But this time it wasn't ALL Madeleine's fault. Sure, she was up at 11pm, 2am, 4:30am, and 6am. But I was up anyway. See, I watched a show that I don't watch TOO often (I'm not thrilled with her anti-marriage viewpoints.) However, this particular show my mom told me to tape and watch. Jenny McCarthy and Holly Robinson Peete were talking about their sons with autism. It was really really scary, especially because they are both convinced that vaccines gave their children autism. Also, the CDC used to say that vaccines didn't cause it, but now they have changed their statement and they say they don't know if vaccines cause it. They're doing more tests.
Vaccines have worried me from day 1. I've asked her doctor about them every time (she's had 3 rounds of shots.) He's reassured me that the benefits far outweigh the risks. She hasn't had the MMR shot yet - that is the one they call the "autism shot."
Then I read this post from A thorn in the pew.
Can I in good conscience allow my child to have these shots while they're undergoing testing like this? Should I wait until she is older? Autism rates are up to 1 in every 150 children. Something's happening here and I'm worried about it.
20 comments:
I have two friends who have children with autism. One knows it was a vaccine that caused it and has a reasonable explanation as to why she knows that. She received the MMR vaccine while nursing the baby, and it went through her breastmilk, then when the baby was vaccinated it was an overdose, as far as I know her other children are vaccinated. My other friend does not know what caused the autism and has her other children vaccinated...none of the other children in either family have autism.
I too find the rise in autism to be frightening and cannot imagine the pain it causes a family.
I do vaccinate my children after a long hard struggle in making this decision. Ultimately a wise grandmother helped me decide to vaccinate. She explained to me that I was in a comfortable position since I had never gone through the pains of watching my children or other children die or suffer greatly from these diseases. She told me that she has always seen the vaccines as an answer to all the prayers of mothers who went through the terrible agony of watching their children catch what are now preventable diseases. I live in an area where many families do not vaccinate for many good reasons. I understand the decision not to, I however; do vaccinate and have found peace in the choice to do so and am no longer full of fear of what the vaccine may do to my child... I've learned that making a decision out of fear is never a good reason...it is better to research and then make a firm decision based on facts, whichever way you and Ken decide at least Madeleine can always know you did what was best for her. God gives the grace to parents to know what is best for their own children.
Boy, I've rambled on and on...sorry!
God Bless,
Kathryn
you hit a hot topic i'm sure:) we have not vaccinated maggie yet for anything for similar reasons, autism being one of the issues we are not fully comfortable with risk wise. my sister does not vaccinate either and she could give you an earful as to why she doesn't. she claims that her son jack who has a few issues in other areas, would have been much worse had she vaccinated him and might have been full blown autistic. he has some mild add-ish type tendancies but they are treating non pharmaceutically. anyway, e mail her and she'll give you tons of information to sift through if you want.
Yea it scared me too! Especially the part about the MMR shot. Quinn hasn't gotten that one either I think they do it at 1 year. But I need to do my research and find out if it's worth just waiting a little longer. She never had a problem with any other shots so I just don't know. She won't even be receiving her 1st year shots on her birthday cause I'll be in up there. So she will be waiting a few months anyway to get them.
So I guess it all comes down to research and what you and Ken feel comfortable with.
The show scared me too. Of course, some of the increase in diagnosis has got to be attributed to more awareness and a broader range on the spectrum, at least I think so. However, there is also clearly something going on. I have friends that still vaccinate, they just do it on a different schedule so that the child does not get so many shots at once. I know that I feel we have defied the odds up to this point, and I wonder how much of a risk we will be taking in the future. Of course, both women also talked about food sensitivities and how that has affected their children as well. Again, something to consider, while also looking at your own family history. I think there are many, many things to be frightened about when it comes to children, but we have to realize when it is time to let go of that and accept what comes. Not that we should be lazy or not try to prevent those things that can be prevented, but we should try to keep a grasp on our own limitations to prevent things too. We can't live in fear--that is not what God wants from us as parents.
I totally agree with you, Beth. That has been a topic we have discussed many times around here! We chose to delay a lot of shots for Isabella, she's only had a few, and will only get the bare minimum. She will not be getting the MMR. Unfortunately, our pediatrician doesn't see eye to eye with us on this issue. My cousin's little boy was completely normal and healthy - one week after he got the MMR his behaviour completely changed. He jumped into a burning fireplace and within days was diagnosed with autism. My cousin is convinced it was the MMR shot. It is so hard because you just want to do what is best for your children.
I vaccinate my children. With the rise in immigration from second and third world countries, previously essentially-extinct diseases are making their way back to North America in frightening numbers.
I think the cause in the rise in autism numbers is caused by a combination of things - I would talk with a sensitive doctor about my concerns.
What the decision came down to for us was this: What is the risk/benefit ratio of each decision (vax or no vax) and which one can we live with? What is the worst case scenario of each decision, and which one can we live with?
Finally, we felt that we could live with one of our children contracting one of the vax diseases, more than we could live with neurologically damaging our child with a vaccine. We can do more to protect our child from infectious disease (through optimal nutrition, extended nursing, no day care, meticulous hygeine, and homeopathy/nutritional medicine to strengthen their immune systems) than we could do for them once that vaccine hits the brain and body. The blood-brain barrier is not fully formed in a child until the age of 2. Vaccines go right to the brain, and all the heavy metals, formaldehyde, and toxins with them.
Because Jack is just slightly on the spectrum, I network with a lot of mothers trying to recover their chilren from autism. It's the most heartbreaking thing you've ever witnessed...they've lost their children forever, and they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to get them back. There is medical treatment for most of the diseases you vax for, and most of them are not serious illnesses. Some of them, like Hep B and chicken pox vax, have no good reason to exist. Babies don't have sex or share needles or eat contaminated food. And chicken pox is not deadly. The most worrisome one, pertussis, is most serious in babies under a year, and breastfeeding is the best insurance against that.
Do the research, Beth, and make an informed decision. We've spoken before about the greater potential for vax side effects b/c of M's history of eczema and food allergy. These are the most common risk factors for a vaccine reaction. Ask any mother of an autistic child.
There is nothing wrong with simply delaying vaxes. Wait until she's over two years old, vax selectively, with monovalent forms, and on an extended schedule.
http://nvic.org/
http://search.freefind.com/find.html?id=81178768&pageid=r&mode=ALL&n=0&query=vaccines
And as an aside, we should be concerned about the fact that the government is mandating medical treatment in the form of vaccines. That article linked by A Thorn In The Pew was frightening to me. Every state in the US has a medical exemption for vaccines which is VERY difficult to get, but very few states have a philosphical exemption, which allows a parent to refuse to vaccinate. There is something seriously amiss when our government can force medical treatments on our children against our wishes.
Bottom line is: vaccines are the bread and butter of pharmacutical companies. Every child gets them, so they make tons of money on them. Look at the Gardasil controversy, when they tried to make it mandatory in some states and parents got angry and refused. There is a very long, winding money trail here...just follow it.
I vaccinate my child. After doing a lot of research, I feel it's the best course of action and the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the risks.
With more people choosing not to vaccinate, there may soon be a time where the illnesses are on the rise again, and I don't want my child dying of an illness I can prevent.
As for vaccines causing autism...hasn't been proven. I think there is a LOT more going on than simply vaccines. Autism rates are higher for boys than girls. Not everyone who gets the shot gets autism, so there are other factors. I think it's a scary thing, but I don't think it's as simple as saying "The MMR vaccine causes autism."
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Beth. Monkey is due for his one year shots in a month's time. I will definitely do some research before then. He has received his other shot so far. Like Beck said, the number of diseases that are making a come back is very scary. An informed decision is best.
Hey, Beth. Thanks about the bibs. AND scary stuff about the vaccines. I will be following such posts closely. Please post what you decide when the time comes.
I had a question regarding the Catholic objections to vaccinating. I updated with information on that for those who are interested:
http://athorninthepew.blogspot.com/2007/09/catholic-objections-to-vaccinations.html
While I respect the opinions of mother's who chose to vaccinate, do not blame the parents who do not vaccinate for the rise in epidemic illnesses. There are many enviromental and dietary issues which also have bearing on this rise. I hope that is well taken. I just wanted to be honest. I was suprised no one addressed the aborted fetal tissue issue regarding this topic. That was, initially, what scared me as a young mother.
I was just going to comment on the aborted fetal tissue before I read the last comment. There are seven vaccines that are derived from the lung tissue of aborted babies, these include both the MMR and chickenpox vaccine. Very scary stuff!!
There is a correlation between a pertussis outbreak AND a measles outbreak in the UK following falling vaccination rates. I'm not blaming anyone - I'm just observing the numbers.
I STILL don't think you should HAVE to vaccinate your child, but I will.
I was vaccinated, as was everyone I know. I don't know anyone with autism. Maybe it's coincidence. I don't know. But I respect a parent's decision so long as they are not putting the public at risk or risking their child's life.
(MMR are not fatal, usually, though 3 babies in the UK did die during the last outbreak.)
I work in the world's busiest airport. People from every single corner of the world come through ORD every day. And some of them are infected.
At any rate, there are MANY alternative vaccines which do not use the cell lines from the two aborted babies from the 1960s.
Not for every vaccine, but for many. If you have a pro-life physician, he or she should do everything possible to obtain these vaccines.
I just want to add that I didn't get the MMR until I was 18. The MMR wasn't even administered until the 1970s sometime. I was born in 1970. I had to get it as a requirement to go to the University of Florida. I wasn't the only one. There were tons of us 18-year-olds getting our MMR so we could go to college.
I was never around someone with measels, mumps or rubella and I didn't travel in my first 18 years to countries where it was prevalent.
I think what I wrote above is important to note because back in our day, we were not vaccinated to the point that children are being vaccinated today. Sure, I had chicken pox as a two-year-old, but I got over it. The vaccination list in 1970 was much shorter than in 2007.
Speaking of that, guys, if you google "Find a pro-life physician" there are websites which can help you find one.
Unfortunately, there are either exceptionally few pro-life physicians (what an irony) or there are not many who register on these types of sites.
I found ONE in Chicago, Dr. Eugene Diamond (who's apparently a fantastic pediatrician who frequently writes for Priests for Life), and he's waaaay down on 111th Street. I called his office to ask if he was taking new patients and told him why, and he asked where I lived. I told him, and he graciously said, "Let me try to find you someone closer to your home. I'll make some phone calls. Can you call me back tomorrow?"
So I am hoping this pans out. If not, I'm quite willing to drive to 111th.
I also found some pro-life OB/GYNs on the site.
Be careful with medical terminology. A medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion. I hate this because having had 2 miscarriages I always correct the physician who refers to it as "spontaneous abortion" The MMR does have the fetal tissue of a baby who was spontaneously aborted (miscarried). Unfortunatly, the chicken pox vaccine is from a baby that was aborted. You really have to dig deep, when it comes to pro-life stands on vaccines. Good luck to all of you wonderful mothers who are prayerfully trying to do the best for your children...it is such a hard task...we Mom's need to support each other regardless of the decision we each make.
Kathryn
Kath,
It is well-documented that one of those babies was a boy at 14 weeks who, in the 1970s, was aborted for "psychological reasons."
The other baby was a girl, 3 months, who was aborted in 1964 because her parents (still married, by the way, and living in Stockholm) had "too many children."
Neither of those children were miscarried. That would dramatically change the scenario in my mind.
By the way, EVERY MOTHER should read this website:
http://www.cogforlife.org/
fetalvaccinetruth.htm
Here's a tidbit:
More abhorrent than ESCR, is the “up-close and personal” state of the babies slaughtered for vaccine production. For it is quite possible these tiny, fully formed human beings could have been alive at the time of dissection and at may have had the capacity of feeling the pain of the surgeon’s knife. Consider the following, from immunologist, Dr Peter McCullough’s book, The Fetus As Transplant Donor the Scientific, Social, and Ethical Perspectives, as reported by Dr. Bernard Nathanson about the methods used in harvesting fetal tissue in Sweden where the WI-38 abortion and others were performed:
“For example, he talks about how in Sweden they have been puncturing the sac of a pregnant woman at let us say 14 to 16 weeks, and then they put a clamp on the head of the baby, pull the head down into the neck of the womb, drill a hole into the baby's head, and then put a suction machine into the brain and suck out the brain cells. And this is directly from his book. Healthy human fetuses from 7 to 21 weeks from legal abortions were used. This is in Sweden. The conception age was estimated from crown rump length and so on. Fetal liver and kidney were rapidly removed and weighed. Now at 21 weeks, what they were doing, or 18 weeks, or 16 weeks, was what is called prostaglandin abortions. They would inject a substance into the womb. The woman would then go into mini-labor and pass this baby. 50% of the time, the baby would be born alive, but that didn't stop them. They would just simply open up the abdomen of the baby with no anesthesia, and take out the liver and kidneys, etc.” [23]
Even more distressing is the fact that there was no need for any abortions to be done in order to create a rubella vaccine. There were already two licensed rubella vaccines on the US market: the Cendehill and Merck’s HPV-77, both of which use animal cell lines – and both of which are still licensed today and could be brought to market at any time. [24] The efficacy and safety of both vaccines is not an issue either as they rate pretty much the same as the present day rubella.[25]
Assuming then that a new vaccine was desired for some other unknown reason, again, it was not necessary to isolate the virus through abortion. There was an epidemic - scientists could have done exactly what the Japanese did: they swabbed the throat of an infected child! Nor was it necessary to cultivate the rubella virus on fetal cell lines, also evidenced by the Japanese who cultivated their vaccine on rabbit cells.[26]
In addition, during the development of the tainted rubella vaccine, Stanley Plotkin had the choice of using either a fetal cell line taken from a miscarriage or the aborted fetal cell line WI-38, both of which he concluded, were equally capable of sustaining the rubella virus for cultivating the vaccine. [27]
So why use aborted fetal cell lines at all? It is crystal clear that the method used was done solely to validate the benefits and to advance aborted fetal research, which in turn has advanced huge profits for the abortionists, researchers and the pharmaceutical industry.
Ma Beck,
Those people are monsters. I hate to say it but that's why hell is a reality.
Beth,
As far as vaccines, Japan doesn't vaccinate until after age 2. So waiting a year may be an option.
My girls were vaccinated, one fully, one as a baby but not since, and my son one set. We are planning to go to Cancun so I may get everyone up to date. But vaccinating as babies is something I avoid for the most part.
It's up to the parents to get the information and make the decisions that right for their family. Blessings!
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