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James served at Camp Lejeune as a healthy young man but after leaving, his mental and physical health declined, and he couldn’t get any answers. After the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease became undeniable, James and his wife Kathleen began to realize that the murmurs of Camp Lejeune water contamination were true: James’ medical conditions and eventual Parkinson’s disease were due to past exposure to toxic water.
James was forced to come to terms with a devastating diagnosis and the realization of what the Government had hidden for years. Both were blows to the proud Marine who felt that “all they’re doing is waiting for me to die.” And it was true—the Government was stalling, waiting for James and others to give up and stop fighting for what they were owed. Thankfully, survivors like Kathleen won’t ever quit demanding answers.
The efforts of those affected by Camp Lejeune’s chemical exposure have been gaining momentum for decades, becoming a force for lasting change.
Latent Medical Conditions
Many former residents of Camp Lejeune were just entering adulthood when they were unknowingly exposed to the toxins in the water. The chemicals led to various diseases that wouldn’t be discovered until sometimes decades after leaving the base. Parkinson’s disease isn’t a typical diagnosis for 40-year-olds, but that’s exactly what was afflicting James. Others were falling ill with diseases that were not typical of people in this age group. Instead of helping their children navigate adulthood and enjoying retirement, these service members were spending time in cancer wards and counting the days until Parkinson’s took over completely.
Lasting Effects on Children
The young couples stationed at Camp Lejeune were ready to start families. But many children conceived or born on base didn’t survive past infancy and were laid to rest in Camp Lejeune’s baby cemetery. Those kids who grew into adults are feeling the effects of the toxins decades later. Cardiac birth defects cause significant impacts on their daily lives, and those who survived childhood cancers continue to struggle with the mental and physical fallout. Even children of military families who still seem healthy live in fear of what disease may lie in wait.
Changes in Healthcare
The time between Camp Lejeune residents’ chemical exposure and the onset of disease—a period known as latency—made diagnoses difficult, but that wasn’t the only element blocking sick veterans’ recovery. The information about contaminants the Government hid was key to getting faster diagnoses and treatments.
Thanks to advances in research, the medical community has learned better how to deal with the health impacts of Camp Lejeune water contamination. A world that once left James helpless to figure out why his mind and body were failing finally held the key to information to properly identify these latent conditions.
Breakthroughs in Scientific Research
Researchers began investigating the water at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s, work that continues 40 years later. The body of scientific research about diseases associated with Camp Lejeune is difficult for the Government to deny. And at last, families are getting answers to baffling medical conditions. Though the numbers are a bitter pill to swallow, mortality studies and incidence rate analysis have shown the impact of the Government’s negligence.
Long Roads to Recovery
It took the Government years to address the contaminated water on the base and even longer to notify anyone, allowing the issue to carry on and affect countless more individuals. Overcoming physical conditions tested the mettle of many, but regaining trust in the Government they served faithfully is a battle that continues today. Watching loved ones deteriorate due to diseases and experiencing progressive disorders has made the time following service at Camp Lejeune arduous. These struggles only strengthened the resolve of families who were forever changed by the Government’s choices.
Hardworking, dedicated advocates spurred the Camp Lejeune Justice Act—the final piece needed to expose a half-century of deceit. This monumental legislation opened the door for those harmed by chemical exposure at Camp Lejeune to demand accountability. Finally, the veterans and families the Government ignored for decades have the means to be heard.