Kerry Biggs Testimony to Wisconsin Controlled Substances Board

By Kerry Biggs,  consumer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My name is Kerry Biggs, I’m a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and currently reside in South Milwaukee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. I’d like to begin by sharing with you a bit about my life and my experience with kratom.

I am 35 years old, and the proud mother of 2 children: a three-year-old girl, and a ten-year-old boy. They are truly my heart and soul. My son has Goldenhar Syndrome—a congenital birth defect that involves deformities of the face, as well as a congenital heart defect and conductive hearing loss. I am also the primary caregiver for my disabled mother. I don’t tell you this for your sympathy, I feel very blessed to be able to stay at home full-time to take care of my family. Rather, I tell you this because being a caretaker to others has become increasingly difficult as I’m struggling with my own medical issues.

Over the course of the last 5 to 6 years, I’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, diverticulosis and interstitial cystitis. In that time, I’ve been to countless doctors and specialists that have prescribed countless medications with countless side effects. While some medications would help with one diagnosis, it could exacerbate the symptoms of another. Most of the drugs my doctors prescribed left me feeling foggy—and foggy is not something I can afford to be as the primary caregiver for my mother and my kids. When other peoples’ lives and well-being rely on your own, you’re willing to take matters into your own hands, or at least I was.

I couldn’t live another day in the fog my prescribed narcotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines they put me on. I knew there had to be a solution. That’s when I found kratom. I’m very leery of things I put in my body, and found every piece of information I possibly could. After five months of research, I finally decided to try kratom and everything changed. After taking kratom in powdered tea and capsule form, the change was almost instant. Instant relief from so many of the symptoms I suffered in silence from for so many years. I felt great, a feeling I hadn’t had for too long.

Within weeks of regular use, I had my life back, and I was in total disbelief! I no longer wanted, and better yet, or needed my pain medication. Over the course of the next few months I was able to go off all but one nerve medication. Antidepressants, narcotics, everything, I was off them all. Kratom gave me the ability to care for my family properly again. I had a very low pain level, energy to spare and my mood was improved. With all of the medications, physical therapies, injections, tests and diagnoses, I finally had my answer.

Kratom helps with symptoms of almost every single one of my diagnoses, which is why the need for kratom in Wisconsin is so important. Frankly, it’s necessary for my survival and quality of life, and is necessary for many others in my shoes. I strongly support a repeal on the ban in Wisconsin, where I choose and am happy to have chosen to live, work and raise my family. Kratom is a plant that’s been used safely and effectively for thousands of years. While I’m not a doctor, kratom has had a clear medicinal value for me, and I know that I’m not alone.

It’s restoring people’s quality of life all over this great nation, and it’s even helping to treat addiction. Kratom gave me a new lease on life. That was until the ban. Now, I am back at square one, every day trying to do as much through the pain before my body literally gives out on me. Sadly, my story is not unique. It’s like so many others that kratom has helped. Please allow those of us that prefer a natural, effective solution to have it. Please give this amazing plant a chance. Thank you for your time and consideration today. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.