10 cents. Always welcome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sad that so many lives were affected because of such negligence.
However, the miracle drug is the miraculous human spirit that makes us cope with all this…
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Dear Anita,
You’re so right. The miracle drug is the human spirit. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a heart-rending story. At the same time, what adorable kids. Thank you for sharing both.
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Dear Anne,
It’s not the first time I’ve shared a story on this subject. https://rochellewisoff.com/2012/06/08/wings/ And it might not be the last. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your original story is poignant and the comments certain add multi-flavored topings. As I said in my comment to Dale, a relative had a very close call with this drug, and since they only ever had the one child, we’re so thankful for that “lost” scrip. I did read once that the “clinical trials” testing the drug were a pretty haphazard affair with sloppy records.
I didn’t realize some anti-vaxxers feared deformities. I’ve heard a few health risks mentioned but what we hear from our anti- kin stems from different fears. Govt trying to control us all, etc. Since I’m not a subversive, tracking my activities would be a waste of someone’s time. 🙂
I don’t knock science. Having discovered that gr-gr-grandma, two of her children and father-in-law all died within three months circa Jan 1864 –one record says of smallpox– I’m very thankful for the cures science has given us for those one-time killers. I learned that there as strong resistance to smallpox vaccination for half a century, but it finally won out. In a perfect world gross human errors–and cover-ups– would never happen…and people wouldn’t fight so hard against advantageous changes.
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Dear Christine,
I didn’t know about the resistance to the smallpox vaccines. I’ve often wondered if there was the same resistance to polio vaccines. Two I’m grateful for.
Apparently, until recent years when US Thalidomide survivors found each other, the issue has been swept under the rug. It appears there were many more than the “handful” claimed in the past.
As you pointed out, if the government were putting nanos in my bloodstream as a means of tracking, they would be über bored. 😉
Thank you for such a wonderful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve watched docos on this nasty drug. For me, what is equally bad is the way children and adults with disabilities were treated back then. Terrible enough to be born with impairments… but with the right help, attitude, and resources most people can have a fulfilling life.
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Dear Tanille,
The documentaries are certainly eye-opening, aren’t they? I agree with you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There’s nothing I can, or want to add to all the comments before me, so I’ll change the subject and say that I’m sure your subject will win a race one day. The Paralympics once again proved it can be achieved in one form or another.
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Dear Keith,
What more can be said? Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do love the voice of the character in your story that reminds us of a horribly sad time in history. I remember it as well. I also love the beautiful faces in the photo. Very well written story, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
It wasn’t all that long ago, was it? I remember the Life magazine article when it hit the news stands. I was wasn’t quite ten. It had a profound effect on me. I never forgot. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A terrible and important reality for too many still, and yes, it was also distributed in the US (and elsewhere). Thank you for voicing what is so often looked away from or forgotten.
And, interestingly enough, the photo may have resonated in the realms of what’s not seen or spoken of … for look where it took mine … xoxo Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Sometimes one must shine the light in the dark corners. Thank you for your kind words,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Emet Ve’Tamim! xoxo Na’ama
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sometimes one wonders who to believe. doctors aren’t god. mistakes do happen.
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Dear Plaridel,
Doctors do make mistakes, don’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A terrible time and huge scandal. I suspected even before I Googled it that “Kevadon” was thalidomide.
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Dear Ali,
A rose by any other name…Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly comic. Nice twist on the prompt.
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Thank you, Susan.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh oh gosh. I never new this story. Oh how horrid.
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Horrid indeed, Laurie. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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heartbreaking, it’s sad that these kind of scandals are part of history. Nicely done Rochelle
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Dear Vartika,
History is littered with heartbreak, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Forgive me for skipping out this week. I was against a deadline. I needed to have my new regalia in some sort of working order for tomorrow. I know, I know, I should have had it done weeks ago. Fiddly thing this supply chain issue. Anyway, I’ll see y’all next week. Shabbot shalom, Bear
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Dear Bear,
There’s nothing to forgive. Life happens. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The day was awesome. My flute sang my soul perfectly. 🥰😃😃
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I so happy, Bear. I wish I couldn’t heard it. ❤
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Maybe next time, I’ll see if it can be recorded. 🙂
❤
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Such a shocking occurrence in medial history. Your quiet way of telling the story makes it all the more powerful. I didn’t know the drug was available in the States as well the UK.
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Dear Francine,
Apparently the drug made it around the world. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful storytelling, Rochelle. You bring home the fact that no matter how we start off in life, we all adapt the best we can and have our own hopes and dreams.
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Dear Mags,
It’s amazing what some can accomplish with the challenges they face, isn’t it? Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very shocking story. The perpetrators of such a crime are the worst criminals, deserving of no less than the death penalty.
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Dear Neel,
It is a sad and shocking story. No amount of settlement money can restore these people to what they should’ve been. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was such a tragic and shocking story. Thanks for sharing.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Some stories need to be shared and shared again, don’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, they do, Rochelle. You’re welcome. Shalom.
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