Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Leslie — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:46:56 GMT

I watched my typically developing child almost die from a reaction to the DTP vaccine before they cleaned it up. My other typically developing child got horribly sick from a HIB vaccine, which was supposedly safer. We need to be VERY proactive with our health, doctors and this "science" you say is on your side. It hasn't been on my side. Perhaps I am in the minority, but my kids were much sicker from vaccines that were supposed to protect them than they were from any other childhood illness they got from not being vaccinated, and that is MY reality.

It's a good thing to ask lots of questions. Have an opinion. Be knowledgeable. Don't be afraid to tell people to jump in the lake who pressure you to vaccinate your child if it is not the right thing for them during crucial brain development. Some of these kids don't need to inflame their immune systems anymore than they already are. Like Jenny McCarthy, I am all for protecting children from childhood illnesses, but there needs to be BETTER science in this area. More accountability. Oh, and I also have 2 younger children with autism. Both have had vaccines, which I regret, only because I may never know for sure if this was a contributing factor or not. I'm not willing to risk more vaccines until they are better, cleaner, safer.

We have had amazing results with their autism with early intervention and very good nutrition, which took lots of work and dedication, but has really payed off. Children eat what they are used to eating. If you feed them crap from the time they are little, it's going to be pretty hard to get any child to cope with a good or special diet that is introduced, especially if they have autism. You have to be persistent and very consistent. They won't starve, especially if you do it gently and gradually and with the help of behavioral therapists, if need be. It can be done--if you want to.

We can learn from these people who have autistic kids who are speaking out. Listen to them. You don't have to agree with everything they say, but these are real people with real experiences. Could we be open enough to learn something from them--even if they have offended us? Real science, it seems to me, would consider all sides and welcome all possibilities until we know everything, which we do not. We should stop "standing our ground" and listen to each other more.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Christal Logan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:10:55 GMT

You want to know what has healed my 8 year old son of autism?.... Prayer in the name of Jesus Christ to the ALMIGHTY GOD!!!!!!!!!!

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

mazone — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:09:15 GMT

I have worked with autistic children for the past 8 years, which means I have also dealt with the parents of these children. Certainly, almost all of them have been rational in terms of their thoughts on the cause, and the way they are dealing with their child's autism. I have worked with children of varying degrees of autism during these 8 years, this year being the most challenging one yet, and sadly, it doesn't appear that the coming year will be any easier. I do not have an autistic child, and in all the years I have been working with them, I have yet to see a "recovered" autistic child (I don't even know what that term means). What I have seen is children with autism that are successful to the best of their abilities, and that is pretty fantastic.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Scott — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:01:02 GMT

Peet has science on her side, Jenny has personal anecdotes; which do you think are more reliable?

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Laurie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:47:35 GMT

I am very glad that someone is finally sounding off about these vaccainations. I used to work in a day care and watched 2 of my kids in the room after their vaccinations develop autism. We all have to demand a safer vaccine, and not be looked at as crazy when we question the doctor about them. I feel from experience with later teaching autistic kids that the diet also plays a big part in healing. I have seen the GFCF diet work wonders on these kids.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

delerben — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:12:51 GMT

I have heard both sides of the argument and really do think that there is something to the vaccine correlation with autism.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Joy. — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:12:06 GMT

Donita, having or not having an autistic child doesn't give a person the right to an opinion about universal vaccines. I live in this industrial society where highly contagious diseases like Chickenpox, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and influenza must be controlled for the greater good of society. The American Association of Pediatrics has science on it's side. Autism United has rhetoric and anecdotal evidence.

No one in this thread has been critical of parents advocating for their children. We've been critical of McCarthy and Autism United who are trying to squash dissenters -- not with facts, but with petty threats and emotional appeals.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Donita — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:35:06 GMT

Of course we are DESPERATE as limeycanucksmum says. All I can say is, until you've walked in my shoes, as a mother of an autistic daughter, never point the finger here or there. Let's not forget that McCarthy is for a REVISED vaccine schedule (as she AGAIN reiterated on Ellen this morning), as am I, NOT for getting rid of them altogether. I am very passionate about what's best for my child, who, by the way, is FULLY vaccinated. (This just hits a nerve for me...huh, I wonder why? When other's who haven't walked in McCarthy's or my shoes, act like they know what we are going through). OK - now give it to me, ya'll.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

limeycanucksmum — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:18:42 GMT

Ashtyn, you have my utmost respect. Thanks for taking the time to share your views.

I'd like to make the following point: John Gilmore's comment that 'Ms. Peet's comments are deplorable and an apology will not suffice' is disgraceful and counters the very values that most of us are trying to instill in our children. Presumably this is simply because Amanda Peet doesn't agree with him and hasn't retracted her statement, so he can't accept her apology. Aren't adults supposed to model that we can agree to disagree? An apology won't suffice John? What would you like? Blood? Grow up! My four year old can deal with conflict resolution with more grace than you.

The backlash against Peet is absurd. The truth is that she has science on her side and Autism United's campaign against her smacks of desperation.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Joy. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:42:14 GMT

I don't think McCarthy is a credible spokesperson for autism. Does anyone remember two years ago when Jenny McCarthy was a member of the Indigo Movement? She said autism was the manifestation of genetic mutations that were creating a new 'race' of super sensitive humans who were more evolved then other 'average' children.

Now she has a new theory and this one is getting her a lot more respect and a lot more cash.

Personally: I love Amanda Peet for standing up. Autism MIGHT be linked to vaccinations, but DEATH is definitely linked to not getting vaccinations. People need to know what the stakes are and decide if they'd rather risk a dead child or a child with autism.

I find the backlash against Peet to be disgusting. She has the right to dissent. This whole thing smacks of the Dixie Chick's when they were punished for disagreeing with Bush. Geez, America, get a grip.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

MomofBeans — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:29:37 GMT

Totally unrelated, but my one year old has severe food allergies, including dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and wheat. She still eats very well. We just have to be careful. It's also forced us to get familiar with the local health food stores. So it can be done...but if I had my way she'd be exploring my deep, deep love of cheese.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Trumanji — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:07:07 GMT

Ashtyn, your son's lucky to have you for his mother - we should all be blessed with parents who love us enough to teach us to deal with the now and real (not the soon and could be). When I first caught wind of Jenny's crusade, I was impressed by her passion and dedication; on doing my own research, however, I've come to agree with Amanda. Although to be honest, I tend to use the phrase "$%^&ing parasites". I continue to feel compassion for Jenny and others like her; I can't imagine being in their shoes, but I can imagine a world where measles, mumps, and polio are leading killers of children, and I will not let them take us back there. Has anyone read this book yet? www.salon.com/.../index.html

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Ashtyn — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:19:55 GMT

I am the mother of a child on the Autistic Spectrum. My child was vaccinated. I was vaccinated. Everyone in my family was vaccinated. As a result, none of us got Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, etc. In fact, nearly everyone I know has been vaccinated and my son is the only autistic person I know.

I saw absolutely NO change in my son before and after his vaccinations. His personality, characteristics and personal preferences never changed. Nothing changed him. He was always the same; particular, finicky, yet loving (something he still is today).

There is also absolutely no solid proof that changing diet and stopping vaccinations will work. If any other mother had said what Jenny has said, they would have looked upon her like she was crazy. Then again, her child might have "vaccination autism" (I made that term up), which differs from actual autism, which my son has.

Speaking of her son, I'm impressed that she was able to make him recover because I don't look for recovery. I look for a way for my son to function, as he is, in society. If a real cure comes out, I'd gladly make sure he was given it, but until that day comes I refuse to give anyone false hope (including him) or pretend I'm all knowing (as Jenny does). She's so concerned about her son and the autism community, she made sure to get a book deal out of it.

My son would starve himself before eating any of the quack diets autistics are being put on by their parents. If my son doesn't find the food familiar, he just won't eat and nothing or no one will make him eat. Heck, I wouldn't eat the stuff on these diets, and I'm not autistic.

The biggest diet I've seen distributed through the community is the GFCF (Gluten-Free, Casein Free) Diet. This is a no wheat, no dairy diet. I don't know what these kids eat, but my son loves cheese, milk, bread, pasta, and considering he's underweight (due to being a picky eater) I refuse to starve him and force feed him this disgusting diet. The main things children can eat is chicken (non-breaded), meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. They also have a line of GFCF foods (such as GFCF raisin bread), but most people who've eaten these foods say they taste gross.

What research has been done into these diets has not seen any benefits. Look up the GFCF diet and see how studies aren't really showing differences, even though some parents swear by it. They're so desperate to cure their kids, they don't try to help their children cope, in the meantime.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Mamallama — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:50:04 GMT

I agree that we need to have safe vaccines. That said there is no proven link yet between autism and vaccines. How is it that this is persisting other than misinformation? I have heard of stories where a child has been given 10+ shots at once or some other ridiculous amount and had adverse side affects. That seems like medical malpractice rather than a faulty product.

Jenny needs to respect other's opinions and free speech rights but I think she is just in a little deep and can't see the forest for the trees right now.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Momma — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:49:51 GMT

I agree Maeby, they need some that actually has a child on the spectrum. It's like apples and oranges.

"We are not against vaccines, rather we are for safe vaccines. "

Who can agrue that? WHY would we NOT want SAFER vaccs?

If I had a baby, I'd do things ALL different. We did delay with our now 7 year old. He isn't on the spectrum, but he has other specail needs.

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Maeby — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:58:58 GMT

Does Amanda Peete have an autistic child? If the AAP wanted to get a spokesperson to counter what Jenny says shouldn't they get someone WITH an autistic child to say that vaccinations are fine and thats not the reason her child is autistic?

re: Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Susan — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:47:04 GMT

What gives Jenny McCarthy the exclusive right to get her message out without a counter-point? I read the Amanda Peet interview/article in Cookie magazine and there was nothing offensive about it - at all. People are allowed to hold different views on the issue. Frankly, it's a little scary how fast some parents are making an often uniformed decision to forgo vaccinations for their children. People listen to Ms. McCarthy because she has star power, and what she seems to be saying is "I'm right and you shouldn't listen to anyone else." Let people hear both sides of the argument and decide for themselves.