A former Marine and his household have been left with extreme well being points linked to “poisonous” consuming water at Camp Lejeune.
Elbridge Cleveland, 64, served in america Marine Corps between 1979 and 1988.
From 1980, he was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for six years, alongside his then-wife and their three youngsters.
In 1982, the Marine Corps found poisonous unstable natural compounds within the base’s consuming water, which served round 34,000 folks.
Elbridge says his well being issues started in 1985, when he began experiencing fixed complications and leg ache.
Since then, he has been recognized with 61 totally different well being circumstances – together with kidney illness, fibromyalgia, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, pores and skin most cancers, mitochondrial illness, cysts all through his physique, and has suffered a number of strokes.
He additionally misplaced his spouse to most cancers, his daughter has stage 4 most cancers, and his sons have additionally developed well being points, which Elbridge believes are linked to the contaminated water.
Elbridge, from Lacona, New York, stated: “We didn’t know something concerning the water being contaminated.
“No person did till 1987, after they despatched out a survey to individuals who had lived there.
“It requested if we had skilled any kind of sickness, the place we lived, and the place we drank the water from.
“On the time, they didn’t say the survey was as a result of contamination, however I knew there was one thing else behind it.”
Throughout his time in america Marine Corps, Elbridge was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for six years.
He lived there along with his ex-wife, and the couple welcomed their three youngsters throughout that point.
“I began experiencing fixed complications, prostate points, and discomfort in each of my legs,” Elbridge stated.
“I didn’t know something concerning the water being poisoned; no person did.”
Water contamination at Camp Lejeune dates again to August 1953, when the Hadnot Level water system started supplying contaminated water to base residents.
By 1981, laboratory testing revealed the water was extremely contaminated. Nevertheless, residents weren’t formally notified till years later.
Since leaving the Marines, Elbridge says he has skilled “every kind of well being points.”
He has been recognized with kidney illness, fibromyalgia, diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, pores and skin most cancers, mitochondrial illness, cysts all through his physique, and has suffered a number of strokes.
He stated his spouse died from most cancers in 2024, and that each one three of his youngsters have skilled well being points, which he believes are linked to the contaminated water.
Chatting with Promote Us Your Story, Elbridge stated, “I can’t do a variety of issues that I used to. I nonetheless get lightheaded on a regular basis.
“I get muscle spasms all through my complete physique; they’re in my throat, so typically I battle to breathe.
“My daughter has stage 4 most cancers. My two sons, who have been born on the bottom, even have well being points.
“My sons have been born within the Navy hospital there. After they have been born, they have been washed with that poisonous water after which wound up consuming it.”
On the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs web site, veterans who served at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, are inspired to use for incapacity advantages and healthcare.
Elbridge says he receives each, however feels deserted by the federal government and claims he isn’t being supported in accessing additional therapy.
He stated he needed to begin flying to the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, for therapy because the hospitals in New York, as really useful by the Veterans Affairs, have been “placing plasters” over his well being points.
“I began going to the Cleveland Clinic for therapy, as no hospital in New York would deal with me,” he stated.
“The clinic really useful that the VA set up an infrared sauna and a hydrotherapy unit in my residence, as it will assist with the ache and my sleep.
“However the VA stored saying no, and I’m shedding feeling in my arms and legs.”
He described his therapy as “horrific” and stated he feels it will be simpler for the division if he died, so “they wouldn’t must foot the invoice.”
“I’m combating them for every part,” he stated.
“I can’t assist however really feel like it will be simpler for them if I died.
“That is no option to deal with a veteran.”
Veteran Affairs press secretary, Quinn Slaven, stated: “Federal regulation prohibits the acquisition or set up of therapeutic or wellness gear for in-home use beneath the VA Dwelling Enhancements and Structural Alterations program.
“This program could solely be used for residence modifications, similar to accessibility enhancements to bogs, entrances, and mobility-related residence features.”
