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The Greater Good Movie

a documentary film about vaccines in America

When the TDaP booster shot changed everything

August 5, 2012,

When I finally woke up, I had an EKG on my chest, an IV in my arm, and an oxygen mask on my face.The associate dean of my school was next to me and told me what had happened. I couldn’t believe it. I could barely talk or move, and I thought there was a chance that I was dreaming. When I was in the ICU, I had nurses keep asking me who I was and when I was born and all of these things. During that time, I was drifting in and out of seizures and they were worried that I might have brain damage. The neurologist came up to me and had me do strength tests where I had to lift my arms and legs and push them against their hands. The first three days, my only goal was to just lift my arms and legs until I could touch their hands.

The nurses came to me and said that I was going to have an MRI to see if something was in my brain. Part of me didn’t want to believe that a tumor was there, but another part was hoping that there might be something, because if it was, then at least they could cut it out and my misery might stop. Instead, it came back normal, yet again. I was actually very unhappy about it, because then it was just more proof that this was a symptom of damage caused by the vaccine.Next, the neurologists hooked me up to an EEG monitoring unit to see if they could record abnormal brain activity. This would be my third EEG in 5 years. My previous 2 had come back normal just like the MRI’s I’d taken and I didn’t think that they’d find anything.. however, this time was very different.

The first night, I had 9 recorded seizures, the second night 7, and the third Night/day I went catatonic/static. The scariest thing was, I had no idea any of this was happening. All I knew was that every time I woke up a doctor was there asking me who I was, where I was, the date, and where I lived.Then, on Friday I woke up again to these same questions. I knew who I was and where I was, but when I was asked the date, I told them it was Thursday. That is then I was told it was Friday. The neurologist asked me if I knew who he was and I said that I hadn’t seen him before. He then told me that he had been with me all Thursday and that I had been static.

At that point, all I thought of was, Oh My God. This neurologist had pulled me out of static with a toxic dose of a powerful anticonvulsant medication called Dilantin. Because of this, I couldn’t see strait, I talked with broken English, and I couldn’t walk. When I was given a cognitive test, I failed miserably. My IQ was shit, and yet I felt pretty optimistic. I found out I was on the same drug as the one given to sedate the mental patients in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. However, for me, it was being used in its appropriate context to control seizures. Regardless, it had the same effect and I was actually in a pretty good mood the entire time. Yet, every time the doctor saw me that week, he’d leave the room and tell the nurse right outside the door that I was still toxic and to keep lowering the dose of medication.

My IQ was worthless but my hearing was fine.  I knew I was toxic, but I didn’t care. I also accrued over $193,000 in medical expenses. The only thing keeping from going bankrupt was health insurance. Sometimes I think the ones who should be suing the vaccine companies are the insurance providers. Over the next 5 days, as they lowered the dosage of the drug, my eyesight, speech, and cognition came back without having any more more seizures. The next week, I finally left the neurology unit for inpatient rehab and was discharged from there in 3 days.

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Reviews

THE GREATER GOOD may be the most important vaccine film ever made. Finally, we hear the stories of families adversely affected by vaccines told in a compelling and compassionate way. Using film as a medium for social change, THE GREATER GOOD informs, educates and calls to action. It is documentary film at its finest.
Peggy O'Mara
There are many physicians who are witnessing an increasing number of children with complex inflammatory & autoimmune conditions, and are beginning to suspect that vaccines may be playing more of a contributing role in the development of these conditions, than what they were previously led to believe. Nonetheless, these physicians don’t have a safe forum in which they can discuss their concerns. This film, “THE GREATER GOOD,” may be the appropriate medium through which physicians can begin to open up the next phase of dialogue about their growing concerns of vaccine safety & efficacy.
Dr. Larry Palevsky
This film captures the essence of the vaccine debate: The benefits of vaccines for individuals as well as for society versus the very small but very real risks of a severe vaccine reaction. Everyone involved in the vaccine issue, from doctors and policymakers to every new parent, must see THE GREATER GOOD
Dr. Bob Sears
Vaccines: It is such an interesting topic, I’ve never experienced such a polarizing force in conversations or relationships.
Tony Edwards
THE GREATER GOOD documentary provides real insights about the polarizing vaccine debate. The one size fits all, cradle to grave approach regarding vaccines is a short sighted crusade coordinated by the government and pharmaceutical companies. If we have learned anything regarding medical treatments, it’s that informed consent be the only mandatory requirement.
Dr. Joe Mercola
THE GREATER GOOD is a truly important film, one that finally addresses the nuances of the great vaccine debate of our times. It is a moving and inspiring work that should be required viewing for health care practitioners and families interested in open and honest dialogue about immunizations and public health.
Dr. Larry Rosen
There are severe consequences due to our current vaccine policy and schedule, many of which are simply dismissed as coincidence or diagnosed improperly. These damages cannot be swept under the rug, and THE GREATER GOOD documentary highlights several powerful personal stories of vaccine tragedies to bring increased awareness to this important issue.
Dr. Joe Mercola
Wow. I was so riveted. The family stories were so heart wrenching. It was so well done. I hope this film is watched by many parents.
Dr. Bob Sears
Electrifying.
Jessica

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About Us

Leslie Manookian

Leslie Manookian
Writer / Producer

Kendall Nelson

Kendal Nelson
Director / Producer

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