The Story
Ross Wightman is a father, husband, son and friend. He is also the first Canadian to have his acquired COVID-19 vaccine injury certified by the federal government and be approved for compensation.
In April 2021, Ross’ world was flipped upside down. 10 days after his first, and only, dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine for COVID-19, Ross woke up paralyzed in the Kelowna General Hospital in British Columbia, Canada, and was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare condition that affects the nervous system. The condition can cause paralysis, muscle weakness, and even death.
Previously a pilot and real estate agent, Ross spent 67 days in hospital with full facial paralysis, partial arm/hand paralysis and complete paralysis from the waist down.
In May 2022, after a year of ongoing intensive physical therapy to regain partial, but limited, mobility, Ross received a letter from the Vaccine Injury Support Program, confirming that a medical review board has found a “probable causal association between the injury(ies) sustained and the vaccination.” The federal government launched the program in 2021 with the intention of compensating individuals with a “serious and permanent” injury from vaccination.
There have been 10 reports of individuals hospitalized with GBS within 30 days of a COVID-19 vaccine since December 2020. And while the statistics report that all have been discharged, the lasting effects for Ross continue.
Ross is unable to work. He requires special braces for his legs to be able to walk with assistance. He has no muscle or nerve movement or activity below his knees, no feeling in his feet and his hands remain curled resulting in challenges completing most tasks. Ross’ vision is impaired. Playing with his two sons, living an active lifestyle with his wife in the Okanagan Valley, travelling as a family; none of these activities are possible for Ross now.
While Ross remains hopeful and committed to his physiotherapy journey to regain as much mobility and function as possible, it’s impossible to quantify the physical, emotional and financial toll of his acquired vaccine injury on himself and his family.
As he moves forward, Ross wants to continue supporting his family and making a difference in the lives of those impacted by acquired brain and nervous system injuries.
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