MMR controversy doctor struck off!!

Stephany - posted on 05/26/2010

Autism is so ambiguous- there is no definite test (like bloodwork) that can be done to determine a diagnosis, there is no known cause, and the epidemic surrounds young, vulnerable children. Since we have no known causes, everybody is afraid it will happen to their kid and we are entirely defenseless. Along comes this doctor with all of his knowledge who supposedly did a bunch of studies and tests and determined that vaccines were the cause. So what did people do? They stopped vaccinating thier kids. I can't blame the parents for their reactions to this idiot's actions, and I'm glad he's being held accountable. Now, though, parents need to wake up and realize that the headlines from almost a decade ago were wrong and kids are starting to die from smallpox and measles- things we had virtually eradicated in developed countries. In my opinion, it is very similar to when HIV/AIDS was just starting to be spread. Word got out that only gay people could get it- completely false and incindiary, but once the seed of misconception was planted it grew into such a plume misinformation that there are still people who believe it to be true. For some people, you could lay down the numerous studies that discredit the association between vaccines and autism, their pediatrician could tell them there is no link, they could walk through a hospital where kids are dying of preventable diseases, and they'd still worry so much about their kid getting autism that they'd never let the needle in the room. This is the damage this jackass caused.
Someone mentioned the guilt factor for parents of kids on the spectrum. One of the initial theories surrounding the cause of autism was the "refridgerator mom" theory. Inital speculation was that children became autistic when their mothers were cold, neglectful, or emotionally detached from their children. Believe it or not, this actually held credence for quite some time and, even now, there is still a stigma within some groups that autism is caused by the behavior of the mom. For more info: http://www.autism-watch.org/causes/rm.sh...
I'm not saying vaccines are the safest things on earth. There is a bunch of crap in them that, alone, I wouldn't want my kid to get. However, they are a necessary evil and I will (and do) always have my kids vaccinated. They are on a delayed vaccination schedule, though. I take them to the doctor every month or two to get one at a time so if there is a reaction I know which one they reacted to. They are both current. I only do this because we found out my son is allergic to eggs when he had a bad reaction to the chickenpox vaccine (made in eggs).
My oldest son was diagnosed with autism in May, 2008. We are in the process of having my youngest diagnosed as well. I think there is some genetic sensitivity to something else that is causing autism. Personally, I think it is from a vitamin D deficiency (the rise of autism directly correlates to the increased use of sunscreen, and there are some freaky-scary similarities). Anyway, everyone has their theories and everyone has their idea for a magic cure. Personally, I choose to believe that my sons have no reason for a 'cure'. They are amazing, beautiful, intelligent, hilarious boys who are the lights of my life and every single trait they have is what makes them so. They do not (in my eyes) have a disability; rather, they have a learning style that is not one that most people can understand.

For more info about autism and vitamin d deficiency:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/au...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17920...

Jane - posted on 05/26/2010

What I meant to say is "while I have always believed that the whole Immunization = autism is a bunch of crap". I forgot the bunch of crap part so it might look as though I believed it to be true...and I 100% don't.

Jane - posted on 05/26/2010

People who support him have children with autism or know someone who's kid has autism and believe that immunizations caused it. It's basically fear. If they no longer have a valid excuse for why their child or a friends child has autism, then it could be that they might blame themselves and that would be painful. People with pain for their children need to blame someone. While I have always believed that the whole immunization = autism, I feel for the parents who continue to support this doctor. They are holding on to hope.

Meghan - posted on 05/26/2010

Autism has become in a way an epidemic the past 15-20 years. He created a fear in A LOT of people based on very little evidence and in my opinon he did it at the height of the whole thing. Autism is a genetic brain disorder, it affects more males than females, it has also been said that preservatives and sprays on food cause autism..it is there regardless of a vaccine or not! My nephew is severly autistic and none of the family blammed this on vaccines! I did my research on it seeing as I had a family memeber and I had no problem getting my son the MMR shot! He had a swollen arm for a day and that was it! Parent's want their kids to be healthy, and if someone in a postion of power comes out and makes accusations like this, it will put fear into people!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 05/26/2010

I agree. I think it's because autism is being diagnosed more (I think it's 1 in 100 children) and parents are getting scared. Everyone wants their child to be healthy. If someone says, "hey, don't get the MMR shot and your child won't get autism" then everybody listens. I'm glad they called him out and I think it's awful that he's made parents so afraid.

Ashley - posted on 05/26/2010

I have no idea why people believed this whack. Maybe some people just wanted to blame something so they would feel better about themselves for not "causing" autism from it maybe being genetic? My son's pediatrician is so happy that he was proved to be wrong as she has seen quite a few cases of kids getting sick from preventable diseases. I had no issue giving my son his MMR shot, and he is very healthy.