Awful, awful news.
I hate to report sad news, but this story needs to be told. Today, a story will come out in the news about a family whose five year old child with autism died while undergoing chelation therapy. The family, from the Pittsburgh area, was seeing a “doctor” who claimed to follow the DAN! protocol. (Details are sketchy at this time — we are unsure of the doctor’s qualifications. We will keep you posted.)
The child died in the doctor’s office, while undergoing therapy.
Cindy Waeltermann
AutismLink Director
This isn’t the time for anger or condemnation but I would urge everyone who uses Chelation to please think long and hard about it. Unproven science is frequently deadly science. I’m sure I’ll have something more passionate to say on the issue at some point but right now all I can feel is pity for a dead little autistic child.
Left Brain Right Brain 
All I can think of is growling “murder” in the face of Lenny Schafer and David Kirby, NoMercury, SAFEMINDS and the rest including the Autism Society of America.
The parents of this boy must be horrified. I’m sure he was a precious little boy. It just makes we want to blame those who have pushed this chelation therapy for a non-existent mercury problem.
Erik if you read this your website is partly to blame for this boys death. I see blood on your hands, too.
Sorry, Kevin. I’m not going to be charitable.
Doctor Usman will speak in the UK in October, maybe some autistic children will be dead there by November from chelation “therapy”.
Dr. Usman didn’t personally chelate the boy who died while being chelated in a different doctors office, according to one unconfirmed source, but she was one of the boy’s doctors.
This is very sad, I agree. But in general, people sometimes die from chelation. If a person does it to attempt to alleviate symptoms for which it may be appropriate (say, heavy metal poisoning, or certain heart conditions), some percentage are expected to have complications, as far as I can tell. It seems to me that, as with anything one tries, proper supervision must be in place and there is always a risk involved.
Since there are likely people diagnosed with ASDs who in fact have something else, isn’t the most important concern that they figure out how to determine what is causing symptoms before they treat? I am not a vax==ASD type by any means, rather I think eventually a multitude of etiologies will be documented that all result in similar symptoms, and that is when things will be clearer as to which of us is the way we are meant to be, and which of us are the way something else is making us.
I myself am confident that I am a purely genetic Aspie, as I have a clear family pedigree of assosciated disorders (HFA, TS, clinical schizophrenia, etc.). But I think there are other people out there for whom *some* trigger has manifested symptoms that otherwise would not have appeared.
Of course, that’s just me! 🙂
As I mentioned on Diva’s blog, the even sadder thing is the immediate reaction of the EOHarm board – they’re basically going into “denial” mode.
Again, I ask the question…why would parents feel like it’s acceptable to try potentally dangerous therapies like chelation? Especially without reasonable evidence that they’re effective for the condition in the first place.
Yet at the same time I hear claims that clinical trials for vaccines involving thousands are “not enough” to prove safety and effectiveness.
I have checked google.news a couple of times, and there is nothing in the mainstream media at the moment. I would withhold comment until something more substantial is revealed.
I think its really sad, of course – but I also think it was just a matter of time, if its unproven, its unsafe.
I am sick to death to think that this boy was killed by an attempt to make him less autistic.
I am not at all surprised that the chelation defenders’ first reaction wasn’t “maybe this isn’t such a good idea” but “the story must be wrong.”
From here http://www.quicktopic.com/27/H/vJvhV4fDnBgw7
Autistic boy dies during controversial treatment”, see story http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05236/559444.stm
You can see responses to this here http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/ (you do not have to join to read messages, which are public). It is claimed that the autistic boy who was killed had an allergic response to the chelating agent. I have no idea if this is accurate.
Here is one response to a child being killed by chelation: “I hope those responsible for giving that child autism burn in hell.”
And in this message http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism-Mercury/message/147890 , a person writes a letter to the newspaper which printed the story, and takes the opportunity to promote Generation Rescue, a group which promotes chelation as a cure for autism.
Chelation killed this child, who is no longer autistic, but dead. The long list of those responsible for this child being deprived of his life would unroll for miles. Is there really nothing at all more devastating than having an autistic child? Than having that child grow up into an autistic adult?
Okay, I’m going to go cry now.
(still crying)
Michelle,
I know we have our serious differences. But I can sympathise entirely at your sadness here, and I can understand the crying.
I cannot understand the mindset that goes like this and turns it into a religion; a religion of hate for something that is (as far as I am concerned) extreme but natural variation.
I think it’s time to round on the Vax=Autism let and commit them to secure hospitals, to at least prevent more kids dying needlessly.
Autism, such as it is, didn’t kill that kid: people did.
Sorry you are so much affected by this. I am too, but in a different way.
Do we agree in our indignation at the fact that people let this happen? I certainly can’t think of anything better to agree on.
Dunno what to wish for you, Michelle… not much can console in this situation. Personally, I’m gutted.
Best wishes,
David
The coroners have his body. What if they find no mercury at all was ever in his brain?
He was killed to make him normal. Well he’s as normal as any dead child now. He’s absolutely a typical dead child. Except that a coroner has his body.
The doctor was an allergist from what I found on the web. I can’t confirm that, but it doesn’t look like he knew a thing about chelation.
I can only wish punishment on everyone who has contributed to the mirage called the “autism epidemic”.
The EoH lot really gi’ me the bowk.
I am going to a conference today, and won’t get to see much in the way of internet stuff. I’m going to tell people about the child who died; I predict that – even in Finland (usually well behind the times with its autism knowledge) – it will be a point of horror. Sometimes, being behind the times in “treatments” for autism, you know… maybe it’s a blessing, eh?
Going off now to vomit.
David
Camille wrote: “The parents of this boy must be horrified. I’m sure he was a precious little boy. It just makes we want to blame those who have pushed this chelation therapy for a non-existent mercury problem.
Erik if you read this your website is partly to blame for this boys death. I see blood on your hands, too.”
My hands are clean, Camille. My daughter sees a DAN! doctor (the doctor in this story does not follow DAN! protocol…and DAN! doesn’t use IV EDTA. It’s inappropriate for mercury toxicity)
We use the much more gentle TD-DMPS. It is a very gradual chelator…and we tested it at very low doses, gradually increasing it to verify that my daughter wouldn’t react negatively to it. We check her mineral levels regularly, and supplement what is lacking.
But I don’t know where you get off saying “nonexistant mercury problem,” when these kids have been TESTED for mercury. My God, my daughter’s mercury & aluminum levels are off the charts! And tin, depleted uranium, beryllium…and a whole bunch of metals that she isn’t able to excrete on her own. I suppose you think we should leave those in there?
I won’t allow it. And I’ll tell you something else. If I were the father of that child who died…I’d still defend the general practice of using chelation to treat heavy metal toxicity.
One more thought: When you consider all the ailments of this world, and some of the methods used to treat them that sometimes can be quite harsh on a body, you’re going to have a few people who won’t benefit from it. Take Chemotherapy, for instance. Folks who would otherwise be terminally ill have been cured of cancer by taking a highly toxic therapy to kill cancer cells. Sometimes people die from chemo…but you don’t hear cancer patients screaming that chemo should be condemned, do you??? Maybe a few… And chelators aren’t anywhere near as harsh as chemo therapy!
Look at how many kids have been prescribed Ritalyn, antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals that resulted in deaths. I don’t see a general backlash against the use of those drugs…
Point is, when you have a dangerous substance in the body that is likely causing neurological damage…you remove it. Chelation CAN be dangerous if not prescribed and adminsitered properly. But so can any other drug.
I’m sorry that you, and your little friends at AutAdvo, are angry…but it’s no excuse for condemning those who have found an effective way to help their kids.
If my daughter is still in diapers at the age of 22, and has not achieved some level of independence, then I think I will have failed as a parent. Horribly.
Erik – your ignorance regarding autism is astounding. Your desperation to deny your complicity in an event like this is sickening. Your attempt to rationalise it by comparing chelation to ritalin is absurd.
Your right though – chelation really does seem to be effective at curing autism. That little boys certainly not autistic anymore is he? What he is now is at the very least an indirect result of chelation. Spin that fact however you want. It’ll never change.
You’ve got wax in your ears. You’ll never learn. My “complicity?” That’s NUTS! As I said in the other thread…we’re dealing with an incompetant doctor that screwed up with a drug that requires the utmost of caution. Chelation can be risky…especially IV pushes…which is why we don’t use it. But I’d rather choose chelation because its benefits outweigh the risks in the hands of a good doctor who can carefully monitor the child’s mineral levels, etc. The only other alternative is to leave those metals in a child’s body. Metals that were never intended to be there.
Metals that were ignorantly mandated by our vaccination program.
If you can’t understand THAT, you’ve probably got a head full of mercury yourself. Better test yourself, Kevin.
I’ll accept the judgment of history. But not yours. But don’t try to say there’s no science to back the practice of chelation. That’s pure ignorance on your part. Chelation has been used for decades to treat metal poisoning. And it will CONTINUE to be used.
ONE CHILD DIES from a doctor’s incompetance… and your group so greedily jumps on it as a chance to justify your cause. Our only concern, beyond our compassion for that family, is that the media maintains a balanced view of the situation and considers all the facts.
One last comment: When I recover my daughter, I’m going to ramp up the volume even louder. It’s going to be a very loud and resounding “I told you so.”
Erik, read what I wrote. I said chelation has no validity as a treatment _for autism_ . As I’ve asked you time and time again, if I’m wrong, show me the science. Why is it you never can?
If you seriously believe that any group would ‘greedily jump’ on the death of a child then I sincerely pity you. It must be awful to live with beliefs like that.
“One last comment: When I recover my daughter, I’m going to ramp up the volume even louder. It’s going to be a very loud and resounding “I told you so.—
Huh? Told me so about what?
Just as a matter of interest Erik – how long does the average chelation recovery take? I understand every case is different but roughly – how long?
Chelation is valid for metal poisoning… which is one component of regressive autism. Remove the metals and you see cognitive improvement. It is NOT a cure. Never was, despite what some in our camp might say. It must be done in conjunction with other biomedical and behavioral therapies in order to give a child a chance to recover.
“Just as a matter of interest Erik – how long does the average chelation recovery take? I understand every case is different but roughly – how long?”
I’m told that trans-dermal chelation takes (on average) twelve to eighteen months. I don’t know about the IV method. I just never wanted to use it. Chelating out metals, again, is only PART of a child’s treatment.
You’re asking me a lot of questions that could be answered by visiting ARI’s website. They are the authors of the DAN! protocol, an approach in which I believe.
“Chelation is valid for metal poisoning… which is one component of regressive autism. Remove the metals and you see cognitive improvement.”
Hearsay Erik. I asked for science.
“It is NOT a cure. Never was, despite what some in our camp might say. It must be done in conjunction with other biomedical and behavioral therapies in order to give a child a chance to recover.”
Interesting. You basically disagree with JB Handley and Generation Rescue then?
“You’re asking me a lot of questions that could be answered by visiting ARI’s website.”
Because I’m interested in _your_ opinions Erik. You’re the one posting here, not them.
It’s not hearsay. Anecdotal, perhaps. But not hearsay. I’ve seen it work. And I’ve seen results of lab tests. The toxicology reports don’t lie.
JB Handley is a good champion for chelation and the fact that our children received toxic doses of organic mercury in their vaccines. He also believes dental amalgams are an issue, as do I. However I think Generation Rescue is a bit limited in its scope to focus so heavily on mercury toxicity. Mercury is enemy #1 as far as triggers go…but helping these sick kids requires a lot more than chelation.
I stand behind ARI’s approach. They’re much more balanced… and they’re always looking for the next piece of the puzzle.
This was written by JB Handley today. sorry if it’s a bit long:
A child lost his life because his parents were trying to remove the
heavy metals from his body and he had an allergic reaction from the
drug being administered.
There is no way to sugarcoat what happened, all of our hearts go out
to the parents and family who are grieving, and, for many of us, this
hits very, very close to home and reminds us that no medical
procedure is 100% safe.
Will the press and mainstream medicine have a field day with this
story? Absolutley.
My wife and I welcome discussions with the press. Losing even one
life is too high a price to pay for healing our kids, and we need to
learn from this experience to make treatment even safer and more
effective.
To say that we are using “chelation therapy to treat autism” is a
misstatement. We are using chelation therapy, in our case, to treat a
medical diagnosis of heavy metal toxicity. That is what my son
actually has, that is what the dozens of medical tests we have run on
him show, and one year into chelation he has improved dramatically.
Autism is a psychological diagnosis, based on observed behavior. It
does not offer up a medical foundation or explanation for cause.
This case will be blown out of proportion. We can use this as an
opportunity to explain to the world why we are treating our children
(because they are heavy metal poisoned), how they are progressing,
and that we all know and accept the risk involved in making our
children better.
Of course, the press will probably not mention some of the ugly
truths that are out there about how our children die from other
treatments, so here are some resources to consider, in an attempt to
help the journalists reading this list put things into perspective:
1. Between 1990-2000, 186 reported deaths from Ritalin:
http://www.ritalindeath.com/
2. Children’s deaths from vaccines, as recorded by the CDC:
Chickenpox vaccine 1995-1998:
Between March 17, 1995 and July 25, 1998, 6580 adverse events –
including 14 deaths – were reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events
Reporting System in association with varicella vaccination—
Pediatric News 33(3):12, 1999.
For DPT vaccine 12,504 reports VAERS reports with 144 deaths per year
(1990-1993)
“In a year-long investigation of the Vaccine Adverse Reaction
Reporting System (VAERS) operated by the Food and Drug
Administration, NVIC/DPT analyzed VAERS computer discs used by the
FDA to store data on reports of deaths and injuries following DPT
vaccination. A total of 54,072 reports of adverse events following
vaccination were listed in a 39-month period from July 1990 to
November 1993 with 12,504 reports being associated with DPT vaccine,
including 471 deaths.”Campaign Against Fraudulent Medical Research
(CAFMR)
MMR vaccine VAERS reports 7 deaths per year (1990-1994):
“From July 1990 thro’ April 1994, 5799 ADRs following MMR vaccination
were reported to US Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS);
including 3063 cases requiring emergency medical treatment, 616
hospitalisations, 309 who did not recover, 54 children left disabled
and 30 deaths.”— John P Heptonstall
For OPV vaccine there were VAERS reports of 108 deaths per year over
a 5 year period.
“We commissioned an OPV Vaccine Report and started making all kinds
of other inquires. The OPV Vaccine report that we received was a
shocking report. It covered a recent period a little less than 5
years and the following is the summary for that period: The number of
Vaccine Associated events that occurred: 13,641 ..The number of
events resulting in death 540”–The Polio Connection of America &
Polio vaccine victims: http://village.ios.com/~w1066/poliov6.html
For Hep b vaccine there were VAERS reports of 54 deaths per year
(1990-98)
“The total 24,775 VAERS hepatitis B reports from July 1990 to October
31, 1998 show 439 deaths and 9673 serious reactions involving
emergency room visits, hospitalization, disablement or death.”–
Michael Belkin http://www.whale.to/vaccines/belkin1.html
“Since July 1990, 17,497 cases of hospitalizations, injuries and
deaths in America following hepatitis B vaccination have been
reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) of the
U.S. government. This figure includes 146 deaths in individuals after
receiving only hepatitis B vaccine without any other vaccines,
including 73 deaths in children under 14 years old. In 1996 alone
there were 872 serious adverse events in children under 14 years old
reported to VAERS. 658 of those injuries were following hepatitis B
vaccination in combination with other vaccinations and 214 of these
injuries were after hepatitis B vaccination alone. In these children
under 14 years old, there were 35 deaths after hepatitis B
vaccination in combination and 13 deaths after hepatitis B
vaccination alone, for a total of 48 deaths. Compare these statistics
with the total number of hepatitis B cases nationwide reported that
same year (1996) in children under 14, just 279, and the conclusion
is obvious that the risks of hepatitis B vaccination far outweigh its
benefits.”—Incao’s Hepatitis B Vaccination Testimony
http://www.geocities.com/growingjoel/murder.html
Jypsy, the page you link to is irrelevant to this topic. What is it you’re trying to say?
Actually, it is relevant to this topic. It lincludes links to kids being killed by restraints and other ways used to “cure autism”.
When I did a google.news check for the story using “autism chelation” I accidentally hit the “web” button… and got the normal google search. On the right hand side the first ad was for “Complete EDTA Body Detox, Safe and Gentle”.
Right.
Oh, and VAERS is not the best source of data for vaccines, especially when pushed through the whale.to site (John Scudamore is not only biased, but dishonest, http://members.tripod.com/vaccinesupport-ivil/antivaxsites/whale.html ). You are better off using the http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/ .
Anyway, you just go on telling people how to “cure” their children. Don’t let one little death get in your way.
Terrance Cottrell Jr. (Age 8, died 22 August 2003)
“The elder, identified as Ray Hemphill, sat on Cottrell’s chest during a prayer service held to drive “evil spirits” from out of him. The church pastor says the service was held in accordance with the Bible, and that church leaders were simply trying to heal boy.” (http://www.humaniststudies.org/enews/n20030827.html)
Jypsy, what does this have to do with chelation?
Its another example of ignorance masquerading as ‘treatment’ and being justified by ‘simply trying to help’.
I found this blog through my google search on the death of this child in PA. I was considering typing up something on my site, but instead decided to post on my forum about it.
I have two kids on the spectrum and basically write about their lives and everyday stuff. They are not on any diet, althought that might happen one day since I have severe eczema and might in part be due to diet. I have no interest in chelation, never been to a Dan conference or seen a DAN Dr.
My kids are enjoying life and we are doing the best that we can. Autism is not the end of the world – my family has a history of disabilities and it is just part of our genetic makeup.
Feel free to participate on the forum:
http://forums.bellaonline.com/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=369
I also read through the growing joel geo cities site and found it quite fascinating. Very good research – I am going to save it and if I may share it with a future article as a related link.
Bonnie
One more time, with feeling.
JB Handley can talk about VAERS reports and deaths reported from the use of Ritalin, which are total non-sequitors. Vaccines and ritalin were actually tested in legitimate clinical trials before they were administered to a wide population.
Do they have untoward side effects? Sure. But we have a reasonable idea what those are and parents can accurate make risk-benefit assessments. Without such evidence for biomedical treatments, parents are just basically flying blind, depending solely on testimonials and blind faith in their doctor. The irony of that should not be lost on anyone.
Hey, Erik?
Can you name the labs that are diagnosing your kids with that sort of a supply of heavy metals?
I mean, if those labs have credibility, people might stop saying they’re just lying to you to get your money.
So … can’t you name them?
I have known many autistic children, through my work as a therapist, and neighbors, and friends, over the last 12 years. Now many of them are adults. All of them have grown and changed in so many ways. Some had diagnoses change from PDD to Aspie, some were very noticeably different as children, and now function very well in many situations as typical participants. Those chelated? Due to their age, perhaps none. Some of my younger spectrum friends may have done chelation.
My point is, EVERYONE grows and changes. People are human first, and they develop (with the exception of those with degenerative conditions, which ASD’s are generally not.) So all this anecdotal evidence about children showing tremendous gains over the years (especially the little ones,) has always been the case for some. Kids on chelation are not being locked away and only recieving this treatment. They also go to school, have one on one therapies, and so many things that make ALL of our kids grow and change.
Kids with sensory issues become exposed to things that bother them, and either learn to adjust, we learn to adapt for them, or perhaps their brains grow and change, reducing some sensititivities.
Other neurologic disorders, like Tourette, have a course that features worse symptoms at different ages, and a change in symptoms after a time. RIght now the brain science says that overgrown nerve cells prune off at a certain point, again, for many but not all. Autism is also definitely neurologic (and I mean in brain shape, brain structures, and nerve cell distributions which begin prenatally,) the body of hard physical evidence is there. So the mercury debate…maybe it is a factor in some, but my opinion based on reading reasearch, is that the brain stuff is the real deal, and diet needs to support a different brain, but the metals are not a major factor.
My thoughts during this sad week. And how can someone be greedy over this tragedy, when those accused of greed have ZERO TO GAIN, but some (not parents,) espousing cure have money to make?
HN, I was quoting a message JB Handley sent through the EOHarm Yahoo group.
I’d like to bet my son will be MUCH more normal that Erik’s kid in 20 years. My kid got potty trained with good old fashioned parenting. Most people don’t even believe he’s autistic (I have the diagnosis of autism from a major state university). They just think he’s quiet! Oh well, hope he becomes a scientist like Professor Grandin. As I recall, she wasn’t chelated as a kid, but hey, to each his own.
Actually, I’ve been wondering about something…my family has a pretty normal life-we go the park, the movies, on vacation, visit with friends etc., and usually my boys have a really good time, even if it is not exactly in the same way as the other children. I have so much fun with them and my husband, and I know my children benefit from the “normal” atmosphere in which we raise them.
I wonder with all the crusading and interventions if these biomedical parents have any fun at all with their children. I see so many of these parents in the speech therapist’s waiting room with gloomy looks on their faces, hardly laughing, not enjoying life, and I wonder if their kids, aside from the autism, aren’t just copying their parents attitude. It seems if you raise your child to be a normally appearing adult, but went about it in such a way as to extinguish every bit of pleasure from their childhood and every bit of pleasure from being a parent, then that is a sad way to go through life for both parent and child.
Amen to that Diane!
My son is 19 now. Yes, I remember the challenges he had when he was little, with sensory issues and transitions and melt-downs, the usual. But my overwhelming memory was that we had a good time. We went places and did stuff, but had plenty of down-time, too. It was far from the nightmare that parents of young kids today describe. It was a wonderful experience.
Anne, thanks. Honestly, I see a lot of NT kids who act a LOT worse than my oldest son (he’s 4) out in public. He’s had a hard time with some transitions too, but with patience on our part he usually overcomes them.
About fun and normalcy: my good friend’s son would be in his late 20’s today. He died of a reason separate from his autism. However he travelled big time! Vacations, overseas, beaches, whatever it was, he went. He did not have verbal language abilities. (Later on he did FC.) His “therapists” were kids recruited from his school. In high school, they took him out driving, to eat, to whatever kids do. He was not seen as very typical, but he had many normal experiences which seemed to add to his flexibility as a person.
Many friends now have adult children, and did not have fancy therapies. Sometimes they do wonder what could be different, but overall, they feel their kids matured in ways that were normal, and they don’t regret not having to deal with regimens, appointments, staff issues, etc.
It is so hard to see that one so small would lose their life this way. As the mother of three small children, I do not know what I would do if I lost one of mine. My son Jackson will be 3 in November. He was diagnosed as autistic regressive in January of this year. Before his diagnosis, I took him to every kind of doctor trying to find out what was wrong with him. I had my son vaccinated (as every parent is instructed to) at 12 months. The reaction my son had was vicious. High fevers, rashes, vomiting, diarrhea. I watched my healthy, SPEAKING, normal child literally slip away right before my eyes. I have not hear my child say a SINGLE WORD since Dec 15, 2003. Watching my child struggle every day breaks my heart.
Some of you can say that there is a “NON EXISTENT” mercury problem. Let me ask you this then, can you tell me how my little boy has enough mercury in his system to make an adult sick? Can you explain to me why as a society we are so ready to allow the pharmaceutical companies to play roulette with our children? If thimerosal was so safe, why did they decide to remove it from SOME of the vaccinations that we are giving our children?
How can anyone say that there is no proof that there is a problem here that needs to be addressed? Would any of you allow one of your beautiful healthy children to be shot up with vaccinations containing thimerosal just to prove a point??? I highly doubt it. As parents we have to make tough decisions every day. Good, bad or indifferent, this is a responsibility that we assumed the day that we became parents.
As I stated earlier, I do not know what it is like to physically lose a child. But I can tell you right now, I know what it is like to watch a child slip away right before my eyes and have no way of reaching him. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that my son can live the best life possible. It is all trial and error. You have to be willing to accept the good with the bad. I have come to grips with the fact that I may never again hear my son say “Mommy,” but I have not lost hope that maybe someday I will hear that sweet voice again.
The light of the world can be seen through the eyes of a child. It shines brightly for all to see. Right now my son’s light is fighting to shine again in OUR WORLD. With hope one day, his light will shine brightly once again for everyone to see.
If I have learned one thing through all of this, it is to take nothing for granted. No little thing is ever trivial. Not a preservative in a vaccination, or a child saying “Mommy” for the 15th time in a a five minute period.
_”Let me ask you this then, can you tell me how my little boy has enough mercury in his system to make an adult sick?”_
Can you tell me how you came to that conclusion? Include the name of the mail-order lab you used.
_”Can you explain to me why as a society we are so ready to allow the pharmaceutical companies to play roulette with our children?”_
Can you explain to me how we as a society allow quacks to play _actual_ russian roulette with childrens lives. Autism isn’t fatal. Chelation is.
_”If thimerosal was so safe, why did they decide to remove it from SOME of the vaccinations that we are giving our children?”_
Because they saw that too much was being administered. Thats never been in question.
_”How can anyone say that there is no proof that there is a problem here that needs to be addressed?”_
Because there’s not. If you believe otherwise than cite your proof.
_”Would any of you allow one of your beautiful healthy children to be shot up with vaccinations containing thimerosal just to prove a point??? I highly doubt it.”_
You’d be right. I vaccinate my kids to prevent both them and other kids from disease. Not to prove a point.
First of all, I did not use a “Mail in lab test for my child.” I have some of the best doctors in the state helping my child. If you would like to know where the test on my child was performed, It was at Children’s Hospital. It was checked 3 times by different lab techs to make sure that the numbers were accurate.
Quacks???? I am sorry but the only quacks I see are the people walking around with blinders on that are too wrapped up in believing everything that they are told and taking that information as absolute truth.
As the parent of an autistic child, I know that I would be stupid to blame all cases of autism on one specific cause. There are several contributing factors and I am not questioning that. You have to be willing to look at both sides of the issue and ALL FACTORS that come into light.
I am not telling people not to vaccinate their children. I have a 4 year old that has received all of her vaccinations and has had no problem. I have a 16 month old child that has received most of his vaccinations (everything up to 12 months). I have made the decision to vaccinate him when he is older and his immune system is stronger. Is there a need to vaccinate? Absolutely, I would be stupid to say that there isn’t. But, I have seen first hand what happens to a child when they are given too many at once and as a parent, I am not going to subject another one of my children to the pain and suffering that my son Jackson has endured.
If you are going to twist what I said about vaccinations, that is fine. I asked if you would allow your child to be vaccinated with immunizations containing thimerosal to prove that there is no problem. Would you? Are you so sure that everything is fine that you would be willing to take the chance with your child’s health? I allowed my autistic son to receive the flu vaccination at my pediatrician’s urging. He told me that they were safe and did not have thimerosal in them. Once again I was lied to and my son paid the price. I once again watched him regress. We lost all of the progress that he made.
No autism is not fatal, but ignorance is and if you are unwilling to take all factors into account then you are just as blind as everyone else denying the problems.
As a society, we are so busy arguing over who is right that the real reason we are fighting is lost in the shuffle. I will not allow my son to be lost in the fight. Both sides have valid points and I (unlike some) am willing to look at all of the information that I am given.
No child should ever have to suffer, no matter what the cause. I have always said that if I was on the wrong track, I would apologize to those that I disagreed with. So far, I have not been wrong. I have the credible proof that my son has toxic levels in his system. It did not come from my home (had that checked too). It did not come from the water (drink only bottled water). Where did it come from? The only place that it could have come from, his “safe” vaccinations. Do all children become autistic because of this? NO, but should we forget about the children that do because we don’t agree with the cause?
As I see it Jen your issue is that autism is bad. I don’t see it that way. I’d be very curious to know what it is _exactly_ about autism that you think is bad. Please be specific.
re: immunisations: I’d be more than happy to have my kids immunised with vaccines containing thiomersal.
If your son is regressing after shots that the doctors claim don’t contain Thimerosal …
… have you considered the possibility that your doctors are NOT lying?
Maybe your son is regressing because he finds shots to be very TRAUMATIC?
I know that when *I* was a kid, I was terrified of shots; the only way I managed to get them was to be reading so that I didn’t even realize when I got the shot, because otherwise I couldn’t hold still – and I knew what a shot was for!
Jen, My situation is a lot like yours (from what I read). I also have three small children, oldest with autism and I truly believe in the biomedical treatments. Keep doing what you feel is best for your son, and one day he will say “mommy” again. My son also lost his langauge and regained it as soon as I took him off gluten. It does not work for all children, but many. Keep up the good work.
Sorry that it took me a few days to get back, I am in the process of moving.
To Kev, you asked me to be more specific as to why I think that autism is bad?
Who in their right mind wouldn’t think an impairment that robbed your child of speech, emotion, and the enjoyment of everyday activities was at least a little bit troubling? I would be lying to myself if I were to say that having an autistic child was easier than having a child that did not have the problems that my son does. And I am sure that you are going to ask me something smart along the lines of me having resentment toward my son for that and I will answer right now………ABSOLUTELY NOT! My son has changed my life in so many ways, he is truly my inspiration. That does not dismiss the fact that I am totally pissed off at the fact that I literally watched my son slip away from me right before my eyes.
Oh and for you saying that you would gladly give your child injections containing thimerosal……I think that you should pull up the MSDS on thimerosal and read what Eli Lilley states for “side effects.” If you are so brave then why don’t you offer up your children for a study and see how many parents follow in your footsteps.
To Sotek,
I have gone over that day a million times in my head. Jackson cried (just like his older sister did), but with a little distraction, he quickly got over it. Why do I think that doctors are liars…….because they lied to me! I voiced my concerns about vaccinations containing thimerosal. When the time came for the flu vaccinations, I specifically asked the doctor what type of injection he was giving my son. The generic name was Fluzone. He then told me that it was safe and I did not have to worry about the preservative in the injection because it was safe. I trusted him with my son and once again I watched my son lose the progress that he had made. Fluzone contains thimerosal. Jackson got sick once again. Are their doctors that I trust? Absolutely. Do I take every word that they say as gospel? NO. I am just a parent that is trying to do whatever I can to help my son.
To Lee
Thank you! I also believe in biomedical intervention. We started our son on some treatments a little over a month ago and we can already see that he is feeling better. He is also on a Casein and wheat free diet. Best wishes to you and your family and thank you again for your kind words!
Jen:
Fluzone is available in three different preparations.
The pediatric preparation, recognizable by a pink syringe plunger rod in a 0.25 mL prefilled syringe.
And a .5mL syringe (apparently without distinguishing characteristics, other than not having a pink rod), and a 5mL vial (and thus requiring the doctor to fill the syringe himself, or have a nurse do it).
Two of the three contain thimerosal. Which one did your son get?
I’m so troubled by some of what I’ve read on this site. My daughter begins chelation this month and I’m elated. I’ve searched for a treatment that may improve her quality of life for 9 years and am confident this therapy will produce results. Some of the comments here are so blatant and rude. Don’t we ALL have a right to do what we feel best for our children when our intentions are good? You can argue fact and fiction about studies produced by the FDA, CDC or the AUTISM RESEARCH INSTITUTE but does that mean one is more truthful than another? Do you think the government would admit chelation would be effective as a treatment for ASD? That means they would have to admit these kids were over exposed to mercury via thimerasol. When I look at my daughter, I see a child that had her future stolen from her because I held her down while a nurse injected her body with poison. Do I have a positive attitude about autism? NO. Do I have a positive attitude about my daughter? She is the light of my life. I’ll die making sure she has a great life!!!!
So what kind of chelation are you going to try?
The very outdated EDTA?
Or the TD-DMPS that has not even been shown to absorb into the skin?
What evidence do you have that any vaccine given after 2002 had thimerosal?
TJ – no-one, repeat, no-one would deny that you obviously love your daughter. I don’t think anyone who supports the idea of chelation hates their kids or wants to harm them.
However, there are points that need to be considered. As HN says, there is no reason to believe your child is mercury poisoned at all. The tests that are conducted to verify these thigns are extremley suspect. Hair analysis for example is not approved by the AMA.
I’m curious as to what it is you feel is so bad about autism (I note Jen _did_ answer me and I missed it somehow – sorry Jen if you’re reading this, I’ll try and get around to answering you) that you feel an unconnected course of treatment is viable.
My son was born in mid 2003.
If you look at the pictures taken over his life, you can see during the first year, that something changed. He went from a happy, healthy, alert baby. To staring off into space, and wanting to be alone. He had all of his shots, but I do not know for sure if that is the cause. They may or may not be at fault.
We tried the gf diet when we first thought something was wrong, but that barely made a difference. There was some increase in eye contact, but that has since faded away. We went to see one of the DAN witch doctors, and his recommendation, WITHOUT EVEN TESTING, was to perform chelation. We have not returned, and have not started chelation.
Now here we are at 33 months of age. He shows no signs of development, and seems to be the same as he was a year ago. I have met with every nitwit in the state of PA, and the opinions vary so much I really don’t care to listen anymore. They can’t even agree on which behavioral intervention program to follow, floortime or ABA. Nobody seems to care about what actually works, just what furthers their own agenda.
Now, I am coming out of my 2nd denial stage, and trying to research again. I come across this plethra of ignorance, denial, and empty opinions, and am left wondering. How angry are some of you people? Are you as angry as I am? Are you angry because you KNOW that there is something at fault here, and nobody in power seems to want it revealed? Are you angry because in the last 50 years autism has increased over 1000 percent and nobody wants to admit that something is at fault?
I sure am.
Lets face it, the scum that run this country aren’t about to help us. So please, lets help ourselves.
If you search the web, you will probably find at least TEN times more information discrediting treatments, than you will find information on what has been successful. Even when you DO find information on successful treatments, right next to it is a link calling the same treatment “unscientific” or the claims to be “anecdotal”.
How about some more information?
If you have used chelation therapy, and it has worked, lets have the particulars.
1. Diet – WHAT did this kid eat during treatment? GF diet? Atkins? What?
2. Environment – Where do you live? Inner city, rural, next to a nuclear power plant?
3. Therapy – Is this kid getting ABA, floortime, video babysitter? What?
4. Social – How many people in your family? How often does the kid interact with others there own age? Others in general?
5. Medical – Other regular medication? Any major diseases over the course of treatment? Chickenpox? What?
6. Describe the personality of the people in the household. Couch potatoes? Outdoorsy? Wifebeaters? What?
7. Who made the initial diagnosis? Describe the “before” picture.
8. What is the kid like now? Not YOUR opinion, the opinion of others. Is this kid in the mainstream school system? How are they doing?
Also, since some of you are so hung up on one child dying, think about this. More children have died travelling to school in one year than all those who died from chelation.
Should we all home-school now?
Don’t be ridiculous.
Stop arguing with one another, and start focusing on progress made. We need to document the hell out of whatever works, and stop spending so much time attacking what we THINK may not work. The child in PA had an allergic reaction to a treatment that was not properly administered. There is no mystery there.
My next step is to get my child tested for mercury. If he has abnormally high levels, he will get chelation. We KNOW that mercury is bad for the human body. Whether or not it helps the ASD symptoms should not matter. What OTHER problems can the mercury cause? Nobody really knows the brain all that well. I personally don’t want my son to be a “if we only knew the affects” case in 20 years. So, out with the mercury.
I know this may anger some of you that think mercury has no effect on the body. You may be absolutely right. Since I am not a doctor, and some doctors really aren’t either, all I know for sure is it doesn’t belong there.
Thats enough for me.
_”Also, since some of you are so hung up on one child dying, think about this. More children have died travelling to school in one year than all those who died from chelation. Should we all home-school now? Don’t be ridiculous.”_
Thats totally specious thing to say and shows little understanding of both the facts and the science. In fact, more than one child died last year after undergoing chelation.
Further, you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who disagrees with you that chelation should be used for genuine cases of metal poisoning.
The difference here is that this young boy was _not_ undergoing chelation for metals but chelation because his parents believed mercury caused his autism – its seen as a cure for autism.
_”The child in PA had an allergic reaction to a treatment that was not properly administered.”_
And one which he did not need to have in the first place – thats the real tragedy.
_”My next step is to get my child tested for mercury. If he has abnormally high levels, he will get chelation.”_
I wonder which lab you’ll use. Doctors Data or Great Plains?
_”I know this may anger some of you that think mercury has no effect on the body.”_
Nobody thinks that.
You need to do a lot more reading around before commenting further. There’s a whole lot of assumption and not much thought gone into your last comment.