Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey talk about Evan on Good Morning America
At the Green Our Vaccines rally earlier today, actors Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey were on hand to lend their support and their celebrity to a cause that is near and dear to both their hearts. Since Jenny’s son Evan Joseph, 6, was diagnosed with autism in 2005, the 35-year-old actress and author has been outspoken in her advocacy of the biomedical approach to treating the complex neurological disorder. Green Our Vaccines does not suggest that parents forego vaccinating their children; Instead, it is a campaign which calls for the elimination of toxins from childhood vaccines as well as a less aggressive vaccine schedule.
In their efforts to draw attention to the rally and the issue, the couple sat down this morning with Good Morning America and spoke at length about Jim’s special relationship with Evan. Recalled Jenny,
When I first introduced Evan to Jim, you know…you never quite know what to expect. A lot of people don’t understand, when they meet a child with autism. You have to be very animated to get that child’s attention, and I think I can tell you that I have the most animated boyfriend in the world. But he really had a way of understanding Evan’s thinking. And I watched it and went ‘Oh my gosh, he’s got it.’
Click ‘continue reading’ for more from the interview.
Jim noted that "there is a difficult moment" when you first meet a child with autism.
They have issues with intimacy. There’s not a lot of closeness. They don’t want to be touched. It’s tough to get them to focus on you when their mind is somewhere else it wants to be. It took a lot of patience and a lot of love.
Jenny has often referred to Jim, whom she began dating in December 2005, as the "autism whisperer" because of his unique ability to connect with her son. During this morning’s interview, Jim — who said he "has a lot of fun" with Evan — revealed the reason behind the nickname.
One of the days I kind of broke through, I think possibly why [Jenny] calls me the autism whisperer…I would try to talk to [Evan] and I couldn’t get his attention, and was always saying ‘EVAN, EVAN, EVAN!’ So one day I thought, ‘I wonder if this will work?’ (Whispered Evan’s name twice) And it got his attention immediately, because it interested him. That’s what these kids need, something to grab their interest.
In a separate interview this afternoon with People, Jim said he never would have "seen the greatness of Jenny’s spirit" were it not for her son, whom he credited with teaching him "how to love." Jenny believes Evan — thanks to a gluten-free, casein-free diet, anti-fungal treatments, vitamin and mineral supplements and other therapies — has made great strides since his initial autism diagnosis; It’s an assessment Jim told Good Morning America he agrees with wholeheartedly.
I know it first-hand, I’ve seen the change [in Evan], and it’s miraculous.
Evan is Jenny’s son with ex-husband John Asher.
Sources: Good Morning America and People; Photo by Yuri Gripas/Reuters/Landov
- Posted on Jun 4, 08 at 4:15PM
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- 47 Comments
June 4th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
It was a great interview and I applaud Jenny and Jim!!
June 4th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Since this is a site read by mothers, I think it is important to point out that what she is arguing for is EXTREMELY controversial. I have researched this topic extensively as a medical professional and there is NO evidence vaccines and autisms are connected (there is a stronger connection with ulcerative colitis but you don’t see people protesting that). I am in no way demeaning what she is doing – I think McCarthy’s evolution to activist for her son is raising awareness for the cause and helping the autistic community and I applaud her for that. However, Babies receive more mercury (the supposed culprit) in one day of breast feeding then they do from all of their vaccines put together. Are you going to stop breast feeding? NO! PLEASE GET YOUR CHILDREN VACCINATED. We risk major medical epidemics if you do not protect your children against these dangerous and lethal infections.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
i absolutely love her.
her books are honest and uplifting.
i recommend picking one up if you haven’t already.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Bravo Jenny and Jim!!!! I love how Jim loves Evan and how they all seem to get a long!!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I’m going to disagree with C, don’t blindly do anything to your children because your dr says so. At the same time don’t go to novax.com and blindly do what they say. Research it yourself, decide what is right for you. I personally do not agree with the schedule the APA has set up right now and some of the specific vaccines, each family has to do what is right for them based on their research.
I’m very glad that Jim found Jenny and Evan, they seem like a very loving family
June 4th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Well said, C. I was ready to rant a little bit more angrily until I read your more thoughtful post.
I really think it’s a bad thing that they’re promoting the idea that the things they’re doing with diet and such are causing this “miraculous” transformation. This is a very biased observation of one person, with whom they are very emotionally invested. I have worked with someone with autism for several years now, and he has also made tremendous progress over the last 8 years. I have some ideas about behavioral interventions that helped this process, but I’m not about to claim that I can tease out how much we’ve helped him with specific things and how much he’s just grown up on his own over that period.
Please think critically when you read this stuff, people. (I don’t mean to assume that most of you can’t do that for yourselves without my telling you. But just in case you need me to tell you–do it!)
June 4th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I love what Jenny and Jim are doing…because whether you agree or not, they are doing what they feel best for their little boy and nobody can fault them for that. They are putting a face and a name on something that affects 1 in every 150 children…bless them for that. I also want to stress–that they are not saying DON’T vaccinate your kids–they are asking for vaccinations with no toxins in them and to space them out more than they are right now–Jenny has said that MANY times–that she’s not ANTI vaccination…
June 4th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
C….Jenny is NOT advocating going without vaccinating. She is only trying to rally for better vaccines, and less vaccines over a short period of time. There used to be around 10 vaccines a child would receive over their first 1-1.5 yrs. Now its over 30. There HAS to be a way to slow it down. Vaccines do contain toxins. It has been proved in at least one case I know of that a vaccine did contribute to one girl’s autism. What I think is that some children may be genetically pre disposed to autism and that maybe something in a vaccine could trigger it.
All we are trying to say is there are too many vaccines given too soon. A hard look at the vaccine schedule wouldn’t hurt. And a hard look at what is actually in each vaccine wouldn’t hurt either. It actually can only help.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Tink1217:
Thank you for sharing, but please before you tell mothers what’s best for their children let them decide– mothers need to educate themselves! Vaccinate THEMSELVES and THOSE AROUND THEIR CHILD! If all adults were vaccinated why would we need to vaccinate our infants? who would they get the diseases from? Why can’t we wait 2 years before we vaccinate our children– and I mean this with the most respect. But before you tell mothers that they NEED to vaccinate their children tell them they need to educate themselves and make the best decision for their families! I am a mother with a healthy beautiful 8 month old UNVACCINATED baby girl! She will be vaccinated eventually- but I did my research! Please do yours!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I agree C; I hope people who blame vaccines for Autism don’t discourage other parents from getting their children vaccinated. I’m a pharmacist so I know that the only vaccines with the chemical in question that they say contributes to Autism is the flu vaccines, and thats not even in all of them. But there is no actual proof that this chemical is linked to Autism. I’m not trying to call these parents liars because I know they have good intentions but I think they’ve been misinformed, unfortunately.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Rob…Jenny McCarthy is not promoting a one size fits all treatment to autism; as you have suggested. She simply wants to educate parents what all of the options for treatment are. What works wonders for one child, may not help another with the same DX. You should read the book about her son. She does stress that she is not claiming a “miraculous” transformation for all people with autism (if they would only follow her advice). LOL
As a mother of three young boys, one of which with a dx of autism, I can say that it is refreshing to have a famous mother talking so boldly about her experiences. I feel as if it IS doing good talking about the different treatment options. Many parents are overwhelmed while sorting out which treatments they will decided for their children. I applaud Jenny for shedding light on this epidemic.
Remember…you would probably feel much different if YOUR child was affected by this.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
McCarthy has said MANY times that what worked for her and Evan won’t necessarily work for every child with autism out there, and that you, as the mother, should make your decisions based on what you think is right for your own child, just like she’s done.
I don’t necessarily agree with all her viewpoints & ways she phrases things (I’ve nannied for 2 boys with autism for nearly ten years) but the awareness she and her son are raising toward autism and autism research is well worth any disagreements, I feel.
I think someone mentioned this already but if you read closely, even CBB’s post says she’s not anti-vaccination, she’s only advocating the vaccination process be more spread out and looked into more. With so many new things inside such a small little person so fast, who knows what they may (or may not) be doing? Why shouldn’t it be continuously reevaluated? Maybe stretching these vaccines over more years will do nothing different for most babies, but for a few it might not. Don’t be so defensive, guys.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Here in Milwaukee, we’ve had a minor outbreak of measles, rubella and other diseases. Some of the adults hadn’t be vaccinated, others have, it’s sort of confusing and they’re investigating it.
There’s the herd mentality though, if the herd is vaccinated, there’s like a saftey net, protecting those that are too young for vaccines, have comprised immune defiencies etc. However, when other children, or adults, aren’t vaccinated, then there are holes in the net, creating overall danger for those are at the most risk and who haven’t been protected. Do your homework. Do your research. But don’t be naive. These diseases are deadly and serious, when I look at my own family tree I can see that without a doubt. People died from what would seem like the most “simple” virus, cold, or disease.
Also, to the poster who said that if all adults were vaccinated, children would be protected, how so? I’m not sure where that logic comes from.
In the end though, I applaud this family for raising awareness and encouraging further research and study.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I have researched this a lot and so far, no studies have proven a link between vaccines and autism. There are some studies going on right now though, that will probably be published in a year or two. I do wonder why so many vaccines need to be done right away, and maybe I’ll wait for some for my child. However, Kim, we can’t control the people around our children getting vaccinated. It’s a good theory that if all adults were vaccinated we wouldn’t have to vaccinate our children, but realistically that’s not going to happen. For instance, my family are immigrants and there are diff. vaccine rules in diff. countries. NOT trying to bash anyone’s decision to hold off on getting their child some of their vaccines though, just that there is a risk either way. And while as I mentioned, no studies have proven a link between autism and vaccines, I believe Jenny mentioned in an earlier interview the rare risk of vaccines causing some disease with vaccine in the name that can look very similar to autism. If I find the name I’ll post it and a link.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
There is enough mercury given to a child in the first three years of life than is found to be safe for a grown man, by something like 500 times. It is false that a child receives more mercury breastfeeding than in shots. But, more importantly, current vaccines contain formaldehyde and antifreeze, so it’s not all about the mercury. Children who are predisposed to be affected by toxins are vastly affected by the toxins in these vaccines, unnecessary ingredients. The parents who can tell a difference in their child before and after a vaccine are too large in numbers to ignore, yet everyone ‘pro-vaccine’ does just that when they scream ‘get vaccinated or you’ll pass your illness on to my kids.’ If your vaccines worked, you’re safe, right? It’s easy to blow off when it doesn’t affect your family, but when it does, your viewpoints may change. And it will at some point, be it a niece, nephew, step-child, grandchild..you get the picture.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
One other thing I forgot to mention. Evan, Jenny’s son, is far from the only child to undergo a recovery after using biomedical therapy. There are THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS who have found some measure of improvement. Who is anyone to say that’s wrong? It doesn’t help everyone, because everyone’s genetically different (hence not everyone getting autism in the first place) but if it has even helped one child, why not share. It’s a success story and she’s worked hard for her son to get him to this point. It’s amazing and worth some consideration regardless of whether or not you have an autistic family member…yet.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
whoa Kim…when did I tell anyone what to do??? I was giving my opinion and its one I happen to share with Jenny and Jim. I never said to do this or do that. I think the schedule of vaccines should be looked at closer along with the ingredients in vaccines. I am a mother of an autistic boy and I have done quite a bit of research. Especially as it pertains to my son. I did in NO WAY say everyone should vaccinate. And in no way did I say those that do not are awful people or uneducated. And my comment about less vaccines should have said…less vaccines over a longer period of time. I typed it wrong. Even with your polite beginning to your post I felt completely attacked by the end of it. I have a child with autism and have never discouraged or encouraged vaccinating either way. It is up to the parent. I fully believe my son’s MMR vaccine contributed to his autism and developmental delays as it was given prior to the time that thimersol was removed.
I don’t know how I ended up ticking anyone off. I thought my post was fine. Except for that one part I mis typed.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
ok to correct my previous comment, jenny talks about “vaccine injury” (which i assume is where a child has an allergic reaction to something in the vaccine): http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/04/jenny-mccarthy.html
Also, in that article she is upset that people tell her evan was misdiagnosed. why is that so impossible? perhaps researchers will discover that a subset of autism (as it is a spectrum disorder) can be treated through a change in diet, or that that illness is a diff. one entirely? i have marfan syndrome and when i was diagnosed, that was about the only major connective tissue disorder doctors knew about. now, years later, many people who thought they had marfan are learning they have a related disorder instead. nothing wrong with new research!
in any case, i think she is a great parent for being so proactive about her son’s diagnosis and in bringing so much attention to autism.
June 4th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Seriously people, PLEASE do your research prior to condemning Jenny for her efforts. What she is basically saying is that ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL. There is a set regimine for children to receive multiple vaccines throughout their first years of life. She is simply saying they need to be made safer and spread out. Two of my four children have Autism and I was AT the rally this morning. Bravo to Jenny for standing up and giving us a voice. Maybe it’s not the vaccines doing it, but at least the issue of this epidemic is finally going public & to Washington. It’s every 1 in 150 kids people! If 1 in 150 American kids were being kidnapped everyday, we’d have an epidemic. We do …. it’s called AUTISM. Isn’t it time we did something about it?
June 4th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
heather, if you are talking about thimerosal- it is not in the flu vaccine that is given to children under 24 months anymore. it is optional to give the thimerosal free vaccine to children up to age 5 as well. not expressing any opinions, just facts.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
You know, the reason that we Americans can even have this discussion is because we don’t have to worry about the diseases that these vaccines protect us against. We stil have her immunity and will continue to have that as long as the percentage of those vaccinated stays above a certain number.
In some countries, mothers walk miles to get to clinics that will provide them with valuable vaccines that will protect their children who might otherwise die from these diseases. Even in this country, there are parents who will spend hours in line at neighborhood clinics waiting for the chance for their children to be vaccinated.
My concern with what Jenny McCarthy is going is not that she is suggesting that toxins are in all vaccines or that schedules should be altered, but that she is supporting a link between vaccinations and autism that has been shown to be untrue in multiple research studies. Yes, all families should do their research and educate themselves, but what about those who don’t, what about those who get scared by a link that doesn’t seem to exist and forego vaccination completely?
What happens when our herd immunity is gone?
June 4th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I think that if a parent wants to go without vaccinating their child, they should speak to those from the generation where there were not vaccinations. Feel free to ask my grandmother how her family felt to lose a three-year-old to measles (mind you, he got the measles and went blind all before he got menangitis and died). Or my doctor whose dad woke up one day and couldn’t move his legs (polio). My mom was born right before the mass polio vaccinations,and when she was a baby and got a cold, my grandmother would stay up all night holding her and weeping for fear that she had contracted polio.
The reason moms nowadays can be so cavalier about vaccinating at their own leisure (if at all) is because two whole generations of moms have bitten the bullet and vaccinated their children so they wouldn’t have to watch their children die or become incapacitated from horrific contageous diseases–thereby reducing exposure to these diseases to virtually nothing for everyone else.
Find me empirical proof that shows the current vaccintion schedule leads to autism, because all the people I knew in my generation had the hardcore vaccinations and I never knew one person diagnosed with autism. I’ve actually known more than few people who suffer from severe conditions due to their mom overusing antiobiotics when they were little. But I digress…Measles is not like chicken pox or little Cindy Brady with cute little spots. It can make boys sterile and kids have to sit in the dark for days or else their eyes can be damaged.
Kim–Hospitals in the US dealing with outbreaks of infections like measles are finding that the Case 1 (the person who had it first) is often an immigrant or someone who was exposed to it in another country. (I’m not saying anything about immigrants, simply that many countries don’t have the national vaccination opportunities that the US has so the chances of getting it are higher). Not following the vaccination schedule can end up lessening its effectiveness.
http://www.nbc10.com/health/16063413/detail.html
From what I understand, the mercury-derivative in vaccines that is in question is no longer used. And if you don’t want mercury in your body, you shouldn’t eat that much seafood either. But I have yet to see marches against seafood…LOL
June 4th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
My children have gotten a few shots and I have also refused a few shots (like the one for chicken pox). What Jenny is standing for is making the vaccine contain some other form of serum that might not be as harmful as what is in the current does. Education is also the best medicine.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Just think parents who don’t vaccinate their children are putting others at risk. If you choose to not give your kids the vaccinations then maybe you should keep your kids away from others, because they will endanger other children.
I do agree that 30 is too many in a 1 and half time. I don’t remember getting that many shots as a kid. There does need to be some reform done on vaccinations, but not giving your kids them is NOT the answer.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I think kim is a little confused about who posted what.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Parents who don’t vaccinate/delay/selectively vaccinate are not putting anyone in harms way. You know who is? Adults who do not have their immunity checked and keep up to date on THEIR vaccinations. Everyone is always gung ho about vaccinations for children but they fail to even acknowledge that vaccine immunity wears off over time, which is what leaves adults at risk of exposure.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
just a totally unrelated side note — he has another daughter? Think she’s a little peeved that this new kid in his life is the one who taught him about love?
June 4th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
True Amanda. But, not all vaccines need boosters. Some are just given to babies.
June 5th, 2008 at 12:00 am
This is a really hard debate, people are so adamant on this issue. I think that all children should be vaccinated, you were, you are alive? I think it is so stupid when people are ignorant to things that come up in the media. RESEARCH. You have your opinions yes, but I also dont want to be the one held accountable for your decisions, when there is an outbreak and it affects my life, you better believe I will come after you. Someone asked who would we get the diseases from if adults were vaccinated? North America is not the only country, people travel to other countries (third world) where no vaccinations were given, we would bring it back with us, duh. People should head back to school.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:35 am
“Babies receive more mercury (the supposed culprit) in one day of breast feeding then they do from all of their vaccines put together.”
That is absolutely UNTRUE! Please don’t post ridiculous statements like that.
June 5th, 2008 at 2:25 am
I’m not getting into the debate about about whether vaccines are right or wrong, but I woud like to point out that the study that linked vaccines to autism has been widely discredited, and is therefore not reliable data.
Also, can I ask what vaccines your children have in America? I’m in the UK, and my daughter has 6 vaccines in 3 years, and I’m pro vaccination so haven;t refused any.
June 5th, 2008 at 6:05 am
Vaccines do have a risk and Jenny is saying that maybe it’s best to give vaccines when a child’s immune system is better developed.
June 5th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Poppy: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/downloads/child/2008/08_0-6yrs_schedule_pr.pdf
That’s the 2008 schedule for US vaccinations for children.
I’m on the fence with the issue. I don’t think we can say for certain at this point whether vaccinations do or don’t cause autism. It’s really only recently surfaced as an issue, and some devoted research needs to occur.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:00 am
You need to look at your lifestyle to decide whether or not vaccinating or nonvaxing is right for YOUR family. I absolutely believe that vaccinations are a good thing but they are given in far to great amounts at too young of an age. Right now I stay at home with our two children so I feel comfortable delaying their vaccinations. My first was fully vaccinated b/c he went to daycare and he was exposed to alot of different people (military) My youngest is not but will be when he turns two. Mercury isn’t the only thing that worries me. Check out the pink book at the Center for Disease Control. It will tell you all you need to know. It’s just NOT a good thing to inject little tiny babies with all those chemicals in the first two years of their life…when they are developing the most! How can anyone think that it wouldn’t have some kind of affect on some kids.
This was way longer than I expected but I wanted to add that Jenny is doing a great thing! Keep it up!
June 5th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Hmmm. I agree that we need more research regarding the number of vaccinations given and the relatively short time frame in which they are administered. I also agree that more research should be conducted regarding the combinations of vaccines given. However, this does not make me ‘anti-vaccine’. I am simply unable to disregard the decades of evidence supporting the use of vaccines. While I support every parents right to determine what is best for their children in terms of vaccinations, it’s really hard to swallow sometimes. Deciding not to vaccinate your children and then sending them out into the population- i.e. school – is just totally arrogant. I can’t help but feel that way. What if every parent decided not to vaccinate? What if we all chose to exercise our right to not vaccinate? Are we all prepared to face the consequences?
I’m not sure what the vaccination schedule was like in 1976, but my eyes were permanently damaged as an infant when I contracted measles before I had been vaccinated. My children, ages 2.5 and 1 do not attend day care or preschool yet and they have been vaccinated or have begun their vaccination schedules – but if either of them had contracted measles while being in day care – I would have been OUTRAGED.
Sorry, my two cents.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:14 am
When I have children someday, I’ll definitely have them vaccinated, but no one is going to convince me that it’s a good idea to have them receive dozens of vaccines at one time. My father knew grown men in the military who died from being given so many at once… their bodies just couldn’t handle it all (he witnessed this when he was drafted into Vietnam, and they were all put through “assembly lines” for vaccines). I bet that in 10, 20, or 30 years after many other longitudinal studies have been undertaken, we’ll find out that we were foolish in overloading kids with shots at such a young age. As for me, I’ll be doing a delayed schedule for my kids. I didn’t have vaccines for hepatitis, chicken pox, etc. when I was younger and I’m perfectly fine. I think some of them are just unnecessary.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Melissa and others: I appreciate that most of the posters here are not anti-vaccination ideologues. And it would seem that neither is Jenny McCarthy. But my complaint isn’t that she and Jim think they know how to fix everybody, but rather that they think they even know that the therapies they’re doing are working for Evan! I haven’t read her book, nor have I made any personal observations of her son. I’ve only heard second-hand reports from doctors and commentators in the media. But what bothers me is they’re making public statements about what treatments are producing miraculous outcomes for Evan, and they can’t know that any of those things are working. They might think so, but there’s no good evidence that I know of that any of the things listed (with the possible exception of “other therapies”)can have any effect on any conditions on the autism spectrum. Many parents will hear doctors/scientists saying these things don’t work, yet they’ll hear from this passionate mother saying “it worked for us,” and they’ll be torn. They’ll likely feel like they should be trying all this stuff themselves or they’re not doing enough as parents. And if they’re in the midst of trying something when there happens to be some improvement, then they’ll probably believe it was due to whatever they were doing at the time!
And Kerri, I think it’s great that you’re willing to withhold judgment until more evidence comes in, but there have been many studies done on the link between vaccines and autism. They’ve been negative. Here’s a link to a neurologist’s blog about the subject. He’s been very involved in writing about this issue for a long time:
http://www.theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php?p=37
Sorry about the long post.
June 5th, 2008 at 9:25 am
The fact about breast milk is actually accurate – given the fact that they have eliminated mercury from almost all vaccines and the few that still have it contain only trace amounts, if you eat a tuna fish sandwich and then breast feed you are passing on more mercury than in the vaccine. You’re right, if the mother has a diet that completely excludes mercury (meaning definitely no seafood), my previous statement was false.
June 5th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Wow, so much information about Autism…this will definatly help me when I have another child and decide what to do. Thanks!
I have a question though, can a child get autism pass the age of 5 years? I was wondering because my daughter got all the vaccines as a baby and my doctor is recomending she get the flu vaccine. I thought I read that once you hit a certain age there is no risk to become autistic.
Ps. I hope to find a man as nice as Jim, that loves my child and I
June 5th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I think he meant that Jenny’s taught jim how to love her son. I think!
June 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I love that Jim is supporting Jenny and Evan wholeheartedly. As a former aide to autistic children, I have heard and seen almost every alternative form of therapy or medicine for children with autism. One child that I worked with, his mother fully believed that the wheat free, gluten free diet was helping her son, which it was (with behovioral outbursts). But over time it stopped being effective for him and they chose to discontinue it. I have seen the numerous hurdles that these parents faces day after day and if I felt that a change in diet, a new trial therapy, whatever it is would help my child, by ALL means would I do it. I also have a friend who decided not to get specific vaccinations for her son (she has an autistic daughter and was very concerned)and she was allowed to have him begin school without the the vaccination ( i believe it was for chicken pox) because of a blood test he was given….Each parent will do what they feel is best for their child. As a parent of two girls myself, I have had them vaccinated for all that was required, but that is my choice. I applaud Jenny for looking out for the best interest of Evan, any good parent wants what is best for their child.
June 5th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Wow! As I read all of your posts, I am so happy to hear that more people are “aware” than ever (whether you agree or disagree with Jenny and Jim). I was at the rally yesterday and “felt” what parents feel. I am not a parent of a child with Autism, but I do work with children on the spectrum. As a result of being in the field, I have seen a great deal of our kids that have been fine until certain vaccinations. All I have to say is when and if I’m lucky enough to have kids, I WILL NOT vaccinate with the current schedule. I will vaccinate (which I think is the overall message we are trying to get across) but over time and slowly.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Stef – excellent post, I agree wholeheartedly.
Like Poppy, i’m from the UK and everyone I know is pro-vaccine. And like Poppy I recall that the study that linked vaccines to autism has been widely discredited, and is therefore not reliable data.
Autism is thought to be noticed in children when they get to injection age – this is why it SEEMS as if its the shot that’s bought it on – when it hasn’t, it was going to happen, shot or no shot. I believe that parents just want something or someone to blame when their child develops autism. Some things just happen.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:20 am
Jackie: I’m confused by what you’re trying to say in your post. If you are vaccinated, then why would it matter if someone else who has not been vaccinated exposes you to an illness. If you believe in vaccinations so much then why are you so worried they won’t work. You’re contradicting yourself in your post.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 am
Mercury in breastmilk..? ?Where the hell did that come from?? Since when is breastmilk dangerous? That’s just the most horrible piece of mis-information I have ever seen in my life!
If that were true, the babies in the 1800’s and 1900’s would all be autistic………but gee know.. it’s just RECENTLY that autism is running rampant.
What sort of fruitcake makes that sort of statement.!!
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
For C: yes, pregnant and breast feeding women should avoid too much fish ( and possibly take supplements of omega 3/6/9)but you are incorrect if you believe there is no mercury in flu shots given to babies ( and pregnant women)Fluzone Multi dose vial, for children 6 months and older, contains 25 mcg per ml..Fluvirin Multi dose vial for children 4 years and older contains 25mcg per ml.
For parents: if you want no thimerosal in your shot it should come from a single pre-made syringe,or be the flu mist kind.If the nurse is filling the syringe from a little bottle it is multi dose and has thimerosal.
The EPA says 2 parts per million is max mercury allowed in drinking water,and the FDA says the max allowable level in fish is 1 part per million.
Mercuy that is digested /eaten or drunk passes through the digestive system,and is mostly cleared out of the body.. Injected mercury can cross the blood/brain barrier.
Vaccines also contain aluminium, and some contain live viruses.Getting safer vaccines and perhaps going back to the schedule of the early 80’s where hard core illness such as polio were taken care of may end up being a good balance between risk and reward.1 in 150 child getting lifelong neuologicl damage is not acceptable.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
You know, I get that there is nothing scientifically to prove that autism can be linked to vaccinations..but tell that to my friend whose healthy, normal son developed the symptoms..AFTER HIS 3RD SET.