Shenandoah, Texas: Boy in the Plastic Bubble Exhibit (Gone)
Personal items of David Vetter, the hyper-allergic "Boy in the Plastic Bubble," immortalized in an embarrassing 1976 John Travolta TV movie, were displayed here for a long time.
Shenandoah Visitors Center
- Directions:
- One block east of I-45 on Tamina Road. Behind Home Depot, in the Shenandoah Visitors Center.
- Hours:
- July 2021: Exhibit gone.
- Status:
- Gone
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Visitor Tips and News About Boy in the Plastic Bubble Exhibit
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Boy In The Plastic Bubble Exhibit
Visited the "Boy In The Plastic Bubble Exhibit" in Shenandoah, Texas in 2011. The people that worked there knew David's family and were very nice.
[Mark Howell, 12/13/2012]Bubble Boy Exhibit
The Bubble Boy Exhibit is at the Shenandoah Visitors Center, open 7 days a week.
David, the Bubble Boy, was a resident of Shenandoah. His father was a former mayor of the City.
[Sharla Grayson, 03/24/2011]Personal items of David Vetter, the "Boy in the Plastic Bubble" immortalized in a laughable 1976 John Travolta TV movie (and further ridiculed in Disney's 2001 comedy "Bubble Boy"), will be part of a permanent exhibit in Vetter's hometown of Shenandoah, Texas. The Bubble Boy exhibit includes items provided by his parents (David Sr. is the mayor of the town).
David Joseph Vetter was born on Sept. 21, 1971 into a sterile environment set up in advance by doctors (David's older brother died the previous year from a rare immune deficiency). David was afflicted with the same Severe Combined Immune Deficiency Syndrome. With no natural defense against germs, the child grew up in a completely sterile environment, and could only be moved in a large polymer "bubble." Years passed with David in isolation and no cure for SCID Syndrome on the horizon. NASA created a sterile "spacesuit" for him, which he wore on several excursions, but spent most of his time in his home. In 1983, David underwent an experimental treatment that ultimately failed -- he died in 1984. The exhibit will chronicle his life and the impact of his unique case and treatment on medical science.
The town's new museum also tells the story of local business "Speedy Pak," and includes a 8-ft. wide wooden model of the first Speedy Pak store.
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