Conversations with a Time Magazine’s Vaccine Scientist Hero of the Year 2021

Team Humanity Monday Messages of Hope #6

Below is my email to Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, Time Magazine’s Vaccine Scientist Heroes of the Year 2021, who wrote an article on June 11, 2024 about my encounter with her on February 3, 2022. In her article in STAT News titled "Empathy should guide responses to reported vaccine injuries," she ended her article with the following:

“There is a very low probability that I will ever again see the woman who told me about her vaccine injury. Although others may follow, her impact on me has been profound. I know that she represents thousands of other people in pain, and I and other vaccine scientists owe them all a good listen and advocacy on their behalf to learn more.”

Although the probability was very low, many serendipitous circumstances happened to make our connection a reality. First of all, I had to have the guts to ask the question to her in a crowded auditorium. Second, she had to continue to think about our interaction for years. Third she had to write the Op Ed and get it published. Fourth I had to find out about the article (thank you, Lorri!). Fifth, I had to reach out via email. Sixth she had to respond. And finally seventh, she had to make time to speak with me! 

We spoke last week and she listened with curiosity and compassion. A lot more conversations, acknowledgment, research and support need to be had, of course, but empathy is alive, is well and I even believe, is contagious…so don’t lose hope.  

Dear Dr. Corbett,

I believe I am the woman you mentioned in your STAT article titled "Empathy should guide responses to reported vaccine injuries." 

I asked you "What about the vaccine injured?" and you replied exactly as you wrote in your article that the NIH and FDA would investigate. The conversation I had with you was at St. Kate's in Saint Paul, MN on February 3rd, 2022. I was 10 months into my debilitating adverse reaction after my second Pfizer shot on April 13, 2021. I went from my full time job as VP of Corporate Social Responsibility at a large bank, doing triathlons and biking long distances, former valedictorian of my high school, to being out on disability, in severe pain, debilitating fatigue, with intense brain fog and needing a wheelchair. 

That night in February, I wheeled into the auditorium with my walker. I asked the question out of turn with my heart racing. I am a rule follower and very much took the vaccine without hesitation, but found that even a large research medical institution, where I spent 3 days in the hospital in May 2021, was not interested in talking about reactions. This was shocking and concerning to me because I wanted to figure out why this happened to me so we could reduce the likelihood of it happening to others. Was it my genetic makeup? Was it a manufacturing issue of the batch I got? Reactions are part of the science too. I was concerned our medical institutions weren't more curious and I was afraid more people would get hurt without getting help. 

By Feb 2022, I had met many more people like me and started a group in Minnesota called Team Humanity, in the purple intersection of the red and blue. In a country so politically divided about the vaccine, I wanted to create a community where people didn't even have to agree about the vaccine or politics, but could show up in love and empathy for those who did have adverse reactions to make the painful and scary experience less isolating. What we don't talk about leads to shame and isolation. Isolation leads to suicide and I knew of others with adverse reactions taking their lives. 

I was drawn to your character and said that I had come there wanting to be mad, but that you seemed like an amazing, smart and kind person and maybe you could help those of us who suffered adverse reactions. As I was talking, security came to take me away, but let me stay in the end. When it became obvious that the moderator wasn't going to ask my question, I became more desperate and just called it out. I remember feeling like an outcast in a sea of attendees who were there to celebrate. I wasn't there to create havoc, I was there to open up a conversation about reactions that wasn't even allowed on my own personal Facebook page. My real reaction became "misinformation."   

I know you are extremely busy and I am extremely grateful for what you have done for science and for your article with your call to move towards empathy and advocacy. Even though those suffering reactions are in the minority of people, our lives and experiences matter and that comes across so clearly in your article. I would love the opportunity to speak with you again. Our missions are the same. Empathy and humanity and listening to those who are suffering. Love wins and science is stronger when we get curious for all of humanity. 

In gratitude,

Suzanna Newell

Founder - Team Humanity