As most of you know I stopped blogging about Megan publicly some time ago.
Well, I really miss it. It really irks me that I can’t tell people whats going on in her life and how she’s doing.
What I’m, going to do is set up a private blog which will require people to enter some sort of password to access. If you’d like to access that blog then please leave a comment below.
I’m also getting a bit ticked off with this design. It looks really poor on shorter posts like this. Thing is, I’ve customised WordPress so heavily I’m worried about screwing it totally. Damn. On the other hand Veerle has raised the bar and I’m getting a design itch that requires some scratching. It seems to be quite ‘cool’ to go for a dark bg so I probably won’t do that but all the blue on here is getting on my nerves a tad.
I’m thinking – background styled to look like a notepad and plenty of Comic Sans. Yummy.
Left Brain Right Brain 
Would like very much to know how she is going—-it’s for our kids that we’re in this. Charlie certainly always gives me something to blog about. Hope you and yours are well.
Please add me to the list of those with access… I’d like to know how she’s doing. I’ve got a seperate blog in mind for my own daughter, as well.
I know how you feel!!! ;0
I really miss hearing about Megan. I would feel very privileged to be on your list.
Hi Kev, please sign me up. I’d like to keep on hearing about Meg through the blog (although I’ll stay in touch through the more traditional methods too of course).
Kev, I would love to be able to read about Megan. As you know, I have a particular fondness for stories about adorable children. 🙂
I try not to write about my son. Writing my book I was very much aware that in describing our life I was exposing his life as well. Now he is approaching 21 and about to embark on a degree course and his life is his own. I still draw on his experience in discussions but do not give details of specific incidents that might discomfort him.
I’m in!
Me too…. might feel better putting things about my wee one on it too, if it’s secure….
I’d love to read it too!
Kev, I’d like to hear about Megan’s progress as well. If you are re-vamping, maybe you could also consider a link to the science discussion forum from your home page?
Please sign me up as well. It helps me to learn of the progress of other autistic children, without the drama so many sites instill.
Hi Kevin
Please sign me up. Like David, being safe, I would be confident also to share my personal experience.
Thank you
MarÃa Luján
Please sign me up too. 🙂
Looks like you’re going to have quite the little community, Kev. 🙂
I would like to be a part of “the privileged many”…
I would like to hear lots about Megan too, if I may.
Thank you for all you’ve done for autism blogging and autism science too.
Me, two. Me, three! or am I #17?
🙂
I haven’t posted a comment in ages, and then I had a different email addy. My youngest brother has autism, so I read with interest. I would also like access if possible.
Well, I really miss it. It really irks me that I can’t tell people whats going on in her life and how she’s doing.
It really irks me that people feel they have a right to decide what other people should blog about.
Add me to the list, btw, please.
Veerle has raised the bar
Without a doubt. She’s deservedly won the personal site category in the PMachine Shoot Out with that 🙂
Yes, please, Kev. Your Megan and my Zoe have much in common, so I’m always interested in comparing and contrasting. That and I think Megan is a charming little fairychild and I just like to read about her. 🙂
Count me in too. I’d like to hear how she’s doing and how David’s wee one is too.
Please add me to your list, Kev. I love to hear how the little ones are progressing.
Yes please I ould like to be on the list.
Kev, please add my name to the growing list.
Veerle’s blog really is excellent – wow!
There’s not much wrong with this one you know? I still count it as one of my favourite blog designs, but I can understand your desire to do a new one.
No need to give me the password but just wanted to wish you and your family well. I read everything you write in here with interest – you’ve developed quite a flair for writing Mr Leitch 🙂
OK – I’ll mail you all very soon with the username and password you’ll need.
RSS Feeds will be broken for this blog and (obviously) I’d appreciate you all keeping your username and password to yourselves. There are more than a few people I really don’t want reading about my daughter – or your kids David, Maria et al.
H and Rutty – Veerle made me cry ;o) I’m currently cycling through designs trying to avoid the temptation to go dark and vectory ;o)
Obviously if anyone else wants in just carry on commenting :o)
Boy, Kevin, you sure like to criticize what parents do and talk about with the biomedical interventions they’re taking with their kids… so you can dish it out…. but you can’t take it?
What is there to hide? If you’re not treating her, are you afraid that posting details of her slow progress (if any) will invite more criticism? Why would you be afraid of that?
It’s nice to have your cake and eat it too. It’s okay to criticize us, while hiding in your privacy.
I’m sure all of your totally anonymous friends will back you up… how courageous.
_”Boy, Kevin, you sure like to criticize what parents do and talk about with the biomedical interventions they’re taking with their kids… so you can dish it out…. but you can’t take it?”_
Don’t worry Erik, you can rest assured I won’t be discussing biomedical interventions at all :o)
_”What is there to hide? If you’re not treating her, are you afraid that posting details of her slow progress (if any) will invite more criticism? Why would you be afraid of that?”_
No, its because I’ve no wish to expose her to any more insults from people on the EoH list. Only 2 days ago, your charming compatriot John Best Jr compared my daughter to a trained monkey. When I protested at this he replied:
_”My wife bought too many bananas so I’ll send some for your daughter.”_
This comes after the email I recived after I first encountered the EoH group which read:
_”get your fucking retard daughter put down. She’s no autist. Bitch.”_
_”It’s nice to have your cake and eat it too. It’s okay to criticize us, while hiding in your privacy.”_
I decided after encountering people like the above – your fellow list mates Erik, a lot of whom emailed me anonymously to insult my daughter – that no one has the right to hear about her any more. These people you see listed above me I trust.
In short, you can criticize me as much as you like, and I’ll continue to criticize you. When you (or anyone) starts to attack my daughter then she is no longer a subject for public discussion.
Erik:
You might want to consider the circumstances before jumping to conclusions.
your fellow list mates
Ah, probably already knows the cirumstances.
Nice people.
EN: “Boy, Kevin, you sure like to criticize what parents do and talk about with the biomedical interventions they’re taking with their kids… so you can dish it out…. but you can’t take it?”
I’ve a feeling that Kev, being of Scottish stock, can take fuckin’ anything, Erik… which is more than you can…. let’s face it… if you could… would you need to chuck up your bile here?
“What is there to hide? If you’re not treating her, are you afraid that posting details of her slow progress (if any) will invite more criticism? Why would you be afraid of that?”
Umm…. lemme see… JBJr’s been pretty much a fucked-up bastard regarding Kev’s wee girl. And if he were within earshot of me, saying that sort of thing abotu my girl, I’d have no problem putting JBJr out of the world’s misery. Wouldn’t want to kill him (hey, even cockraoches get to live, right?)… but I’d do him some serious… shall we say “ABA-approved teaching”…. He needs it…. maybe JBJr wasn’t smacked enough as a kid. Cos it’s either that or he was beated too fucking much. Either way, he’s not a fucking good role model for ANY child.
“It’s nice to have your cake and eat it too. It’s okay to criticize us, while hiding in your privacy.”
Don’t be such a stupid shit, Erik…. grow up.
“I’m sure all of your totally anonymous friends will back you up… how courageous.”
I’m not posting anonymously.
You go fuck yourself (hey, if JBJr can say it to my pal, I can say it to one of JBJr’s alleged pals).
Erik,
Although you and I ordinarily agree on most things, I have to say that I fully understand Kev’s concerns. As Kev points out, he has already received less-than-polite communications from the less reasonable among our crowd. Likewise, I have received mail and comments telling me I am deliberately harming my child by pursuing biomedical interventions — and I have intentionally never named my son in my blog. Such behavior serves neither side well.
I would never criticize those who blog about their children and speak in specifics, but it is a path I have chosen to avoid for a number of reasons, including the fact my son cannot tell me how he feels about it all. Although I disagree with Kev or Camille on the issues of causation and interventions, the one thing I will never fault them for is avoiding public discussions of their children.
For reasons expressed in a private email to Kev, I am not seeking a password into the new blog, but he and Megan shall always have my best wishes.
Wade… a voice of reason from your side of the fence. I respect that in someone, even if I might disagree with them in many areas.
I applaud you, Wade. Thank you for showing that side of yourself. I for one appreciate it (JBJr’s blog currently doesn’t inspire, but you do).
Hi Erik
Like Wade, I understand Kev´s concerns. Also, I have received mail telling me I am deliberately harming my child by pursuing biomedical. As Wade I would never criticize those who blog about their children and speak in specifics, but it is something I have chosen not to do about his progress because my son cannot tell me how he feels about. I have also disagreed with Kev, Camille or others in many points, but they all know that all have my respect and consideration. I have also asked for and I am very proud to say that beyond disagreement, we have exchanged ideas about very difficult topics, productively, at least for me.
I have been, am and will be concerned about susceptible children to environmental insult (including vaccines), about research and science in ASD and also about how autistic children, teens and adults feel, think and how they are treated by different approaches. I consider important to know and to learn as much as possible, not only about Science or objetive aspects, but also to all the others aspects related to the human beings that parents of people with ASD and people with ASD are.
Only accepting that we all do the best we consider for our children based on our personal circunstances and resources, with open mind and heart, in agreement that our children must be respected first at all .by us and the others, and in mutual consideration is that a real dialogue between parents of ASD children, doing the intervention they do, is possible.
The progress in our children is what for we struggle in a daily basis. We live for these extraordinaire moments in time that other parents have for granted. We know the enjoy that one word gives us, the pure joy of a smile with direct eye contact. We share an enourmous experience of life that other people can not understand.
With this spirit is that I think that to know about Kev´s daughter progress is important for me. We all struggle with a lot of feelings and concerns. To share them make us all know better to us and to others. And to understand better. No judgement, no rush is then the rule. Every time I have had the oportunity to exchange ideas productively with other parents and /or researchers in fields related to ASD it has been also important to me. I hope and I trust it will be the case in Meg´s blog.
It is in this personal belief that a real dialogue about our chidren is possible that I ask Kevin for my participation.
Thank you Kevin, for your trust.
MarÃa Luján Ferreira
Wade, I wish Megan the best of luck as well… especially considering her father’s ignorance. I will never behave in the deplorable ways some of the others have. But my criticism of Kevin stands. Highly opinionated uber blogger (who probably does little else) that spends a good portion of his day complaining about what others do with their children…
But shields himself from criticism. He whines about some of the pathetic behavior of his blog visitors… but he just can’t take it. I can’t go two days without finding traffic on autismmedia.org from the trash blogs of the neurodiverse/anti cure camps where I find folks up in arms about what I’m doing with my daughter, etc. But I don’t care. I’m still going to help parents learn about the available treatment options…and the science behind them. And if I have to cite my own family’s experiences to HELP PEOPLE understand… I will.
And it’s been working. I’m in regular contact with many parents who found help from FAIR and are seeing progress with their kids treatments…
I just hate the hypocrisy I see here. And David Andrews… wow, you’re a classy fella! Good luck with that mouth. Kisses to your mum. Cheerio!
Erik,
I am one of the parents who has found F.A.I.R. Autism Media to be a tremendous resource. Like you, I am seeing progress in my son, using biomedical interventions. I take no issue with the manner in which you disagree with Kev on any substantive issues. I am only saying that Kev’s decision to leave his daughter out of this rough-and-tumble environment is more to be applauded than damned.
Kev, I would be interested in the password, but if you don’t feel comfortable giving it to me (I’m pretty new here), I understand.
If I had access, I’d probably be sharing stuff about my own family.
Erilk
Like Wade and you I am also seeing progress in my son under biomedical. I think Kev´s decision is wise in terms to protect his privacy. I have tried to feel respected to anyone in touch with me, a parent doing biomedical.
I do not understand why you mention hypocrisy. In this field I think that what is said, based on what and how is said it matters. You can maintain intellectual honesty with your personal opinions being also aware of the other parents concerns, feelings and ideas, respecting them, trying to construct other place of discussion. Each parent is a voice and an opinoin , affected by personal circunstances.
Erik, if I am asked about, I answer the best I can about my personal experience. But for many parents their view is different because their experience is different. I do not consider hypocrisy this different view.
MarÃa Luján
_”Highly opinionated uber blogger (who probably does little else) that spends a good portion of his day complaining about what others do with their children…”_
I wish I was rich enough for that Erik ;o)
_”But shields himself from criticism. He whines about some of the pathetic behavior of his blog visitors… but he just can’t take it.”_
Examples of my shielding myself from criticism being…?
_”I can’t go two days without finding traffic on autismmedia.org from the trash blogs of the neurodiverse/anti cure camps where I find folks up in arms about what I’m doing with my daughter, etc. But I don’t care. I’m still going to help parents learn about the available treatment options…and the science behind them. And if I have to cite my own family’s experiences to HELP PEOPLE understand… I will.”_
Funny, I can’t go one day without finding trashy lists like EoH or parenting.com talking about how ‘the neurodiverse’ hate their kids and are leaving them to rot. However, I’m done using my daughter as an exmale of why you’re wrong. She deserves more than to be exposed to a bunch of savages without the wit to see past a quack.
_”I just hate the hypocrisy I see here.”_
What hypocrisy is that Erik?
Wade: I haven’t had a mail from you for a _long_ time. I’m not suggesting you’ve not sent it but I have periodic trouble with my GMail acct when the spam filter gets overly aggressive.
So I can’t respond to your mail (please try sending it again – put my name in the subject line, that might confuse the filter a bit) but I’ll state right now that I’m _more_ than happy to give you access to Meg’s blog if you want it.
Kev,
Please add me to the list for your family blog, if it’s not too late for that.
What *are* the antagonistic curebies so afraid of, that they create the necessity for measures like this? There is a well-known archetype in the gay community — the virulent homophobe who is that way because deep down inside he (and it is, alas, almost *always* a he) is afraid he might be a little bit gay himself. These people, unfortunately, are our community’s analogue to that.
— Phil
It’s nice to have your cake and eat it too. It’s okay to criticize us, while hiding in your privacy.
So, Kev’s decision not to publically write about his child directly is some sort of insult to you, PERSONALLY or something? You can’t still criticize him whether or not he writes about Megan directly in public? You can’t still turn up here, in this blog, and call him names and accuse him of all manner of evil?
Keeping something private or sharing it with only a few TRUSTED friends and family members is not the same as hiding. I don’t blog about MANY things in my life, including (but not limited to) the details of my menstural cycle, my sex life, how long I spend in the shower and how often, and many, MANY other things that are simply not things that I care to share with the world at large.
So, does this mean that, by your definition, I “have something to hide” and I’m somehow denying people the right and ability to complain about my showering habits and details of my sex life?
I’d love to be added. I respect your choice and given what I’ve observed, completely understand it.
I would be interested in being added to your list as well!
andrea
So now I’m reduced to being spam. There are those who visit this site who might agree with your filter’s assessment.
I tried it again, Kev. Let’s see if I can get through.
Kev,
I understand your decision and respect it. I am sorry that you ever had to go through it and that your daughter was called horrendous names.
I would be honored to visit that blog and read about your daughter’s progress.
Mr. Nanstiel,
You write “It’s nice to have your cake and eat it too. It’s okay to criticize us, while hiding in your privacy. I’m sure all of your totally anonymous friends will back you up… how courageousâ€
Yes, probably all of his family and friends, a good few of his fellow bloggers, and a sprinkling of other persons (regardless of opinion in the autism debate) will agree with his decision to protect his child from cruel comments. To question Kev’s decision making is one thing, to insult his daughter is another and is way out of line. No adult should ever make such comments about a child, regardless of provocation
Mr. Nanstiel, those who behave in such a way, surrender their credibility. This is also applicable for those who defend such behavior.
Please consider that.
So now I’m reduced to being spam.
Don’t take it personally. 🙂 Gmail’s filter can be funny, and it’s easy to miss legitimate mail in there if you’re not super careful.
I’m wondering if Wade put “C|-|e/-P C|/-L|S” or something about bargain home loans in the text of his email?
Just kidding. 🙂
It’s funny. Would Erik attack me for not blogging my child’s life?
I think what is freaking Erik out is that Megan was part of the discussion and Kev had the unmitigated gall to think for himself, to take her out of the line of fire (after she and her family had been broadsided) and then to find a way to share the beautiful bits of news about her beautiful life with people who care about her.
I don’t read Erik talking about his daughter the way Kev talks about Meg. Meg is a beloved child, she is her father’s absolute pride and joy (along with the other 2 beautiful children). Erik’s daughter is usually described in medical terms. He does describe any new headway she makes, but in terms of them being the result of this or that intervention.
I know whose kid I’d rather be, if I had to choose, but then I despise what Erik is doing, giving free advertising to the Geiers who are shilling for Abbot pharmaceuticals these days and putting children and teens at risk for serious harm with their Lupron Depot chemical castration injections.
Hey, Erik how ’bout explaining those sheets of testosterone?
No? I didn’t think you could. They don’t exist.
Whatcha think about that patent that the Geier’s have on the Lupron protocol?
Kev, I’d love to join the long list for the new blog, if that’s OK with you – I too have missed hearing about Megan and her progress.
Cheers
Becca