ONLY one person was identified last week as a possible local Thalidomide survivor from the almost 30 who came forward during a visit by a group consisting of two Jamaican-born Thalidomide survivors who reside in the US and the director of the UK-based Thalidomide Trust, Dr Martin Johnson.

“We spoke with at least 30 people, but we have only found one strong candidate and this person is being processed right now,” said Berrisford Boothe, one of the two Jamaican Thalidomide survivors who resides in the United States.

The group decided to look for survivors in Jamaica so that they can be compensated because the trust will be coming to a close by year-end.

The group, which held consultations on Wednesday and Thursday last week at the Sir John Golding Rehabilitation Centre in Kingston, was trying to identify persons who may have been born with birth defects due to the drug Thalidomide – given to pregnant women more than 40 years ago to treat morning sickness and also used as a sedative for adults.

However, it was later discovered that the drug inhibited the growth of the fetus, resulting in horrific and severe birth defects in thousands of children around the world.

Boothe told the Observer that the group was considering setting up alternative methods for Jamaicans who believe they are Thalidomide survivors to contact them. “They will have to send us pictures and contact information,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Johnson said most of the persons with who he met last week had congenital limb damage.

“From what we have seen there is a high incidence of congenital limb damage and they should really look at what is causing it,” he said. “These persons were not Thalidomides.”

Dr Johnson said the fact the he was able to determine the genuine Thalidomide cases due to studies that were done, which pinpointed the types of deformities Thalidomide babies would have based on the time the mother took the drug. He said for example, if the expectant mother took the drug 20 days after then the child could be born with no arms.

He said, however, that most persons he had encountered that had birth defects caused by the drug were successful individuals. He said that most of the Jamaican cases that he had come across were persons that were from middle income families.

One such person is Nigel Richards, who is an employed to J Wray and Nephew in Kingston. He is currently a beneficiary of the trust.

Richards met last Wednesday with fellow survivors Berrisford Boothe and Faith Russell, who reside in the United States for the first time.

Richards said his life was challenging growing up, but he had the support of his family.

“It is very difficult because there is stigma against persons with disabilities,” he said. The visiting group expressed gratitude for the assistance from Lady Golding in making the consultations possible.

davidsont@jamaicaobserever.com