victiminformationsheetforvincentchan.docVIP

Victim Information Sheet for Vincent Chan Mystery #2 (Conduct the interview while sitting, to represent that you are confined to a wheel-chair. Put on the nametag of “Vincent Chan”.) It is late April 1973. Introduce yourself as Vincent Chan, one of the three patients, ages 17-22, who are experiencing similar symptoms between mid-February and late March 1973. They all live in the same area. One is confined to wheelchairs and two are completely paralyzed - unable to breathe without an artificial respirator. Symptoms: It began with weakness in my arms and legs, and numbness that moved up my arms and legs. Now I’m so weak I can’t walk, and I have to use a wheelchair. I’m not getting worse now, but I’m not getting any better either. I had to quit my job, because I couldn’t lift things. I stumbled because I couldn’t pick up my feet when walking, and I couldn’t climb stairs. Diagnosis: At first they thought I had muscular dystrophy, but now they’re calling it a neuropathy. Treatment: I’m receiving high dosages of multiple vitamins, physical therapy and therapy for pneumonia, but it doesn’t seem to be having any effect. Job: Works as a food store cashier. “Do I work with dangerous chemicals?” “Just ethanol, but only small amounts.” Avoid divulging the following glue-sniffing information until after the students have begun their research, and have discovered for themselves that all three of the patients had sniffed glue. Questions about glue sniffing: “I don’t actually sniff glue, I sniff, or “huff,” lacquer thinner. I started huffing, then I couldn’t stop. It became a habit. I’ve stopped now.” “Why did I do it?” “It’s cheap. My friends and I would do it all evening. I usually huffed with a group of people. The “high” lasts about 5-15 minutes.” “I started huffing a few months ago. I quit huffing, but I kept getting worse for about eight weeks after I quit. Now I wish I’d …” #1 ----- John Lee, age 19, car mechanic apprentice, paralyzed,