Red Flags - ProQuad: The new kid on the block

Parents concerned about the dangers of pharmaceutical companies developing more and more vaccines for our children (more vaccines = more revenue) have new reason for alarm:

"Parents dealing with vaccination decisions, on the other hand, seem to be going on faith alone, when they allow their one-year-old children to receive multiple vaccines together in an attempt to protect them against diseases that have disappeared or are so rare that medical students start and finish their training without ever seeing a case.

"On Sept. 6, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ProQuad™ by Merck. It is a combined attenuated live virus vaccine containing measles, mumps, rubella and varicella viruses for use in children aged 12 months to 12 years. The vaccine was also approved for use “if a second dose of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is to be administered.”

It appears that the following facts about ProQuad™ are acknowledged by its manufacturer:

• Efficacy studies were not done
• Safety studies never exceeded six weeks
• Protection against the four diseases is not 100 percent
• The duration of protection is unknown
• Risks exist
• Cost considerations are the primary advantages of combined vaccines"

When will it stop? Read on ...

http://www.redflagsdaily.com/yazbak/2005_sep26.html

Of Heros and the Pursuit of Greatness

When I was younger (much younger), I would often dream of greatness. Of having a name that people know, of status of some sort, prestige or outstanding skill in my field. Even today, when watching someone I admire on the news, I sometimes think, Wow, if only I could do that.

But as I am approaching 40, only days away now, I'm realizing that I've been redefining what greatness is, and often that definition is based on characteristics of those who may never consider themselves a hero, or someone to be admired.

I'm speaking of those who have taken a few seconds to write a quick encouraging note to me to let me know in the simplest way that someone out there cares, maybe that they are praying for us. It's the "ordinary" acts of kindness that mean so very much to me. Sometimes, it's that "I understand" smile from a stranger in a restaurant on a night when my tired family is acting up and should have stayed home, or a person at church who calls me to tell me of an article on autism they read recently. Things so simple, and yet mean so much. Simple acts that have literally turned a bad day around.

I'm trying to learn to live that way, too. In some small way to make someone else's day a bit better. I fail many times, but I'm learning to try more. And there is joy in living that way, in giving of myself and expecting nothing back. Of doing things in secret for someone and never seeking praise. When I am most depressed and bordering on self-pity, and face it, we all feel that way sometimes, the best therapy I know is to simply stop thinking of myself by focusing on some other need not my own. It's a bit of God's magic in it's ability to heal my broken spirit.

Okay, maybe I'm being a little philosophical here, but I just wanted to say that there are those out there, maybe reading this now, that have had such a striking impact on my life in simple ways and I doubt that they (you) will ever know it. You are my real heros. Real heros aren't superpeople, but real people who take a step to lift another up. Real heros give without taking, and the media doesn't glorify them, articles are never written about them, monuments are not built in their honor. But I believe those small acts of kindness leave a great mark on this world in ways that I bet they'll never know.

It's a legacy, as I turn 40, that I want to leave. As I enter this second half of my life, I don't want to be known for my name, or my position in this world, because the good Lord knows those things are nothing. Instead, I want to impact this world by the ripple effect of any kindness or compassion I can give. These things live on beyond me. These are the things that can change a dark world. Simple things. Small things. Things that anyone can do, but are often overlooked.

These are the things I am thinking of as I turn 40. But right now, I'm still in my 30's!

1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Alec napping after a hard day at Garr Memorial Academy. Poor little guy works so hard!
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American Academy of Pediatrics takes Blind Eye to Autism

- Report from A-CHAMP:

The American Academy of Pediatrics is having it's annual convention in Washington DC starting Saturday, Oct. 8. More than 6,000 pediatricians will gather to discuss and learn more about what is important to them. Given the crushing surge in the number of children's lives impacted by autism, now approaching 1 out of 80 boys in the US, a rational person would think this modern plague will no doubt be a top priority at the many educational seminars at the convention.

Autism, though, doesn't seem to be among the AAP’s priorities, according to the AAP convention website (proudly sponoserd by a grant from Astra Zeneca, a pharmeceutical company of course).

More than 350 educational sessions are planned. How many do you think are about autism? 30? 15? 5? Try 1. And that session is about the effectiveness of an anesthetic for use on kids with ASD.

For an abstract of the study and others presented at the convention check here. (Sponsored by Shire, your ADHD Support Company) New treatments? No. Mercury in Vaccines? Is this an issue? Epidemiology? What epidemic? Autistic enterocolitis? Nope. Chelation? Please... Nothing new.

That's why a whole bunch of parents, friends and family of kids with autism are going down to Washington on October 7 and 8 to not only educate our lawmakers on Friday but to educate the physicians who are doing nothing to help our kids.

Please join us. For more info see www.nationalforce.org

Note from Kelly: Okay, this time I'm in! I'm attending this rally with Ginger from Adventures in Autism. I hope others can come as well. I can't believe that they are totally ignoring autism in this way. It's a crime.

Help the Katrina Victims

A growing number of national autism leadership organizations have partnered to form AutismCares, a national initiative being launched to assist potentially thousands of Katrina families living with autism.

900 Autistic Children Affected by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana Alone

From Unlocking Autism

After speaking with state officials this morning, it has been learned that in the state of Louisiana alone, early estimates indicate that there are a minimum of 900 children with autism that have been displaced due to Hurricane Katrina. This number is based on the number of children in public schools who have been diagnosed with an ASD.

The five parishes in Louisiana that were hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina were homes to more than 1/3 of the children in Louisiana with autism. Those parishes include: St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Orleans and St. Tammany.

This only accounts for children ages 3-22 in the state of Louisiana diagnosed with autism and does not include any child in a private school, home based educational program, under the age of 3 or any adults.

The needs here are massive. Counseling say that families hit are in a state of trauma and shock. It is difficult to get them to focus on the fact that they need shelter, clothing and food and water. They are not at a point to think about schools and therapists and everything else that comes with having a family member that has autism.

Unlocking Autism appreciates volunteers who are offering to open their homes to help relocate these families. Many of these families that the organization has talked to want to stay in the area to see if they can eventually get back to their house to see if any personal belongings have survived, among other reasons for wanting to stay.

Many state agencies are working to help Unlocking Autism identify families as they come.
It is mind-boggling that the 900 number does not include the number of children displaced in Mississippi or Alabama as a result of this catastrophe.

For additionals information, see www.unlockingautism.org

Emergency Shelter Available For ASD Families

Camp Yocona, Toccopola, MS, has agreed to provide shelter for families with ASD children who have been hit by Hurricane Katrina. They have cabins that will sleep 8 and each group of 4-5 cabins has a bathhouse. A large, commercial kitchen and dining hall is available. They have a total of 350 beds.

A great GFCF cook has offered to come from Hawaii to help cook, etc. Contact Peg Pickering at asdkatrinarescue@yahoo.com or 662-488-9619 or 662-509-0599. Peg is mom of an ASD child herself and is committed to helping these families start over.

Legendary DJ & Podcast Enthusiast Develops Program for Artists to Raise Money for Notable Causes

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Ira Watson, aka DJ Come of Age, a DJ with a knack for finding talented independent artists of soul and R & B. Ira had an innovative idea with exciting potential.

When I spoke with him, he told me of his start as a DJ and how, as he began to incorporate independent music in his mixes, people would come up to him and ask "Who is that you're playing?" In case you don't know, he was using music produced by independent artists available for download on the internet. These include songs by inspiring artists not signed by major record labels. He began thinking and soon became a promoter of independent soul & R&B.

DJ Come of Age is a featured writer at Underground Soul, an independent organization specializing in online marketing, publicity, promotion and bookings for independent artists, DJs and record labels. In simple terms, he finds great music, mixes it, and promotes it.

DJ Come of Age, working with Markus Ekholm of Slowmo, a Swedish producer of a mixture of soulful jazz/neo soul, and club R&B/hip hop sounds, has devised an exciting new program, "Downloads for Dollars" which will raise money for charities and notable causes, bringing attention and support for those in need.

Starting September 1st, anytime you download the song "From A Window" on the album "Unheralded-The Neo Soul Project" by Slowmo on iTunes, MSN Music, and other services, thirty cents will go to help raise money for Alec's ABA therapy and school expenses. These are costs are not covered by insurance.

In addition, DJ Come of Age's DJ Consortium label will contribute $2 of every purchase of the new album "Hidden Souls 2" for Alec's expenses. The CD's are available only through CD Baby. "Hidden Souls 2" is a blend of neo soul, chilled grooves, and funky R&B.

DJ Come of Age told me that he pitched this idea to many charities and had no takers! One of my greatest de-stressers is taking my old (yes, I have one of the really old ones!) iPod out running, and listening to downloaded music. During this time, I draw close to God. I am a huge fan of the exciting new phenomenon of downloading music. I think the "Downloads for Dollars" idea has enormous potential.

Right now, we are seeing what is going to happen with Alec's ABA fund, but be assured, when this takes off, and I am praying it will, we will be expanding the program to fund ABA for many other autistic kids.

THANK YOU IRA and Markus for allowing Alec to be a part of your vision! I am so humbled by your generosity! I know the future holds exciting things for you, so I'm sitting back and watching it unfold!

Notes on Autism:

1 in 166 children are now diagnosed with autism, a frustrating disorder hindering normal development of the brain. Autism disorders affect social interaction, sensory processing skills, cognitive functions, and the ability to communicate with others. However, new scientific studies indicate that a combination of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy (recommended by the Surgeon General in the treatment of autism) and promising biomedical therapies can greatly improve the prognosis of autistic children.

Our family can attest to this, as we have seen substantial improvement since Alec's original diagnosis in the May of 2004. However, current costs for Alec to receive ABA and medical treatments are high, and most of which are not covered by insurance. This is the plight of families battling autism.