Witness Testimony

Kristin Ditzel testified that she received a COVID-19 vaccine on March 16, 2021, citing professional pressure within the health field. Approximately 25 minutes after injection, while still on site, she experienced what she described as an anaphylactic-like reaction, including sudden loss of limb control and collapse. She was treated with epinephrine and transported to hospital. In the days following, she reported recurring symptoms and progressive neurological decline, including loss of neck control, cognitive impairment, tremors, convulsions, and drop foot. She was hospitalized for one week and later assessed by a neurologist who diagnosed her with functional neurological disorder, without attributing the condition to vaccination.
Ditzel testified that over the following months her condition worsened, resulting in severe disability. She stated that she lost the ability to work, shut down her private Chinese medicine clinic, and relied on community fundraising to support her family. She later qualified for federal disability benefits of approximately $1,000 per month after an initial denial. She remains unable to return to work and reports limited daily functional capacity.
She further testified that she applied to the federal vaccine injury compensation program but was denied and is currently in the appeal process. She reported that her neurologist was unwilling to support the compensation claim. She stated that she contracted COVID-19 several months after her injury and that it worsened her symptoms. She described her prognosis as uncertain and reported that she continues to experience significant neurological limitations.