Tuesday, May 17, 2011

This Is As Controversial As I'll Get

I just have to get this off my chest and I am wondering how many of you out there feel the same as I do.

Clearly the vaccine issue has been at the heart of the what-causes-autism debate for quite a few years now.  When friends (and strangers) ask my take on whether or not vaccines cause autism, my answer has remained the same since before M was officially diagnosed.  That answer is that M showed signs of developmental delay from very early on, so in OUR case, I do not believe vaccinations were the sole cause of his autism.  However, I do wish that I had spread them out those first years rather than following the recommended plan because I do believe they very well could have damaged his immune system (and thus his neurological system) along the way.  M clearly has immune system deficiencies, and I think moderation is key for every single thing I put in his body especially when it comes to toxins.  The fact that he's likely had the herpes virus actively wreaking havoc on his system for years with the inability to shed it naturally is proof enough for me that my particular child has difficulty when it comes to processing foreign viruses and bacteria.  And please note that even though we have tried biomedical intervention, I am not nor have I ever been one to go singing its praise from the mountaintops in hopes that every other family with autism will also go down that path.  In fact, I have always been very honest with others who ask in saying that we have actually not seen any results from biomedical intervention, but that some of the supplementing does resonate with me because of the previously mentioned immune issues as well as lab results that have shown clear deficiencies in several areas.  I mention biomed here because of the point I'm about to get to...and the fact that naysayers seem to think those who believe vaxing causes autism are also quacks who shell out boatloads of money on biomedical interventions.

So to my point...I am sick and freaking tired of feeling the divide that has clearly made its way into the autism parent community.  I am not a person who cares to or thinks that I even can get into an intelligent debate with those who have made it their mission to memorize every statistic or study Paul Offit and others are involved in.    I am not interested in continuing to vilify Dr Andrew Wakefield or other scientists who believe vaccinations *may* have caused autistic enterocolitis (since that was Dr. Wakefield's claim, folks) or that they may damage some children.  Frankly, I barely have enough energy to remember to punctuate the sentences within this blog post as my four-year-old screams the phrase 'poop in your underpants!' at the top of his lungs over and over.

What I do know, though, is that I have some very dear friends that I have met along the way of this autism journey and they believe that vaccinations were directly involved in the decline of their children into autism.  I have listened to their heartfelt stories of typical development turning to seizures after a vaccination and thus a withdrawal from the rest of the world.  I have heard about gut biopsies revealing crazy-ass viruses present in their children's system. And I believe them...because they are parents on a blind journey just like me wondering how this could have happened to their child and why it is happening to so many others around them.

I have stopped reading the blogs of some very outspoken proponents of the people-who-think-vaccines-cause-autism-are-stupid camp.  Though these people may be bright and well educated, I no longer have patience to tolerate their penchant for talking down to those who believe differently.  If you can speak calmly and kindly about your opinions, that is one thing.  When it becomes clear that you think everyone who doesn't agree with you and 'science' is a fucking idiot, I'm out the door.

Stepping down now...

12 comments:

starnes family said...

I love when you get controversial!

And, I respect your opinions. Absolutely. The only effective debate is a respectful one, people. I think we learned that in Kindergarten.

Valerie Foley said...

Yes.
Just yes.

Anonymous said...

Completely agree with you, on every point. I avoid these types of people and blogs as well. There's just no room for negativity in this life we're living.

GB's Mom said...

There are so many issues to discuss in the autism world and vaccines are not an issue that should predominate. Treatments, therapies, support, research... these are what discussions should occupy our time.

fer said...

Let's universalize this post for just about any belief or position out there...yes, yes, yes. Share your thoughts and listen, people. Respectfully! Honor where people have been and where they come from. Seek to understand. You rock!

Anonymous said...

Well done on this issue I don't think we have the whole truth on that issue and I think threre are lots of People who don't what the truth to come out for there own reasons I think.

stagerat said...

The last phrase you'll hear an 'expert' use is 'I don't know'.. Not being an expert, I have no opinion about vaccines past the point that Dude had to have them to get into school. And they seemed to have no effect on him other than that.
The only people I hate are the 'haters', and I have no tolerance for the intolerant. And, therefore, will not grace them with my presence... And that does say something about my opinion of you... lol

Mandy said...

Girlfriend, I hear ya! Patrick had a milk protein intolerance (which is also linked to the digestive system and the immune system,) and I can tell you it ROCKED his world--and ours!! He screamed for 17 hours a day and didn't sleep. It was terrible. Because of this, I had his vaccinations spaced out just to be on the safe side. I feel for those parents and don't think anyone who has not walked in their shoes should not be able to say what may or may not be possible. Very well written my dear friend. Hugs!

Raw Kiwi said...

Loved that.

redheadmomma said...

I completely completely completely agree. I'm willing to listen to both sides but not when they're yelling in my face. And that goes for BOTH sides.

Rachel said...

Hi. I just randomly reached your blog and wanted to tell you that I think you are doing great with your kids. I believe we are all created with the ability to withstand a certain amount of toxins. Some people can withstand more than others. I believe this was called "constitution" back in the olden days... Anyway... I am of the belief that vaccines CAN and DO cause lots of problems, including autism. Not always, but a good portion of the time. I choose not to vaccinate my daughter and any future children because a large amount of the diseases everyone vaccinates against can be taken care of with good hygiene, and herbs, essential oils and other treatments that work to support the body's natural mechanisms. This is my belief. But I know that not everyone shares that belief. I wish everyone did.... but I can't make anyone. And if I try to tell people they are wrong for this, or that, or whatever, I will only push them away. Instead, by listening to them presenting what I know to be right (in a respectful way), maybe they will think about it and change their minds...
Anyway... I wanted to basically tell you that I think you're doing great with your blog also. :-)

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