Meeting on the Mississippi

“there are no coincidences, just miracles by the boatload”

Meeting on the Mississippi

 “there are no coincidences, just miracles by the boatload”

If you were to ask anyone who doesn’t live in Minnesota what their first impression of the 32nd state is most people would answer:

    -the tundra on the border of Canada.

    -a place where people dress in snowmobile suits to go to the grocery store. 

-where Norwegians get together to eat Lutefisk and casseroles.

We are so much more than this, so much more than negative windchill temperatures and goulash for dinner. 

In Minnesota we are the land of 10,000 lakes.  Actually, if you count the ponds Minnesota is home to 142,662 bodies of water.  And, that doesn’t include the mighty Mississippi river that starts in Itasca and runs south through Minneapolis and St Paul.

In the summer Minnesotans flock to our lakes, rivers, ponds and cabins.  We are boating people.  We canoe, kayak, paddleboard, water ski, fish, and just simply go for boat cruises.

Team Humanity’s first “meeting” took place on one of these gorgeous summer days in a river and on a boat-quintessential Minnesota. 

In June last year, on the mighty Mississippi river, at the Watergate Marina Suzanna “coincidentally” met Kristie.

It was a gorgeous summer day, hot and humid.  One of those days us hearty Minnesotans look forward to all winter.  During the bitterly cold winter months we dream of getting out on the water, reconnecting with nature, and basking in the warm summer sunshine

Kristie had spent the day cruising the Mississippi with her son and husband. Kristie wasn’t her usual self.  She was exhausted, her muscles ached, she was ready to get home and rest.  Kristie left her husband and son at the Marina to close down the boat for the day; and headed slowly to the car. 

As Clare Vanderpol says,

 “there are no coincidences, just miracles by the boatload”. 

And, on June 12, 2021 the boat that delivered this coincidence was Suzanna. She, too, was out enjoying the Minnesota summer and happened to dock her boat at the same marina right next to Kristie’s boat.  

Kristie’s husband, Jim, mentioned to Suzanna that Kristie needed assistance getting out of the boat because she hadn’t been feeling herself since her second vaccine.  Suzanna looked at Jim and simply said, “Can I come over to your boat and talk to you?”  The two visited for a while, shared stories, and Suzanna gave Jim a piece of paper with her contact information on it. 

Later that day Kristie messaged Suzanna and within the week they were talking on the phone.  They shared their vaccine injury stories; and more importantly started a special friendship.  

As Kristie said:

“Suzanna was the first person who understood exactly what I was feeling and knew how I was hurting.  She had the same questions as me.  Both wondering why? And, what comes next?  They commiserated about their pain, immobility, and the complete 180 that happened in their lives.  Prior to their injuries both Kristie and Suzanna were strong, fit, energetic and healthy women who loved to move.  Now they were chronically fatigued, disabled and weak.”

Kristie shared with Suzanna how she used to take 3 kettlebell classes a week and was an active retiree.  After her vaccines Kristie suffered from daily stabbing and throbbing pain along with electric jolt like feelings.  Her toes turned black and blue.  She had a hard time lifting her arms above her head let alone swing a kettlebell high in the air.  In May of 2021 she was diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.  Kristie spent most of the summer of 2021 laying in a recliner inside her home unable to enjoy the Minnesota summer.

This “coincidental meeting” on the Mississippi was a gift for Kristie.  Not only did she have a new found friendship, but a soulmate who understood what she was going through; and an advocate who pushed her to seek a different medical opinion.

Based on Suzanna’ recommendation Kristie visited the University of Minnesota emergency room. From there she was referred to a rheumatologist.  In September of 2021 Kristie was diagnosed with vaccine induced antisynthetase syndrome with AntiJo 1 antibodies which presents itself as myositis.  According to the Cleveland Clinic, “myositis makes your immune system attack your muscles.”.  Your immune system is in overdrive and believes your muscles are something foreign that needs to be ambushed.

Kristie is one of the lucky ones.  She has a diagnosis and a temporary treatment. Thankfully her rheumatologist started her on IVIG treatments every 28 days. Kristie has said that she feels like a, “vampire-at the 25th day she can feel herself/her muscles wasting away”.  Her treatments are saving her life one month at a time.

Like Suzanna, Kristie has become an advocate for others who have been injured.  She has spent countless hours researching her diagnosis and reviewing medical journals and emerging studies.  Kristie has used her voice to share her story.

Here is a link to a podcast Kristie did with Dr P Kory, Dr P Marik, Kim Witczak, and other people who have been injured by their vaccines.  You can hear Kristie’s story at the one hour mark in the podcast.  

Even though Kristie and Suzanna’s bodies are defying them their minds, hearts and willpower have not given up.  They are true fighters.  

Both Kristie and Suzanna father’s were named George.  “Two men that were pillars of truth and justice.  Two men who deeply loved and protected their families.  Two men that encouraged their daughters to be strong, smart and intentional”.  When Suzanna and Kristie need a little help to keep fighting they say it’s time to “evoke the Georges”.

Kristie did just that last month when she wrote an article for the South Dakota Standard about her diagnosis and subsequent journey.  

https://www.sdstandardnow.com/home/covid-vaccine-adverse-reactions-are-happening-and-their-stories-need-to-be-told

Team Humanity has chosen to “evoke the Georges”!  We are choosing to self publish our stories-stories that need to be heard and shared.  Stories that shouldn’t be dismissed nor ignored.  

One of our favorite quotes embodies this spirit:

“Hope has two beautiful daughters.

Their names are anger and courage:

anger at the way things are and

courage to see that they do not

remain they way they are.”

Team Humanity will continue to publish our stories. But, for now, please know there is a “Team Humanity” boat ready and waiting to enjoy another Minnesota summer on the Mississippi.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors…

All stories are edited and approved by the participant before the story is published.