Support Care and Medical Treatment for the Children of Vietnam Veterans

Since 1991, Birth Defect Research for Children has received calls from thousands of Vietnam veterans who have children with birth defects and other disabilities.“Ilost my husband from a cancerous brain tumor 13 months ago. My son has many disabilities, including Tourette’s syndrome, mental retardation, mild cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and he is profoundly deaf. He will never be able to live on his own.” 

“My father passed away in 1998. He had many health problems, including type II diabetes. He was only 50 years old. Agent Orange has been a part of my life from the moment I was born. I was born without my right leg, several of my fingers, and my big toe on my left foot. My mother had three miscarriages. My younger brother (age 29) has to wear bifocals and suffers from chronic joint pain.” 

“I served four tours in Vietnam. We have three children: one daughter with a heart defect, another with scoliosis and digestive problems, and a son born with a defective optic nerve that has left him blind in the right eye. There is no history of birth defects on either side of our family.” These families are frustrated because they don’t know where to turn for proper diagnosis and treatment of their children’s disorders. 

We want to serve our veterans as they have served us by petitioning for a 'Children's Center' that would be staffed by specialists who could diagnose and treat veterans' children who have birth defects and developmental disabilities.The center would provide free diagnosis and treatment for their serious health conditions and work with their doctors back home to continue care in their own communities. It has been over 30 years since the war in Vietnam ended still veterans and their families are living with the effects of the War. It is our turn to help support their children as their parents have supported this country.