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‘It’s Embryonical. I Was Basically Born With It.’
The United States just marked the 40th anniversary of the end to the Vietnam War.
Thousands of Americans carry physical or psychological scars from that conflict, including the children of those who served.
But not all of them are recognized when it comes to survivor benefits. A Santa Barbara woman is battling to change that; her life depends on it.
Dozens of people gathered on a Sunday back in April during a Shaman ceremony, celebrating the life of Emilee Garfield, recently diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.
Normally, these types of ceremonies are held after someone dies. But Garfield has beaten the odds for 39 years.
“I feel like … healthy,” said Garfield, who teaches yoga and Pilates for a living. “I don’t feel like I’m dying of cancer. But I had all the signs.”
The signs go all the way back to the tender age of 4.
“Rabdomyosarcoma,” Garfield said. “It effects children in their first year of life and it talks about the cells that develop in six-eight weeks of embryo. So, it’s embryonical. I was basically born with it.”
My father was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Also he is a Gulf War Veteran. I have so many illnesses. I have more symptoms from agent Orange than my fathèr. Also when dad came back from the Gulf War my mother ended up with lupus and I fibromyalgia. I want Monsanto’s doors shut forever. I also know after agent Orange was banned Monsanto changed the name and sold agent Orange to feed stores.
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My father died in 1989. All 3 of his daughters are sick. My oldest sister passed away at 41 due to her illness. My little sister and I suffer everyday. With very similar ailments. I just want to know what gene needs to be tested for. Because if there’s a reason for Lupus and seizures and other Autoimmune disease. At least we could have closure and turn then chapter in our lives. Also for my mother could have the answer she so desperately needs. We don’t care about any money. My dad served his country. Where there is war there is always casualties. We put on our soldiers hat and toughen up. That was always my dad’s message.
So very sorry for delayed response. This is the only info I have that will answer your question>>>3) Is there any genetic testing for Agent Orange dependents?
Generational victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure were not exposed first hand or directly so getting a body burden test would not be helpful. Even those who were exposed initially did not show any dioxin in their blood. The reason is that as time passes dioxin is eventually stored in the body fat.
However, some children of Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange, who provided us with health information, have had genetic testing because they were diagnosed with a rare disease or a unexplained disease. The cases we are familiar with have all found a mutated gene. Mutated genes can be linked to chemical exposure.
Testing of this type is available but very expensive. There arenât any programs or funding that we are aware of either. The usual process is as described above.
Our research tells us that body burden testing is the least expensive way to find out how much dioxin you might have been exposed to. If you werenât exposed yourself then âBody Burdenâ testing will not be helpful to you. If you have lived in Vietnam you might benefit from such a test or if you have been exposed directly yourself.
Here is another link where you can find more helpful information>>>https://lovme.org/?s=important+links+for+children+of+veterans+exposed+to+agent+orange