I was an Air Force Firefighter for just short of eleven years, separating only after a physical injury left me unable to do my job. I served from Jan 1993 – Nov 2003. I was stationed at Fairchild AFB, WA, Clear AS, AK, Shaw AFB, SC, and Ellsworth AFB, SD. I deployed 4 times during my time on active duty.
We used AFFF for everything. When an aircraft hangar would have a foam dump, we’d play around in that stuff because it was so deep we didn’t have much choice. In 2017, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. I have severe female related problems and had to have a hysterectomy at a young age. All of my female parts had grown together. I was told I was lucky that I had the two children I did have. I thank God every day that they healthy. I also have extremely soft bones.
Where does all of this come from? No one in my family, anywhere, have had any of these issues and Parkinson’s does not run in my family. My concern is that I will continue to have things come up possible from all the contaminants that I was put into contact with. I have a toxin marker on my brain. The doctors believe that my Parkinson’s is related to some toxin that I came in contact with while on active duty.
The DOD has been waiting over six years to tell us that AFFF was very bad for us (and who knows what else). I’ve been given Anthrax shots, a whole series of them. I am just looking for any other military firefighter that may be dealing with any similar issues.
- Author resides in Rapid City, South Dakota
Note from the Editor: The account/editorial is verbatim from the author without edit, with only the omission of their name to preserve anonymity.
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