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Sarah Bridges

A Bad Reaction: A Memoir Hardcover – March 15, 2016

by Sarah Bridges (Author)

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Sarah Bridge's story of her son's severe vaccine reaction, how it upended her family and her eight year struggle to get federal compensation for him. A voice of reason on a polarizing issue.

At four months old, Porter Bridges went in for his well-baby checkup and received an array of vaccines. That night he spiked a 105-degree fever and had a two-hour grand mal seizure. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors struggled to stabilize him while his family paced the halls waiting to hear if he was conscious. Though no one could know it at the time, Porter's hospitalization marked the start of a terrifying and tragic decline in his health and the health of his family. And while the effects of Porter's reaction would take years to fully develop, the cause was never in doubt--Porter's hospital record reads, "Brain injury from pertussis vaccine."

A Bad Reaction is a personal journey--sometimes painful, sometimes funny. It confronts the dissonance between what the government tells us about the vaccine-autism link and its quiet payments compensating the vaccine-injured. It tackles broader issues such as individual versus government responsibility, the conflicts of interest in vaccination-safety research, and the balance of individual and collective good. Vaccines hold the special distinction of being the only mandated drugs all children receive and have saved innumerable lives. They also have safety risks. This book is about one of those "negative outcomes." His name is Porter.

Skyhorse Publishing, along with our Arcade, Good Books, Sports Publishing, and Yucca imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of biographies, autobiographies, and memoirs. Our list includes biographies on well-known historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, Nelson Mandela, and Alexander Graham Bell, as well as villains from history, such as Heinrich Himmler, John Wayne Gacy, and O. J. Simpson. We have also published survivor stories of World War II, memoirs about overcoming adversity, first-hand tales of adventure, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Print length

228 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Skyhorse
Publication date

March 15, 2016
Dimensions

6 x 1 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1634505379
ISBN-13

978-1634505376
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sarah Bridges memoir of her son Porter's severe vaccine reaction, tells the story of how after a pertussis vaccine at four months-old her family was upended. In A Bad Reaction, the practicing psychologist and mom, delves into neuroscience to explain how her perfectly normal baby developed severe disabilities including autism. She won her case with the federal government's vaccine court, and her book can help others do the same. Sarah earned a PhD and post-doctoral appointment in neuropsychology in 1995 on a fellowship from the National Institutes of Health. She began a consulting firm in 2001 and works with leaders and organizations to increase effectiveness. She is the author of seventeen children's books and has written for the "Washington Post," "Mothering," "Realizing Leadership," and other magazines. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her four children."

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Skyhorse (March 15, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1634505379
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1634505376
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,674,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #376 in Vaccinations
- #1,317 in Autism & Asperger's Syndrome
- #1,345 in Nervous System Diseases (Books)

Customer Reviews:
24 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		81%
4 star		14%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Carol

I don't understand her really

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020

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The author seems to find it reasonable and ethical that pharmaceutical companies delayed producing a safer DPT vaccine because that would cut into their profits slightly. WTF?

That being said, the book was informative, interesting and very affecting. I was relieved that her severely disabled son is happy, perhaps even beatifically so. I don't think that's the usual story.

God forgive us all for allowing this to happen to our children.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Lisa Fraga

A Bad Reaction is a GREAT Memoir! Kudos Sarah Bridges.

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2016

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This was one of those books that you pick up and don't want to put down. Sarah provides a non-biased view into vaccinations and shares how a bad reaction to a vaccination can impact a family for life. It was a privilege to take the journey with Sarah, Porter, Tyler and the rest of the family. It was real, intense, sad, funny, frustrating and inspiring, sometimes all on the same page. My favorite quote in the book was by a Tibetan Buddhist 'everything preceding this event was aimed to ready you for this moment'. Sarah is the saint of patience and has given us the gift of knowing her and Porter. I am following A Bad Reaction on Facebook so I can continue to follow Porter's journey. Nice job Sarah!

One person found this helpful

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Jack Stoltzfus

Heart wrenching account of a mother's love and persistence.

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2016

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What a gut wrenching and heart wrenching account of responding to a crisis with your child. No one should have to go through something like this; but, Sarah shows how a parent can do this with courage, love and persistence. Well written and something any parent should read but particularly a parent with a special needs child.

One person found this helpful

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Mercedes

Excellently written, Engaging and Balanced Perspective

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2017

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This book provides brilliant, well-written, engaging context on the truth about adverse reactions to vaccines. Her perspective is candid yet written with emotional and scientific maturity. I found myself connecting to her experience and at times laughing out loud at her ability to capture the irony, absurdity and yet deep love involved in living through the traumatic injury of her child.

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2016

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An amazing story of a mother's strength and perseverance in the face of unthinkable circumstances. It was utterly refreshing to read something so real and raw. I wouldn't call it a vaccine story, I would call it a love story.

One person found this helpful

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Breanna Breidenbach

Couldn’t put it down

Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021

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Sarah writes in a way that you feel like you’re there with her. This story is gut wrenching and insightful. And should be common knowledge for all parent.

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Shawn Diddy

... know what to expect when I began reading "A Bad Reaction". I am not anti-vaccine

Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2016

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I didn't know what to expect when I began reading "A Bad Reaction". I am not anti-vaccine, so I was prepared to "not like" or "not agree with" the book. I am a mother. This is the story of a mother, a family. I learned that the author is not anti-vaccine. She gives excellent, non-biased information by balancing her clinical background with layman's terms. She recounts the story of her family's experience- including their bureaucratic experience, in an honest, and often entertaining way. I would find myself wrapped up in a tragedy, tearing up with compassion and then turning the page to giggle as Sarah Bridges recounted real life moments that were endearing and down right funny. I recommend this book, not only to parents and those involved with children with special circumstances but, to all parents because it speaks to the common bonds of families. I don't have a special needs child, and still found myself smiling and saying, "me too". From one family member's special diet effecting everyone, to the roles each member assumes, to government regulations- Sarah Bridges helps us realize we are not alone in day to day challenges. In the case the reader is not a parent, the story is appealing because it discusses a subject that is prominent in news stories from a place of actual experience. Reading this book was like sitting down with a well-informed friend. It is empowering, enlightening and well written. Sarah Bridges and her family members have learned to thrive in spite of circumstances. The author was quite brave to tell this story and you will understand why when you read it. The book is inspiring and at the end of the day -whatever your opinion on vaccinations- this is a GOOD STORY.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Delayen Weeden

A Touching Story

Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2016

I was really impressed with the book. I have a family member with Autism. So I do know the struggles that a family goes through in situations like this. It just goes to show you that no matter what
situation life throws at you, or better said when life throws you lemons made lemonade. We all have situations in life to overcome. I was impressed with how she handled hers. This book is a must read

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Emma Pearson

In awe

Reviewed in France on July 31, 2016

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The writing in this book is courageous, honest, witty, self-deprecating, patient, loving - quite simply beautiful. Sarah has described what must be most parents' nightmare in heartfelt, brutally honest language, while also providing a sense of wholeness. How she and her family managed these challenges at such a young age, and such a crucial stage in life, is beyond me. Thank you Sarah for sharing your experience, and showing how you've managed to continue walking through this life of challenge and distress while maintaining and open and compassionate heart.

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