Guest guest Posted December 29, 2004 Report Share Posted December 29, 2004 TCPalm To print this page, select File then Print from your browser URL: http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/health_and_wellness/article/0,2543,TCP_1040_3427731,00\ ..html MATTHEW RATAJCZAK staff photographer At their home in Port St. Lucie, Dorothy Scalco works on a home-school lesson with her 8-year-old autistic son, Donovan. After years of research on vaccines and autism, Scalco believes Donovan's disease was caused by the high levels of mercury injected into her son through common vaccines. In her attempt to inform parents and the general public on the issue, she works with the Florida chapter of the Autism Autoimmunity Project, speaking on a regular basis to different groups. PSL mom questions child vaccinations By Friend correspondent December 28, 2004 Dorothy Scalco, a mother of three from Port St. Lucie, has become an advocate for vaccine reform since her son, Donovan, developed autism - a condition she thinks was caused by a double dose of the MMR shot he received when he was 18 months old. After watching her son go from being a " perfectly normal toddler " to having night tremors and auditory sensitivities - he is disturbed by even the slightest sounds, such as a fly buzzing in the living room - Scalco said there is not much anyone from the medical community could say to convince her that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges on its Web site that some vaccines can have side effects, which may include slight fever, rash or soreness at the site of injection. The CDC also notes that serious reactions can occur, albeit in extremely rare cases. However, " after decades of vaccine use in the United States, current research shows no reliable evidence proving that vaccines cause chronic illness " such as autism, diabetes, Crohn's disease or cancer, the Web site states. Since Donovan's regression, however, it has been Scalco's mission to tell her story to as many parents as possible. And this year's decision by the CDC to recommend flu shots for children younger than 2 has added fuel to the fire. " I think the anger and disappointment are what drive me, " she said. " Donovan's my godsend. He's why I do this. " Spreading the word Scalco regularly lectures with the Florida chapter of The Autism Autoimmunity Project, a non-profit organization. Most of her lectures are given to groups of moms at chiropractors' offices, and she has also presented information at autism, natural health and chiropractic conventions outside the state. When she lectures on the topic, she tells parents: " Here's the information, here's the facts. Go home and read it and make an informed decision. I know what it's like to be a new mom with a new baby, and you want to protect them from all these evil things. I understand what it feels like, and I know what it feels like to say no. It goes against everything you've been taught. It's a tough nut to swallow. " Scalco is part of a growing number of parents who have begun to question the necessity and safety of the number of vaccines recommended for children - up to 26 are now recommended before a child reaches the age of 2. The CDC, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, say all of the vaccines are safe and urge that all children receive all of the shots. In fact, the CDC recently put children under the age of 2 on its priority list of people who should receive the now-scarce flu shot. Risk vs. benefit The CDC takes the risks associated with both chicken pox and the flu very seriously, according to CDC spokesman Curtis , who said not getting children vaccinated puts them and the rest of the community in grave danger. said that last year, 120 people died from chicken pox and 152 from the flu. This year, flu shots were put on the list of recommended vaccines for children between the ages of 6 months and 23 months. " The flu may not sound that serious, but it's pretty serious for at least those 152 (people). For most children, chicken pox is not serious, but there are a number of children for who it can be very serious, " said. Dr. Jampol, a father of two, has been practicing pediatric medicine in Port St. Lucie for 10 years. He, too, is a strong advocate of vaccines. " The most difficult thing about vaccines is their own success. People forget what those vaccines accomplished when those diseases were present. The vaccines are so effective. " " The bottom line, even if one of those side effects were proven to be linked to vaccines, it is in such rare occasions. The benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks. " Jampol added that he is sympathetic to parents' apprehension over vaccines and will agree to not vaccinate a child as long as the parents sign a form that says, " I understand the risks of not having my child vaccinated. " " I try not to be the boss of the situation, I want to be part of a team. ... But, I usually try to talk them into it later on. " Misled by fear Rainer of Fort Pierce is another mother who could not be convinced. The mother of six says she is disturbed that parents are often persuaded into getting their children vaccinated for illnesses that she believes could be treated with something as simple as a healthy diet. She recalls a visit she made this summer to the County School Board offices, where she saw a brochure promoting the chicken pox vaccine. The brochure displayed pictures of babies with boils on their faces. " My children have all had chicken pox. None of them had it like that, " she said. " I mean, I had the mumps when I was a kid. I didn't die. " Rainer thinks telling parents it is necessary to get their children vaccinated for illnesses such as the flu and chicken pox is misleading. " If you have a healthy immune system, you can fight these things off. I believe in good nutrition and eating healthy to be healthy. And, I do believe it's as easy as that, " Rainer said. For parents who think other vaccines, such as measles, mumps, rubella and polio, are not necessary because they are for diseases that are no longer around, encourages them to consider that those diseases are not prevalent today thanks to the vaccines' success. If the number of people vaccinated in the U.S. drops below 90 percent, there could potentially be an outbreak, said. " It's important that we keep as high a level as possible. You're not only protecting the individual child, you're protecting the whole community through what is known as 'community immunity' or 'herd immunity,' " said. " The larger the number of people vaccinated, the less likely an outbreak. " Recommended vaccines for children Hepatitis B - 3 doses Hib - 4 doses Polio - 4 doses DTaP - 5 doses Pneumococcal - 4 doses Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - 2 doses Varicella (chicken pox) - 1 dose Hepatitis A - 2 doses Influenza - 1 dose every flu season Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention On the Web www.909shot.com www.cdc.gov www.vaccines.com www.immunize.org www.vaccineinfo.net www.vaclib.org www.mothering.com Copyright 2004, TCPalm. . DEFINITION * TREATMENT * PREVENTION Autism is 1 in 150 children today, 1 in 68 families! TAAP (The Autism Autoimmunity Project) is a non-profit charity dedicated to obtaining funding for independent research into the cause, treatment and prevention of autism and other autoimmune disorders. Please visit our new website at http://www.TAAP.info and " TAAP into the Truth! " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Re: Autism and children with mercury vaccine issues. Dr. Buttar can attest to mercury poison and autism. He provided compelling testimony to Congress, before Congressman Dan Burton's committee in May 2004. He also provides chelation therapy for children with Autism with positive results. Virginia. I am able to provide additional information to anyone interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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