Vaccines & Autism: The Controversy.

The topic of vaccines and autism is as hot a debate as politics and religion.  And I've learned not to discuss my opinion about whether or not vaccines cause autism.  But after watching CNN last night and reading all the on line arguments, I have to.  Dr Andrew Wakefield's study that linked autism to vaccines has been labeled as an "elaborate fraud."   And parents are pissed.  

But I have to admit.  I am not surprised.  

I first heard about the connection seven years ago. My first thought about it was: Parents need something to blame.  After Norrin's diagnosis, I still didn't believe there was a link between the two.  But it had become a witch hunt, with Jenny McCarthy leading the angry mob.  

After Norrin's diagnosis, I wanted answers too.  So I understand why some parents are so adamant in blaming vaccines.  In order to understand or cope, an explanation is needed.  The vaccines are the easiest target.

I believe it's a culmination of things: the environment, food, water, DNA and vaccines.  But mostly, the environment, food and water.   Think about all the garbage that's in our food: preservatives, additives, pesticides.  Think of how food and diet has changed over the last 30 to 40 years.  Maybe its the water - its the one thing everyone is exposed to.  How often have we heard of pharmaceutical companies dumping waste into the water.  Is autism the result?   

Or maybe it's the environment in general - air pollution could be the cause.  We all have to breathe.  New Jersey has the highest rate of autism in the nation.  This alone, leads me to believe that autism goes beyond vaccines.  Have you seen the New Jersey Turnpike? Whenever we drive through Jersey, I see factory after factory. Clouds of grey smoke blowing up into the sky.  Why doesn't anyone question that?  But that's a tough battle to fight. And the government and major corporations aren't going to step forward to accept the blame.  


For now, I think the important thing is to focus on the families living with autism. Let's work on services, awareness, schools and providers. Prevention can take a backseat to that - but this is all just my opinion.  I'm not a doctor or scientist.  I'm just a mom of a child with autism. And I don't care what caused it, because I can't change the fact that my son has autism. All I care about is moving on so that Norrin can move forward.    

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