Personal Stories


Callie Cares Means We Will Never Forget

Callie was considered a miracle baby. It took Katie and Craig Van Tornhout five years and four miscarriages before they finally welcomed their precious daughter Callie into their lives. However, their joy turned to heartache...


Two For Two Priceless Pertussis Protection Program

Today, I would like to honor two angels by the name of Carter and Brady. Carter was only 7 weeks old when he earned his wings on January 28th, 2010 and Brady...


Not So Marvelous Measles and Other Tragic Tales

My eleven year old daughter has a wonderfully imaginative sense of humor and loves telling fancy tales. This may explain why one of her favorite authors is Roald Dahl.  Just...


Inspired By a Meningitis Survivor

I typically look forward to the celebration of the New Year. It’s a time when I try to recommit myself to goals that will bring about positive changes in my...


My Daughter Got a Flu Shot And Still Got the Flu

Last week I received a call referring to what I jokingly called the “Holiday Illness Trifecta”. School administrators initiated the county-wide call to alert parents to three illnesses that were...


Fear and Funnies During our Family Flu Shots

I did it.  I finally did it.  I got all my kids their flu shots last week, despite the many obstacles we encountered along the way.  While it involved...


Increasing Pertussis Awareness Through Personal Stories

As her infant son Brady battled pertussis, Kathy shared her hopes and fears with her friends on Facebook.  Her brief, but heartfelt updates revealed the emotional rollercoaster she experienced during the weeks before she had...


He Would Have Been 33 Today

I received this email today from a friend and fellow vaccine advocate.  Her name is Frankie Milley and her personal story has inspired her public mission for many years.  I...


The "Greatest Story Never Told" is Now Revealed

It’s hard to deny that some people are easily influenced by anecdotal evidence.  This may be why some people fall victim to the enormous amounts of misinformation that exists on anti-vaccination websites.  And why stories...


One Meningitis Survivor Hopes to Inspire a Generation

One of my fondest memories from this summer was the time our family spent watching the Olympics together.  My children are each committed athletes themselves, so regardless of the...