My son, Jacob Ryan Schmidt of Baytown, TX, was a semi-pro competitive martial arts expert, strong as a bull and enjoying life as a family man. In April of 2010, at the age of 27, he succumbed to complications from H1N1 influenza. He had not been vaccinated against the illness.
Jacob was not someone you’d expect to fall ill to influenza. He was healthy and athletic, and built like a freight train. He was a leader and a fighter. Surely, he had the fortitude and strength in him to beat the disease. I was confident that he would recover.
The disease took a heavy and rapid toll. His lungs collapsed; he developed an infection. His organs were shutting down. After about five weeks of influenza ravaging his body, Jacob died.
He had a bright future ahead, snuffed out by influenza. It hurts to know he could have been vaccinated, but wasn’t. I hadn’t been vaccinated either, nor was my 18-year-old son, but after visiting Jacob in the intensive care unit, my son and I both got vaccinated.
Talk to your doctor before this happens. I wish Jacob had.
Sharon McFadden
Mother of Jacob Schmidt
Honolulu, HI
Share Your Story
Please share your story to help others understand more about the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases, drug-resistant infections, and other infectious diseases
Related Resources
Contagious Chronicles: Don’t Be A Dreaded Spreader
In this episode, NFID experts offer insights on updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
¿Eres Ese Tipo de Persona?
Animated video in Spanish on flu symptoms, prevention, and treatment, reminding viewers to get vaccinated each year and stay home when sick to help protect themselves and those around them from flu
Emmily’s Story (Flu)
Emmily was a healthy, active 13-year old, who ended up in a medically-induced coma for nearly 6 weeks as a complication of influenza (flu). The flu vaccine likely saved her life.