Thalidomide survivors campaign for State apology and stronger supports

John Stack is the youngest thalidomide survivor; he was born in January 1963 — well after the ban on the drug that should have been in place since 1961. Picture: Domnick Walsh

John Stack’s teeth are more important to him than the average person’s, as he uses them to open items that his damaged hands cannot cope with.

John was born over a year after the thalidomide drug should have been withdrawn from use for pregnant women, and he suffers the consequences to this day.