Heather Corporan - Hi MJ. While I'm very interested in learning more (love your posts and all the great info!) I haven't convinced myself to read this one (although I've contemplated it a few times) With that said, I just think it's ABSOLUTELY AWESOME that you are willing to make such an offer. I pray that God continues to bless your business, as I can tell how much you are willing to continually bless others! My prayer is also that there is MAJOR findings for a cure, and solid causes for Autism. : )
Jen Pecasting - I got my copy! Thanks so much Melissa!
Karen (Mikols) Bonar - I heard more about this on NPR and thought of Jenny's book ... I wonder what she has to say about it: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/03/court_vaccines_dont_cause_aust.html
jess - well my friend you know that i LOVE YOU and i am bursting at the seams with pride that you are taking a huge step to talk about an extremely controversial subject. as i work with these unbelievably great children everyday of the week, i am saddened by what the future may hold for them. what are we as a country and as individuals going to do to make their world an easier place to live in? some autistic children (as you know) are non verbal. some are not even able to communicate with sign language. what can we and what will we do for them??? in a few short years we will be in need of these answers as my students will become adults. not only do we need a cure we need a plan to help aid the families and soon to be adults affected by this rapidly growing disease...<3 you!!!
Jennifer Bowen - Melissa, Im so proud of you for using your blog in this additional way. I think this is such an important message to get out there! You and I have had conversations about this in the past as I am doing the delayed schedule with Alex. I recently came across this fantastic article/interview with Dr. Sears who has has a very unbiased and logical approach to working with parents on establishing a delayed schedule if they opt for one. What he highlights perhaps the best is WHY more and more parents are questioning the need for so many vaccines at one time, asking for options for delayed schedules, and asking for more studies to be done to examine the true safety of all these vaccinations. (Are aluminum and formaldehyde really necessary?) Dr. Sears is not anti vaccine at all; he is simply asking some thoughtful questions and making some clear suggestions for fixing the conflict of interests that would resolve many parents fears.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/vaccines/interviews/sears.html
Matt Bowker - I highly recommend you read this article to take a closer look at the conflict of interests that currently reside within the CDC and Pharm companies that make and sell these vaccinations. It is a multi-billion dollar industry. The vaccination "studies" that have been done to date (which are very few) are all done by the same Pharm companies that sell them. And while they have said that individual vacs may be generally safe for most of the population, what has never once been studied is whether or not its safe to inject a 2, 4 or 6 month baby with 6 different vaccinations at one time. What if certain babies were already exposed to certain toxins in utero and that cumulative effect has damaging consequences on the brain? When you are looking at a wide population and "dont care" if a few sheep get hurt to protect the general herd because you dont know them personally, vaccinations make perfect sense. When those individual sheep are your own children, and the risk becomes a bit more real, these are valid questions that need to be answered.
Leah Godfredson - Melissa, you are doing an incredible job of living what you preach. I am so happy to see your contributions to the field of Autism research. Very inspiring, to say the least!
Meredith Nelson - Melissa, Thank you again for speaking out! This is so so important whether people want to hear it or not. There are so many unanswered questions out there on why we have such a dramatic increase so to put to rest to the vaccine theory is simply irresponsible. Thank you for using your voice! (I look forward to "meeting you" next week.
Laurel - Wonderful post I love how dedicated you are to this. I don't know anyone with autism but I was so so afraid of my kids getting it that I delayed there vaccines for months and was treated horribly by my daughters doctor to the point where she chewed me out and acted as if I was killing my child. Well I found another dr who was open to my delayed schedule. Thank you for posting so much info on the subject I look forward to next week :)
Dana - Way to go, Melissa! I have been following your blog and have been so inspired by you. I currently work as a habilitation provider with a wonderful child who has autism. I am also begining my professional career as a photographer. However, I am extremely committed to continue to work with my little guy for as long as he needs me. I'm a "lifer" with him! I love love love that you are raising awareness for autism. Way to step up and God Bless you!!!
Jennie Karges - PLEASE write more! I work with children with autism and this subject is very dear to me. I would love it if you kept this going for as long as possible! I love that you are doing this. it makes me cry
Cindy - I LOVE that you are writing a weekly post about autism. I am currently doing a little fundraising for my little friend with Autism. From the first time I met her, I fell in love and now read every thing I get my hands on about autism. God Bless you and your family
Melissa Jill :) - Hi Matt - If you read her books you’ll find out that Jenny McCarthy is actually not anti-vaccines. She is pro-vaccines that are green and not filled with toxins like the ones given now are. She is also for vaccines when they are given on a safer schedule. I’ll definitely be talking about this topic more in future weeks but a recent study conducted at ASU states that in 30% of the cases of Autism there is evidence that children had an adverse reaction to vaccines.
Kell Harris-Lawson - I am so glad your doing this! I am currently pregnant with our first child who is a ninja I swear ;) When people found out I was having a boy a lot of them tried (most succeeded) to scare the living daylights out of me about the odds of boys vs girls with vaccines and autism. There is so much information out there, so many super extreme and so many different points of views that I totally feel overwhelmed! What a great thing you are doing. The husband and I own a little side button company, I can totally donate little 1 inch buttons to mail out for your cause if your interested. Just shoot me an email! <3 your blog stalker :)
Michelle Adams - I contacted you about a month ago to get in contact with Natalie (thank you so much, BTW!). My son is now there at the same school and is doing well. I was so comforted by e-mailing with Natalie about the school there. I'm so thankful that you both took time out of your busy days to help me.
Anyway! I watched Elijah on the playground end of last week and the wonder on his face as he played in the water that the teacher was spraying to keep them cool was just so delightful!
Thank you for sharing their story! Rock on!
Matt Bowker - Jenny McCarthy is one of the biggest voices in the anti-vax movement. Before you write too much about vaccinations and autism, I suggest you read the entire history of where that theory came from, and the recent news about the original scientific study that supposedly established the link being formally retracted. Here's a link to get started -
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AutismNews/lancet-retracts-controversial-autism-paper/story?id=9730805&page=1
Ginger Armstrong - I applaud your courage Melissa! I have not personally been touched by Autism, but have met many who have. Saying we simply don't know what causes it, is no longer good enough. We have to be the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves. Your family is in my prayers!
Tawnya Hood - Melissa this is so wonderful that you are doing this! I am forwarding the link to my sister ( who's son) has Autism.