Autism. Protest.

By Alison MacNeil

On the days I can fit it in, I walk to keep my sanity. While I walk, I listen to all sorts of music. Lately, I’ve been listening to protest songs from the Civil Right’s Movement, things like, “We Shall Overcome and “Oh, Freedom”, I find placing my heartbreak over Nick’s vaccine injury in this context, gives me perspective.

As I walk, my head is full of thoughts about protest and civil disobedience. I remember how incredible it felt to be at the Green the Vaccines Rally.  My imagination begins to wander and I envision myself participating in new acts of protest.

I often wonder if we are getting anywhere with Autism and vaccine safety concerns? I feel two ways about this at the same time.  On one hand, there is not one mom at bus stop #5 in Cambridge, MA that would dare to follow the regular vaccine schedule. I made that change from loads of quiet conversations. This is the work all of us do every single day and it’s working. It really is. I feel it.  Then on the flip side we are so ‘Outgunned’ as I’ve heard Mark Blaxill say. The Autism/Vaccine coverage, or lack there of, in mainstream media is terrible. Even NPR’s coverage is a joke. With television news my expectations are really low and they are met.  With the exception of a few brave voices we are getting no where in the press. Even the NewsHour is letting me down with their recent love affair with H1N1, it’s embarrassing.  When I see this crap the same fiery phrases flash in my head “Now, I’ve really had it” and “What is it going to take?”

This brings me back to my protest fantasies.  I wonder how radical and aggressive, as a movement, we can afford to get without further marginalizing ourselves. Then my head goes stale with thoughts of the all the polite and careful speaking up we do.  When I think about the IACC I don’t want to be polite anymore.  This is my child’s life that’s been ruined after all. I’m entitled to a display of some emotion.  I struggle between the ideas of what actions are too loud and too aggressive they do our cause harm vs. ‘outgunned’.

NPR (bluch!) replayed an interview with Robert McNamara around the time of his death, in which he was talking about his biography and the choices he made in Vietnam.  He told the story of a Quaker man who burned himself alive outside the window of his study in protest against the ongoing Vietnam War. This didn’t cause him to change his view.  My God, what will it take?

What would I like to do?  Right this minute? 

If I were being completely authentic I would be standing in Washington in front of the White House with a big sign and I wouldn’t move. Now my imagination is fueled….you are all there too.  We find a way not to bring our kids because this might get a little hairy.  All of the grown ups; parents, professionals, grand parents, friends ready to end this Vaccine/Autism madness are all standing there too.  I’ll bet there are 35,000 of us. And we are not going to move. We share our water, snacks and coats.  We sing, get rained on and we refuse to move. We may get arrested, perhaps spend a day or so in jail (All of us?)  Now we are getting some press.  I want Nick to have a picture of Mummie going to jail because of what happened to him. What am I going to do?  Show him a picture of me emailing and say “I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years.”

I ask myself if my desire and obsession with protesting is about wanting a break from the tediousness of my regular day?  If I’m not at a Sit-in in DC today then I have to do dishes, work, pick the kids up from school.  No, (well, a little) but, no.  It’s because my son got brain damage and I’m tired of being polite about it.  Like every mom I know, I am, when I need to be, capable of going into ‘Mama Bear mode’.  Mama Bear is marching on Washington.  Stifling my Mama Bear instincts is making me crazy. 

I don’t want a March with a permit or “how many Port-a-Potty’s will we need?”  I want a Sit-in where we’re not leaving until some terms are met.  I want to be inconvenient enough that we can’t be ignored.  8,500 people attended Jenny’s March in ’08.  It never even made it to the major newspapers.  It was a brilliant effort, one of my most cherished days and almost completely ignored in the press.

How do we make change without further harming our cause? How long could we sit there?  What would we ask for?  Who would be our spokespeople vs. how much longer can I carry around these big feelings without doing something about it?

Until I can make something happen I walk.  While I walk I pretend you are all there with me, arm in arm, big signs of our beautiful children above our heads.  There are miles and miles of us and we are singing “We Shall Overcome Someday…..”

Alison N. MacNeil, Licsw

Comments

[Sophie]

Alison, if you decide to go to Washington, I'll go with you.... for Nick, Charlie and all the others!!!! Great article!!!!

[Sylvia]

It's like that old shampoo commercial from the 70's:

I told two friends, and they told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on and so on........

I guess that is what drives Offit and Snyderman so damn crazy. They can't stop word of mouth. People are witnessing what is happening to our kids, and the more Offit and Snyderman foam at the mouth, the more people believe they have something to hide.

The truth has it's way of getting through!

[Bre]

Thank you! Thank you for helping me picture my days of march in Washington last year. I will use it when I am walking in the neighborhood. Moreover, I will find people to keep my boys for a month if I have an opportunity to "SIT IN" for our cause. Get 35,000 peeps, I'll be there!!!!!!!!!

[kim]

On the subject of teaching one person at a time...we held a small fundraiser for Generation Rescue and they sent me a bunch of 11x4 two sided color informational flyers that have been GREAT to have in my purse. I see someone pregnant, I give it to them with a smile and leave it at that. I go to events that are specifically for small children and hand them out. They are great. Anytime it comes up and we have little time to talk, I have something to give them to go home and use for more research. People are always very thankful.

[curt linderman sr]

Great article, I feel the same way, One thing you have to remember is : how much more can we "hurt our cause" by protesting? They hate us anyway, the press ignores us at best and attacks us at worst. Those that think we are nothing but conspiracy theorists and anti vaccine loons will not be able to treat us any worse. so we just need to forget PC bullshit and fight them as they attack us.
You should listen to Linderman Live on AO Radio while you're walking (we're available on podcast. There are a great number of people that feel just as you do. KEEP FIGHTING ALISON!

[Candice]

We ARE all there with you, Alison, in spirit!

[kim]

Lisa in TX - I have been asked to speak to the Pediatric Nurses' Association in our area about my son...is there a way I could look at your presentation? I have no idea where to start...there's just TOOOOOO much to say!
Maybe Stagmom could help you get my email address if so????

[CT teacher]

While I think that it is a good idea to try to spread the word by talking with others, I do see a couple of problems with using that approach as the sole means of educating the public about vaccine dangers.
First of all, it takes a lot time to spread the message to everyone. Every day more and more children are damaged by vaccines so we don't have the luxury of time.
Second, it is not all- inclusive. Let's face it. Not everyone has a computer, reads the paper or walks their kids to school. However, vaccine damage is everywhere....in the country, in small towns and in the inner city.
So, it seems to me that the best way to reach the most people is probably via radio & TV. The few attempts on Oprah, Larry King etc. have been successful and continued attempts should be made, but a public show of mass concern for this issue would capture the public's attention..if a sympathetic news outlet would provide coverage. I am certainly not advocating mass unrest, but organized, peaceful protest has been by and large successful at overcoming discrimination in this country, as well as elsewhere. This issue knows no boundaries , as vaccine damage is occurring worldwide. The US is a great place for the movement to begin. After all, the problems started here and we use the most vaccines. If we demonstrate to show our concern about vaccine safety and vaccine damage, most notably autism, the message will get out and other countries will follow.

[michael framson]

I don't remember the exact circumstances, but some years ago, there was a women, an ecological activist with a Ph.D in some environmental/biological field who was trying to get media's attention on an imperative environmental issue. She had the credentials, the science, and the evidence, but the media just totally ignored her.....until she took off her clothes. Suddenly, the media noticed. Perhaps not enough, and its a sad testimonial, but she was a warrior.

When you don't own congress, or spend millions of dollars on lobbyist and media advertising, and every agency of this corporate government is working overtime against you, all we have is our honesty, integrity, and the age old story of injustice and speaking truth to power. And that is where it is at, on everything which affects our lives.

If taking off our clothes at an IACC meeting gets the attention of law makers focused on this do nothing committee, then that to me would be worth it. I guess it's desperate times that call for heroic measures.

Business as usual at the IACC must end and the spotlight of their institutional obstructionism must be focused on the ineptitude of this agency and those most responsible for perpetuating the ills of so many children.

[GrammaKnows]

Ever wonder what Google Earth shots of your community would look like if there was a great big "A" on the roof of every family home affected by autism - multiple "A"s in families with more than one?

I don't mean just the homes of this kids that were diagnosed...I mean on Grandma & Grandpa's house, aunties & uncles, siblings & cousins, too. Hmmm...

I like the idea of a nonstop scrolling slide show, too.

[Henderson]

One bus stop conversation at a time. Or, for me, it's one dog walk at a time (the woods (plural), the park(s), the coffee shop/health food store little street, etc., etc.). I am a very chatty dog walker :).

The most important thing for me (in my over-educated major research university neighborhood - where everyone or their spouse is either a prof, a doctor, a nurse, lawyer, etc.) - is to start slow, gauge my audience, then be ready to roll the research off my tongue.

Our family's two very different and illuminating n=1 stories are interesting, to say the least. But, they are meaningless unless I know what is going on out in the university research world (especially, the one right where I live).

So, it is research, research, research. And, we are gaining ground - all of us - one person at a time.

[Alison (another Alison, not Alison MacNeil)]

I also wonder if we are getting anywhere.

I used to be an active poster on www.celiac.com's forum, and I have been told I will be banned if I post any more about vaccines. This, even though there are threads galore asking about links between celiac, autism, and vaccines.

And of course, those threads have plenty of people posting Offit's garbage AS FACT, with very few people disputing it.

I can't understand why people don't want to hear the truth, especially when it's backed by valid references.

[Isaacs Grandma]

Hey Alison,
You are not alone in your walk! I am there with you too! Thank you for mentioning us Grandparents who are fighting for our Grandchildren! Port-a Potty's? Who needs them? Maybe if all of the Grandparents out there who have been affected by Autism and tend to have weak bladders were to protest?.....just a thought

[Liz Parker]

Our words rest, like a blanket, over the landscape of devastation wrought by a Government, owned by an Industry, compelled by a blood-thirst for profit, cramming our young and infirm into its maw and disgorging delicate, lackluster Slaves to Pharmacy.

If only our words, so beautifully woven and full of angst, were truly considered by those who do harm without conscience...

Herein lies the problem, without conscience there is no SCIENCE, nor morality, nor integrity.

[Benedetta]

As over educated women (and men) Age of Autism is our class room, blogging and reading other blogs are our homework.

The real test, the real job, is not standing out with a sign through rain and shine (but I salute those that do), but the real test, the real job is tell tale your story to every doctor, nurse, medical personel, neighbor,friend, half way known acquiantence, any stranger that you strike up a conversation with (like waiting in a medical office, church members, and anybody else that listens.

Because of Age of Autism, I have more facts, I understand more of what happened to my family, I understand what has gone with others like my family. I am the over - educated and after 30 years that is what is going to make a difference.

[Robin Rowlands]

Poles, Politeness and Politics in the age of Twitter
By Stephen Fry
---
Robin Rowlands says:
6 November, 2009 at 10:44 pm

---
The Governments of Europe and the USA might argue that my letter must be suppressed
as it will bring their democracies into severe disrepute and trigger
widespread and possibly uncontrollable riots
---
The newspapers might argue that if they expose the truth they will be held to blame and account.
---
Those who serve the realm, that realm that politicians should steer clear of,
make no attempt to oppress or suppress me – they have formed their judgement.
---
---
Clearly the current Conservative Party have a lot to learn, New Labour on the other hand
are evil beyond words it is not enough that they lose the next election that mindset must be erased.
---
Those on the fringe of the New Labour might be considered ignorant however for those in the thick of it, there can be no quick foregiveness or political reconcilliation.
---
My letter is coming out – Europe needs to steer well clear of unwanted associations, unless they too suffer from a bizarre “form of autism”, (A of A - Apologies I Quote Mr Lellouche, France's Europe Minister)
after all you wouldn’t want to be the victim of an unfortunate and ill conceived translation.
---
Robin Rowlands - Merlin's Dad

[Sonja]

When we were attacked on 9/11, one way we showed our support was by putting a flag on our cars. The show of solidarity and support through all those waving flags was inspirational. We came together as a country in livid color everywhere you looked. We need another show of support. Our children have been attacked by the pharma terrorists and its time to raise those flags again. What if every family affected by autism were to put a flag on their cars. Would we have streets of waving flags again? Would society notice how many families are affected? Would we turn heads everywhere we go...I know we would... and it would be a beginning. Its time to show our collective support for our children in a very dramatic way. Our flag could be quite powerful. A parking lot full of them would raise our consciousness...rush hour would be a new experience. It's time to raise the flag for our children.

[ginnie]

The Yes Men are the people for the job for sure Gatogorra! If we could assemble and brainstorm with the Yes Men, Code Pink, Bill Maher, Michael Moore, and Jim Carrey and then have Amy Goodman report on it we'd have toxic vaccines go the way of leeches as medical intervention in a week.

[Lynn]

Let's also mention the pathetic US infant mortality rate that the CDC can't explain (30th in the world after Singapore)--in the news today:

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2009/11/06/CDC-US-ranks-30th-for-infant-mortality/UPI-45091257523585/

[we shall overcome]

Do you want protest? The overblown swine flu and its rushed vaccine is quickly becoming the eye opener on vaccines in general.

According to today's "El Confidencial", an Spanish on-line news outlet with 2.3 million readers in a country of 40 million people (links are in Spanish, sorry):

(http://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/vacuna-muertes-gripea-suecia-suiza-20091106.html)

The European Union viceminister for health has reported that there are 5 suspected deaths attributed to the H1N1 vaccine, reportedly 4 from Sweeden and one Swiss, one of those dying within minutes of receiving the shot. Furthermore, there are 190 reported nurses with serious allergic reactions to the vaccine in Europe. Sweden has restricted access to the H1N1 vaccine for the time being as a result.

With all this, the government of Poland refuses to buy H1N1 vaccines until they get further assurance of its safety. Poland claims that these vaccines have been rushed to market without proper safety studies.

In Spain half the doctors are refusing the H1N1 vaccine and there are increasing questions about what is seen as a profit driven vaccine craze taking place. As it turns out, 70% of Spanish doctors refuse to get the regular seasonal flu shot every year, a flu virus that these doctors claim is much more virulent than the H1N1 flu.

According to García Rada, a pediatrician at one of Madrid's largest hospitals, what worries him is the addition of a new vaccine to the schedule without proper studies to find out if it is really needed. According to this dostor "the immune system is a huge and largely unknown universe" and caution shiul be taken.

(http://www.elconfidencial.com/salud/medicos-no-vacuna-gripea-20091020.html)

The H1N1 vaccination is scheduled to begin in 10 days in Spain and this Spanish medium wonders who will stand first in line to take it.

[Maurine Meleck]

Great post, Alison. I know exactly where you are at and have had the same thoughts.
I was a college student during Viet Nam, a member of SDS, attended the anti-war rallies in NYC and DC and I know we made the difference in the eventual pull-out. It was all in the numbers of us. I'm with you all the way if there is a plan.
Also, Unlocking Autism had huge boards(they probably still do) of hundreds of kids from every state that they would bring to the DC rallies. It was a great idea and gave a face to autism.(which didn't have much of a face so many years ago) I think Julie's idea is good.
maurine

[Donna Kincanon]

"Bus-Stop-Mothers"

Sarah has brought our attention to the obvious and most effective way for us to communicate our message; one that we have all engaged in since our children were hurt--but we haven't organized it and used it as a movement to our advantage like we could have. Since we are 'outgunned' in media and representation in government, we shouldn't underestimate the power of the oral tradition among women seeking each others' counsel in rites of passage such as motherhood. Women passing down generations of wisdom to each other concerning child-bearing and child-rearing. It is still rare today that a new mother would not look to her mother to guide her when a new baby is on the way. Unfortunately, grandmothers were blind-sided when the autism epidemic hit. They were not familiar with it. Not any more.

New mothers are scared, there's no doubt about it. This epidemic of children sick with chronic disease has no historical precedent. This is actually working in our favor. Parents cannot look to their doctors for answers as they do not have any, with the result that the doctors have lost the confidence and trust of the parents today.

We mothers know our babies. How dare any government public health official or book-learned doctor and/or psychologist or university researcher try to tell me differently about what happened to my baby. They essentially are telling us that we don't know our babies when they try to tell us that our babies were born this way, that we just didn't know our babies well enough or that the mothers that came before us didn't know their babies. There is no bigger insult to a mother. The most incredulous claim is that our children have always been this sick (autism, asthma, diabetes, seizures, etc), it's that the mothers throughout time just weren't paying attention.

Now that the general public is aware that there is big problem with our nation's children's health and the medical professionals have no answers, we mothers (and fathers) can step up and fill the void, providing the necessary counseling of future generations of mothers. Speaking as one mother to another. The bus stop is as good as any place to start.

[Introvert]

Lisa's post aboout her Rotary Club presentation reminded me of a thought I've had in the back of my mind for a while. I agree that talking to our friends, neighbors and local groups is making a difference. What if we had a respository of slide presentations in one central place that we could download and personalize for meetings with school boards, civic groups, candidates for office, etc? I'm terrified of speaking in public, but I would be motivated enough to do my part! For example, I think school boards and local taxpayers would be interested to know the truth about the disinformation and propaganda that's being fed to them -- they're left to hold the bag in educating our kids. The financial aspects of this disaster alone affect every single person in this country.

Maybe three or four different versions, tailored to different audiences. Add a picture of your own child and your own story and you'd be all set...

[Gatogorra]

Julie-- wonderful idea. I guess "before and after" photos wouldn't be universally possible, particularly in the age of prenatal flu shots when some kids are born already injured. But many of us do have potent "before and after (and then another "after"-- after biomed)" pix. Maybe there could be categories but the simplicity of your idea is quite potent-- just all the injured kids.

[Gatogorra]

The Yes Men nailed the perfect nonviolent formula and it's a formula that doesn't clash with serious discourse. Some of our parent groups and activists and scientists have to continue the serious dialogue. But other factions among us could approach the whole thing from a different direction as far as forms of protest.

A rash or recent studies equating autism to familial histories of mental illness have basically "inoculated" the public against any "crazy" thing our movement or individual activists in our movement could do. Parent suicide, self immolation? Of course-- autism is genetic, the parent was crazy. Violent protest? Of course-- autism is genetic, the parents are crazy. If this was a chess match, we've been put in check, activism wise.

But sense of humor throws the game board over for some reason. We humans don't think that people who make us laugh are "insane" in the formal sense even if we say "That Eddie Izzard is so crazy!" in admiration-- we might even credit them with having a heightened grasp of logic. Mockery makes the OTHER side look crazy. Study the Yes Men. I'm sure they won't mind a bit.

[Mark Blaxill]

Great idea Julie. Maybe we could host it here on AoA (might take some technical due diligence to assess feasibility)? The large amount of traffic we get here would make it easy for us to generate large numbers relatively quickly.

[Donna L.]

Count me in. I often fantasize about a very large group of us moving about the country, and just parking it, with our kids, in each and every pediatrician's office where our kids were vaccinated. And each child would wear a tshirt, and on the back of each tshirt, the vaccines listed, and the dates on which they were given. Then, we just sit there, all day long. No speeches needed, no pamphlets with information, just us and our kids...and the pacing and flapping and tantrums and self-injurious behaviors and humming and screaming and bowel movements...all day long.

[Julie Obradovic]

Just a thought, but is there any way we could start a website with nothing but a constant slideshow of our children's pictures, and perhaps their first names? It would just be pictures, that's it, a face to put the tragedy. A non-stop 24 hour reminder that showed face after face after face after beautiful face of the "collateral damage" and call it "I am the Greater Good". (I have a shirt for Eve that says that, by the way. Always gets lots of looks and discussion.)

We could request it be continually rolling during all IACC meetings on a large screen so that the people serving those faces actually remember why they are there, and those of us who couldn't be there in person will be represented. A good place to direct people as well when they wonder why we fight so hard.

[Kathy Blanco]

The only way, in my humble dubious opinion, to outgun these people is hit them at their weakest, their profit margins/perceptions of safety. This is done by a general boycott. I don't know about you, but if my tire was not recalled, knowing it was killing and maiming kids, I would join the protest and not buy the product. In some part of my brain, I think that is the only way we will get attention. Taking the slings and arrows of "your not being a citizen", crap, and "herd immunity" (which is only based on the REAL disease not vaccinated populations) should be punctuated by, so you think killing and maiming kids is being a good citizen? This is a consumer product, which enjoys any object of liability. These people have NO INCENTIVE to change...the march to continue to vaccinate and add to the schedule will make people sicker, but they don't care a rats behind about that...once again, it's about the money. It's also about seeding the population with wicked retroviruses which are oncogenic, and slow and persistently destroying immune function...which makes everyone sick, which makes them profit off of it. This is their simple equation. This is their goal. Even the whislteblowers admitted that was their goals, to make disorders chronic, disabling enough that they don't see a way out, but by pharmaceutical interventions.

[rileysmom]

I will be there. Name the time and date. I will be there. So will Riley. I want him to be seen, to be known. I've said in the past that my child needs to be seen and heard for it to get through to those that don't have autism on their front door step (yet). If people don't see it everyday like we do than they can turn it off and ignore it until they watch it on the news or read about it somewhere.
I was unable to come to the Rally in June but NOW I will do whatever it takes to get to a sit in, rally, or what ever it will take. I'm tired of being polite. I'm tired of the people that expect us to "play nice" and be nice when they don't give us the same. I'm tired of being called crazy and loud and stupid when all I've done is be polite and stated "just the facts" of my son's brain damage.
Snyderman talks about women being dangerous...yea, but we've been polite too. It's time to stop being so damn "proper" and polite and nice.
Again, name the place and time. I'm willing and able.

[KC]

Teresa

Its a little long but I have always thought of this:

"I took my kids in for shots and all we got was this lousy autism"

[Lisa in Texas]

I just wanted to add that I recently gave a presentation to 100+ senior citizens at a Rotary Club luncheon on the autism epidemic and the story of my son's regression into autism. There was not a dry eye in the audience from what my mother-in-law told me. I had to start a sign up sheet in the back of the room because there were so many grandparents that wanted more information about how to help their grandchildren who had just been diagnosed. I thought it would be great to speak to Rotary Clubs and other civic clubs in my town and found over 50 of them interested in learning more about the autism epidemic. Don't underestimate the impact of a large group of concerned grandparents. They can often be a voice for us and help us when we don't have time to write letters and advocate for our kids. I encourage all of us to engage them!
By the way, that particular rotary chapter donated $40,000 to an autism charity!

[Kristen]

"I think we should bring our kids to an IACC meeting and stand in the hallways. Just stand there. Mouths closed. Eye to eye."

Kim, tell me which meeting to bring my son to and I will be there. He is severe and there's no mistaking. I have often thought about bringing him to school board meetings. Our kids are here and we demand answers, we demand help.

[Sarah]

...and those quiet conversations at the bus stop work! We are making a difference. A lot of people are questioning the safety of H1N1 shot.

We may not have the deep pockets to hire slick PR firms to front for us but I think people are getting the message... I've had new moms approach me with all sorts of concerns about the vaccine schedule. They know, they're scared.

We may not be able to undo the damage to our own children but perhaps we can prevent other kids from being injured. Spread the word, save a baby. Pay it forward!

[Jessica]

The only way people start listening is intense saturation - not only by the media but by parents like us.

My husband was mortified when I slapped a "Autism is Preventable and Reversible" blue bumper sticker on my car (thanks, GR!) but it led someone at his work to ask him about his son and what we are doing to help him. He now has one on his truck.

Flu season is especially obnoxious - my favorite fantasy is getting some "green our vaccines" stickers and sticking them to every flyer for flu vaccines at every pharmacy in our city.

[Twyla]

Allison, this is so very funny (in a dark way) "I want Nick to have a picture of Mummie going to jail because of what happened to him. What am I going to do? Show him a picture of me emailing and say 'I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years.'”

It is indeed at the point of becoming a protest movement, a civil rights movement -- for the right to make informed choices and for our tax dollars to be spent investigating the real causes of and effective treatments for vaccine injuries and autism.

In some ways, the current situation is quite discouraging. Still mercury in flu shots, NPR and NY Times and LA Times toeing the propaganda line, nothing changing, more vaccines in the pipeline. Yet, there is so much more awareness than there used to be. There used to be almost a total news blackout on the topic of vaccine injuries and autism. Now at least it's in the news. There's enough of a groundswell of concern so that the powers that be seem to feel it's not sufficient to just try to keep the cat in the bag; they are spewing propaganda, which is met by our blogging and emails and links to studies and sites with good information.

It is dismaying to watch videos from ten years ago and see how little has changed -- except that TACA is now in multiple states, and people have at least heard of the GFCF diet, and parents everywhere are expressing concerns to their pediatricians about the schedule and at least researching their decisions on vaccines rather than blindly accepting the schedule as we did. And those who experience adverse reactions to vaccines are more likely to know right away that that is what is happening.

Too little too late, but I do think change is occurring, and I also agree that civil protests are called for.

[candace]

count me in...candace

[Casey Ohlsson]

We are coming through... everytime a parent even has a small question about the proper healthcare of their child-- they think of us.
But you are right, I often think of not sitting back anymore--- what I wouldn't give to protest somewhere.
If we can get something organized-- I will be there!!! Dirty dishes and laundry be damned!

[Angela]

And forgive me, but one more GREAT quote from Friday Night Lights - applies here:

"Stop reading the news clippings. You're small and you're going to be smaller every week. There ain't going to be no growth spurt between now and the first game. You're going to use your minds! You're going to play with your heart! And that is what you're going to use to win the State Championship."

Substitute "State Championship" with the words "Beat Autism and/or a lifetime of illness."

[Angela]

Lisa in Texas - your post was excellent and brought to mind a quote from "Friday Night Lights" (about a TEXAS football team):

"Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It's not about winning. It's about you and your relationship with yourself, your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didnt let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is you did everything you could. There wasnt one more thing you could've done. Can you live in that moment as best you can, with clear eyes, and love in your heart, with joy in your heart? If you can do that gentleman - you're perfect!"

Lisa in TEXAS - thanks for being a warrior out there! You're PERFECT!

[we shall overcome]

I agree with everyone and I wished a massive protest would do it, but it is panfully difficult to get the message out there unless major media starts picking up the story and follow it with the intensity it deserves. And I, for one, am seeing positive steps in that direction every year because this autism disaster is not going away but getting bigger everyday. If the Offit line stuck it wouldn't have to be republished every few months.

I suggest we begin to group together with other families affected by the irresponsible vaccine schedule. I don't know how many parents with kids affected by asthma, severe food allegies, diabetes or gardasil have considered their obvious connection to vaccines, but it is worth to try to get in touch to whatever groups may be out there. They are victims like our kids and us and may join the fight if they can see the problem more clearly. The only problem I find is that it is much easier to live with asthma or diabetes than to live with autism, so the level of rage will be less on those parents. I already know plenty of families affected by autism that walk in line with their peds and won't question anything.

The truth of the matter is that most people don't like to step out of the herd, they'd readily follow the group right to the edge of the abyss and then jump. That is why it is so hard to change course on a fight like ours. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm definitely never going to quit, but it will take a long time unless some big event occurs, preferably some whistle blower goes public after collecting tons of info and starts publishing everything following a well planned campaign. The main problem is that most major media outlets are too tied to corporations and government agencies for funds and information to risk getting the info out. But if major media keeps struggling financially as they are, they will consider picking up our story, if only out of desperation, to bring back lost readership. The major story in this case is not Wired's Offit crap (hello there, Paul, I know you read this website everyday), that's very old news and it will not fly any higher. The breaking news is the big fat lie, growing fatter every day, about vaccine risks not being properly investigated, certain vaccines that shouldn't even be on the schedule (Hep-B and your rotavirus lottery, Paul, among them), the irresponsibility of giving months old children several shots at one time without propoerly investigating if it is safe, all of it creating a huge wave of health problems while the whole medical field has their head in the sand on this issue. That is the story and the sooner major media jumps on it the better will be for them, otherwise they are doomed. Web blogs keep growing and getting more respectable everyday, just the opposite of major newspapers. The atomization of information works in our advantage.

So don't hit your head so much, Alison, you do plenty already by being here, much more than you think. Just keep kicking and screaming. The present is already in the virtual space and a good blog goes longer than a public protest anymore.

[bensmyson]

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin a truck left running outside a school was stolen, inside the truck were 900 doses of the H1N1 vaccine.

The truck was taken shortly before 8 p.m. from the 1200 block of W. Highland Blvd. in front of Sarah Scott Middle School, where about 1,950 people received flu vaccinations Thursday.

So anyway, I was thinking...

The first rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about Fight Club.

The second rule of Fight Club is, you DO NOT talk about Fight Club.

[Teresa Conrick]

Count me in on the bus stop talk and protesting. Our kids are sick and more keep joining them. It is a never ending tragedy and we need to stop it.

I would like to see one of our autism organizations put out a bumpersticker that all of us have - one message seen in every state, on every highway, near schools, hospitals, and yes, by the White House and NIH - "My child was injured by vaccines and is now autistic"

Simple, thoughtful and to the point.

[L Land]

CDC protest last month

There were just a few people there

The Atlanta TV news covered it
In the middle of the nightly swine flu drum beat.

See the Archives

[Sue]

Yesterday while listening to NPR (and I agree their coverage of this issue is abysmal), I was struck by how they were making a big deal of about 2000 people chanting outside Nancy Pelosi's office regarding healthcare. How was that news when the 8,500 marchers asking for safer vaccines was not worthy of any coverage at all? (Unless I missed it, and I don't think I did, there was nothing on this march on NPR, zilch, nada.)

That makes me wonder how many other major protests about other issues just aren't getting any coverage either. Apparently the press loves to cover protests, but only if they serve the purposes of their advertisers. Fortunately there is more than one way to change the world.

Don't underestimate the power of a 1000, 10,000, 100,000 etc. quiet conversations, postings to listservs, letters to the editor, everyone's blogs, and outright refusal to partake further of vaccinations and pharma products. I like to move books like Evidence of Harm in the book store so it is more prominently displayed on the bookshelf, and thus more likely to be perused by shoppers. I got that idea from someone else, but I think it is a great one. Give dangerous books as gifts to friends, relatives, teachers, health care providers--some will get read. Carry the books around when you take the bus or fly, so others will see the titles and maybe get curious enough to start a quiet conversation. Leave informative leaflets inside magazines in your doctors offices--some will get read before anyone notices and tosses them out.

The steady drip, drip, drip of small protests is already making a difference--maybe not fast enough, but it is working. Thousands of people creating raindrops of truth everywhere is a force that neither the press, nor Pharma, nor government can control or suppress.

While many are still partaking, in just the last month I learned of a local RN and a neurologist who have joined this quiet protest by refusing vaccinations for their kids. When I go in Safeway and it is fairly empty, then I go in Whole Foods and it is overcrowded with shoppers--I know that the wind is shifting.

At some point, I think this is going to reach a critical mass and a paradigm shift will happen. It can't be soon enough, but I don't think people going crazy, sitting in trees, going on hunger strikes, or causing civil unrest is going to speed that process up. Rather that just plays into the hands of those who would like to paint folks who question vaccines, worry about pollution, eat organic foods, etc. as anti-vaccine greenie crazies. Such protests might make the news--but only because it offers just the images Orac, Offit, Wallace et al. try to create with their dismissive, arrogant words. Reasoned arguments based on facts will ultimately change minds, even if they don't draw or get any press coverage now.

Just as in recovering our kids' and our own health, slow, steady, and persistent will win the race. IMO I think we just need to focus on increasing the number, size, and frequency of our raindrops. Eventually the dam will break.

PS Don't give up on convincing older people--despite her continued faith in her doctors, my 80 plus year old mom no longer gets the flu vaccines. Some of her friends, though not all, are saying no thanks now too.

[KC]

Public health officials and vaccine promoters have too much vested interest in profits, careers and egos to listen. Unless they are elected officals - they are a waste of time.

I think the best way to reach others and start a change is one on one testimonials with people you meet. Don't force the conversation and don't get in arguments - they waste your time and energy, aren't good for your well being and cause others to shut out completely what you have to say (it also takes time from your child who needs you). Just simply and honestly state what you have seen and experienced. Then listen to others but don't argue. Listening to others will help you gain a perspective of where they are coming from personally. They are more likely to consider your viewpoint if you are considerate enough to hear theirs.

Unfortunately the numbers will continue to grow. I dont know when but it will reach a boiling point. Apparently 1% of the population isn't enough yet. As sad as that is, that really just means more people will see and experience what we have.

If you have planted enough seeds from being nonconfrontational those individuals will remember and hopefully they will start sharing their experiences too.

[Robin Nemeth]

Forget about the press and the television and the radio. I remember seeing somebody posting somewhere that they knew somebody who was planning to hunger strike. I knew it would do no good as the press wouldn’t cover it. She was just going to end up very hungry.

I’ve often thought about getting a can of spray paint and painting huge graffiti in public places. The kind of paint that surveyors use, the kind that will wear off or wash off after a while, so that way at least I would be responsible for a bit less in the way of destroyed property when they hauled my arse off to jail if I got caught.

Of course I’ve still got my flyers

http://wideopenwest.com/~r_nemeth/vaccine_flyer.htm

which I still distribute whenever I’m in a public place, and my bumper stickers

http://wideopenwest.com/~r_nemeth/bumper_sticker_puzzlepieces.htm

The other day I was speaking with my brother about this issue. I told him about the Ohio State University purchase of newspapers, which are distributed to students for free. A woman at the housing department there was quite nice and returned my phone call and gave me information about the newspapers they purchase. $40,000 dollars for the USA Today. $38,000 for the New York Times. I would sooner rip out my own hair and tongue and finger nails than have either paper in my home, but I’m paying for them anyway thru OSU. And twenty four dollars per student per quarter for cable television.

So I’m telling my brother about this, and wondering aloud how I can support my daughter getting this education all things considered. I’d just read, (online, not in any print newspaper), that a lead researcher in the development of Gardasil was questioning it’s use in pre-teens, but couldn’t get the print or television media to pay her any mind. I ended up writing a rather long letter to the OSU head of housing. I don’t suppose I will persuade her to do what she can to stop the purchase of these papers or this cable television, but perhaps I’ve changed one more mind or at least caused her to think.

My brother, mean time, has nothing to say to me about the matter except that “I wouldn’t go there… contacting OSU, not supporting your daughter in getting her education there. If you keep this up, you’re going to find yourself disconnected from everyone, even your own family.”

I told him that if it’s come to that I really have no use for remaining connected.

As I’m sitting here writing this I’m listening to the ads on Good Morning America. They don’t even bother asking me any more if I’m sad and depressed, if I have feelings of worthlessness. They tell me that I am and that I do. And of course that it’ll all be ok, if I only go and talk to my Doctor.

*big sigh*

Well, not to worry. I’ve no intention of doing that. No hunger striking, no happy pills. And frankly even if you had half a million show up for a DC protest, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the press didn’t cover it at all.

But you could count me in, anyway.

[Bob Moffitt]

Bennysmom wrote:

"This is a fight someone else needs to help us with. Say what you want but Autism Speaks was started by grandparents. Where are our children's grandparents, aunts, uncles, Sunday school teachers, preachers, where are the Save the Whale people, the nuts that sit in trees, where are the teabaggers?"

Remember the Berlin Wall? JFK was president in 1961 when construction of the wall began.

That damn wall stood for decades..built by a repressive regime in East Germany..to prevent people from escaping the nightmare their lives had become.

Two decades later...in 1989, I vividly recall watching CNN as thousands..in the dead of night... seemed to appear out of nowhere...climbed atop that damn wall...and...proceeded to tear it down...brick by brick..until just rubble remained.

I think it is safe to say this "mob" likely contained thousands of East German grandparents, aunts, uncles and Sunday School teachers who had tolerated that wall in silence for decades...and...suddenly exploded into a mob determined not to tolerate it any longer.

Is it too much to hope that our "silent mob" is out there...just waiting for the right opportunity...and...moment..to explode?

[Allison]

We are all walking with you Alison! I agree with the others that your line "I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years", was profound and hurts..My husband says this to me often, but honestly what we must remember is that 9/10ths of the computer investigation is trying to find our own avenues to heal our kids.

Lorenzo's Oil parents, that's what a genetic researcher told me when I had a conversation with him at a wedding. He was astounded that I knew as much as I did and could carry on a "work related" conversation without any degree or "paid" experience in research. The most frustrating part of autism is that you have to balance your time and get EVERYTHING in, in order to survive and make a difference:

Heal our kids one at a time, find time to do all of the "normal" things in life, Pay equal attention, worry and advocacy to their typical siblings, Research, research, research, activism, affect political change, keep our mental strength, find time for our spouses, find the money it all costs, find a place for our anger and make sure we do something outside of autism and the all encompassing jobs it comes with, in order to keep our sanity and strength replenished.

So we are all walking with you, listening to music, pondering our next move and simply replenishing our strength to fight on.

[Rae Nadler-Olenick]

A couple of years ago, Jim Lehrer of the News Hour spoke at the University of Texas and he came right out and said, "We (mainstream media) are the gatekeepers. We decide what the public will want to hear and should hear They're too busy to make those decisions so we do it for them." Not in those exact words, but comparable, and - yes - I recorded it. PBS and NPR, like the rest of the mainstream press, are of no use whatsoever in this fight, and we should ignore them. You, on the other hand, have accomplished a great deal with your bus stop talks. You have saved several families from tragedy, and hopefully these women will go on to talk to others at other bus stops. That's what it will take: many, many people doing what you're doing and saving lives one at a time.

[Stagmom]

If we march, we need to include our children. I've seen adults cry when they see my girls - the reality of autism hits them like a ton of bricks. Me alone? Just another middle aged, Starbucks sipping Mommy with a big mouth. Me with my kids? Completely different story. I think we should bring our kids to an IACC meeting and stand in the hallways. Just stand there. Mouths closed. Eye to eye.

[Lisa in Texas]

Alison, thank you for stating how so many of us really feel. I felt empowered for the first time since my son's diagnosis in 2002 at the Green our Vaccine rally, and that was a real turning point for me and my family. On that day, which happened to coincide with a phone call from the doctor's office while I was standing in line, I learned of the evidence of my son's illness. You see, the nurse was calling to tell me that my son had moderate to high heavy metal toxicity for 7 metals. This happened mere minutes before we began marching. I was fighting back tears, but that day changed my life. I worked through my own pain, intent on helping my son with HIS pain. I have never stopped fighting, and he is recovering from the damage he suffered after receiving 8 vaccines on one single day in 2001. I have a strong circle of supporters in my family, friends, church and office. They ALL know our story and they tell their friends. So, I figure I have directly or indirectly impacted thousands of people in a few short years. We are winning, slowly but surely. We CAN go against the giants. I have faith in God that righteousness will prevail. In all major wrongs throughout history- slavery, imprisonment, oppression- the wrongs were righted. Some took centuries, some took years, some took months...but we ARE making a difference. If I die tomorrow, I will know that I did everything in my power to right this terrible wrong and did everything I could to recover my son. That's what makes us warriors. Together!

[Mark Blaxill]

Alison,
I think you are really putting your finger on something important here. Yes, I have often said we are "outgunned", but that's in all of the conventional senses: money, access to media, formal organizational support, etc. Our challenge is to find our community's power and exercise it. Only when all of us are waking up every day thinking, "what can I do to make a small difference today?" we will find how much power we really have.

Think about it, when Jenny, Jim and JB go on Larry King, that's a great source of power, it gives us all leverage. I know for a fact that these rare breakthroughs make the AAP leadership turn apoplectic. When Louise changes the course of a gubernatorial election in NJ, the conventional political consultants who get paid when their candidates win will take notice. When Lyn fights with the IACC and is backed up by the moms and kids who show up for public comment, we make them uncomfortable. When Katie keeps watch on the IACC and calls them to account, they squirm even more. When new scientific studies like the primate study or the Warsaw study come out, it gives us strength if we spread the word. When HHS is forced to convene hasty press conferences to spin the 1 in 100 number, we gain legitimacy (especially when AoA gets to break the news and the MSM whines about bloggers skirtng the Marquis of Queensbury embargo rules).

But I think the thing that gives us the most power is the idea of thousands of us at bus stop #5 in thoughtful conversation with our friends and acquaintances pounding home the message that we need to speak the truth to power, that responsible parents need to learn not to trust the official propaganda and that means they need to take back responsibility for the health of children from corrupted bureaucracies like ACIP and AAP. We are a social movement and we need to find our power in our collective disobedience.

And sometimes we'll need to march. Count me in too.

[Deb in IL]

We are getting through to real people. My own parents, who doubted me a few years ago, just last week asked, "why are all these kids getting sick?". I repeated my stance about the toxins in our food (other grandkids have celiac and diabetes) are causing damage to the digestive system. They're coming around, one family member at a time, one friend-of-a-friend at a time. We are able to touch individuals in a real-life scenario. Can Pharma do that?

In real life, when someone brings up the science, I mention my DAN doctor was a pediatrician, and when Autism happened to his kid, he didn't accept the treatment plan. He is a real scientist because he looked at all the outcomes, reversed the vaccine damage and brought back his kid. He is now helping others do it. If it's NOT the food and vaccines, then why are kids recovering when the treatment plan is reverse the food and vaccine damage? That's layman's terms logic.

Keep pushing Desiree Jennings' story. It's a shocking example of vaccine damage, verified by "their side", dead-end treatment plan offered by "their side" being reversed by our side.

OUR SIDE. One story at a time is going to take them down.

[dan olmsted]

Alison -- thanks for this great post. you are putting your finger on an issue that is about ready to reach critical mass. there are a lot of ways to go about it -- one could be to protest outside the nih. seems to me that they are the enablers, through their ongoing IACC charade, of denial and delay. (the cdc is a scandal, but they are not the ones charged with figuring out the cause and treatment of autism, the nih is). plus, bernaidine healy, the former nih head, has spoken out on our side. there is a metro stop right there. hundreds of parents could magically appear at this highly restricted and heavily guarded facility with big posters of their afflicted child demanding access, a meeting with insel, whatever. just my two cents, there are many ways to go. but i agree it's time to think hard about this. -- dan

[Beth]

And we'll sing:

"All we are say-ing...is give TRUTH a chance..."

We'll share our true stories - yes, vaccine damage happened - we SAW it right before our eyes - and yes, it is still happening everyday; and yes, mainstream MDs dismiss 99.99% of reactions as coincidental - which is BS - and yes, they even dump their vaccine damaged patients when they express concerns about vaccine safety; and yes it's true, by denying the root cause of vaccine damage there is NOTHING mainstream medical professionals can do to fix the problems they cause.

Even the smartest and the brightest at prestigious places like Johns Hopkins and Harvard are clueless and worthless on reversing vaccine damage - because they deny that vaccine damage occurs!

And on the flip side, we'll share the positive stories - like yes, there are MDs and other health professionals out there who can and are helping vaccine damaged kids and adults recover from the myriad health problems caused by vaccines.

Sounds a lot like "Green our Vaccines" eh?

I'm so grateful that the Informed Consent and Vaccine Safety movement has Jenny M and now Desiree a 3 million+ hits YouTube postergirl helping share these truths.

[CT teacher]

I'm a grandma and a retired school teacher. I still work part time in schools. One of the schools has several severely affected autistic children. Whenever I say something about autism and vaccines or trying to recover children using Biomed, people tune me out. You can see it in their eyes. Also,my friends don't even want to talk to me about it anymore. They just think I'm a radical nutcase. People in our age bracket believe so strongly in the medical profession and the vaccine program that they won't even entertain the idea that either could be wrong. Unless they are personally affected they want to avoid the subject. These are the same people who rush out to get their flu shots every year, who are on all kinds of prescription meds, which they refuse to think could be causing some of their chronic health problems. We are all watching friends die of cancer and it seems only I question the mutilation and poisoning of cancer patients with traditional treatment. Most don't believe autism is epidemic. Several of my friends even have grown kids who I know are on the spectrum, but they don't see it because of the deep denial they are in. So, give up on this age group. They are hopeless cases.
As to the protest, I want to caution you about the PRESS. Back in the year 2003, before the start of the Iraq war, I attended several protest marches that were very well attended in my state capital. They never made mention of them on TV or in the newspapers. Then in March of that year, right before the war started, there was a big one in NYC. Again, the press ignored it and there were thousands of protesters there. Ditto for another one to stop the war a year or two later. My point is that the PRESS has to cover any protest movement in order for it to have an impact. I personally think the idea of a massive protest has some merit, but I want to caution people about what we are up against. It is the PRESS that is keeping this entire fiasco from coming to the public's attention. I also believe the public should be warned not only about autism and vaccines, but other health problems and vaccines as well. How do you overcome this blackout by the press? It seems that the people in control of this country, and it is NOT our elected government, have learned well from Bernays and Goebbels how to shape public thought. That said, I have hope that this idea is becoming more mainstream and all of us who know that vaccines are dangerous must find ways to have our voices heard. If we could just find one sympathetic news outlet, the process could begin. I wonder if Amy Goodman on Democracy Now might touch it.

[Tracy McDermott]

How do we change the message so media will take notice? Enough already about the "disputed studies" that sucked in the first place.
What if we bombarded the press with real profiles... real immune dysfunction on lab testing, real documentation of regression.. real heavy metal excretion. What if we asked the press for a "truce on the controversy" and dared them to actually report on Autism as the multi-faceted condition that it is? What if this consisted of a fax, email, letter campaign to all mainstream press avenues? What if each profile told the same vaccine regression story that we all know too well.
What if the press REALLY reported why we are mad as hell?

[Alison Davis]

"Justice will only be achieved when those who are not injured by crime feel as indignant as those who are." -- King Solomon

We must all be our Harvey Milk (without getting shot!).

[Stacie]

They didn't damage my child but they damaged me. Because of what their vaccines did to me - well, that led me to you. I am just as angry as you and I have the EXACT same thoughts daily. I want to be heard. I want to give a voice to all the children who don't have one.
I am so THANKFUL for this website because I feel it is the only place I can read TRUTH. However, it still leaves me with a bad taste in mouth because though we like minded people all gather here - it feels as if on a larger scale nothing is being done. I dream about how to have a David and Goliath moment to bring Pharma down. Daily. I keep praying someone braver, bolder, or just plain guttsier than me does SOMETHING. I figure something will happen in the next two years. I 100% believe in 2 yrs after all these double flu shots/double H1N1 shots - the autism rate will be 1:20/1:30 and there will be so many that the government is simply over-run with victims. As sad as it is to say, everyday another parent learns their child is autistic and everyday another parent comes into this fold. One day, one of those parents is going to get loud and get heard.
However, I am here, I am mad, and I will be mroe than happy to sit with you on the lawn of the White House anytime.

[Tanners Dad]

“I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years.”

Wow that hurts... My wife just said that to me the other day. I have written on this very topic.

I have a friend who went more than 30 days on a hunger strike for Autism Awareness of services for the needy and got no mainstream press.

I know again it is passive but until we build a unified base... we have nothing but Building numbers on our side.

I am marching with you every minute of every day! In Tears Tim

[Angela]

It's very "David and Goliath" but we know what happened in that story!

Keep the faith and don't stop fighting. We're with you Alison!

[bensmyson]

“I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years.”

I think of all kinds of trouble I can get into, locked up for hanging banners off of bridges and chaining myself to the front gates of Merck headquarters ending up in jail, away from my son, $10,000 to some defense attorney that could go to Ben's therapy.

I would love to throw a pie in the face of one of our enemy, I would love to see our efforts be as organized as ACT-UP was in the 80, alerting the world to AIDS. I would love to be a cog in the wheel of big pharma. But I love my son more. I'm sure it's selfish, but it's also survival. I guess if I felt someone would make sure my wife was OK, Ben never noticed I was gone away workin on a chain gang, Id do just about anything.

This is a fight someone else needs to help us with. Say what you want but Autism Speaks was started by grandparents. Where are our children's grandparents, aunts, uncles, Sunday school teachers, preachers, where are the Save the Whale people, the nuts that sit in trees, where are the teabaggers?

It's not what I can do, or what I want to do to ease my rage, yes I lay awake some mornings thinking of ways to hurt our son's and daughter's enemies and their stockholders, making stocks in these companies worthless. It's what others should be doing.

I guess we need to bring people to Jesus, evangelize, get out the vote, start letting people know we need help and tell them exactly what to do.

The day 50 gray haired grannies show up at a school board meeting with signs, holding pictures of their grandchildren neglected by the policies of a local school system it will be then I know I can leave home for a couple of days to throw a few eggs and toilet paper a few yards.

I'm with you 100% Alison, “I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years.” There has to be another way!

Thanks for making me think this morning about what I really need to be doing.

[Charlie]

I want to scream! SCREAM until "real" action(not make believe like the IACC) is taken to end the damage being done to our precious kids by the bloated, dangerous vaccine schedule. I'll be more than happy to stand (or sit) shoulder to shoulder with you Alison.

Last night, I saw the movie "MILK" and was inspired by what Harvey Milk did to rally those around him to achieve real change. Paul Offit is our Anita Bryant.

Where is our Harvey Milk?

[Alison Davis]

"What am I going to do? Show him a picture of me emailing and say “I was so mad you were hurt by your vaccines I was on the computer for years.”"

Great point, Alison. My eldest son tells me to get off the computer, because the "idiots in Washington don't care about me." !!! I want you all to know I have NEVER said anything like this around him. I actually have never said this. If I truly believed that, I would have never participated anywhere: DC, Atlanta, or even at my computer.

I think government "cares", but obviously not enough. Perhaps we still have not shown them yet that they must make our children the highest priority over other interests.

[Jeanne]

I'm in. Pick a date.