Birt -Chicago Tribune

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Birt

1956-2005

Advocate for autistic kids

As the mother of a child with the disorder, the attorney was a `relentless

warrior' fighting for the rights of such youths

By Sadovi

Tribune staff reporter

Published December 31, 2005

When Birt's 2-year-old son, , was diagnosed with autism

in 1996, she focused on the medical profession that she believed was not

properly dealing with the disease.

She believed childhood vaccines were behind her son's disorder, which

prompted her to lead a campaign as an advocate for autistic children. That

campaign ultimately took her to Capitol Hill, said her ex-husband, Maurice

.

From her home in Wilmette, Ms. Birt garnered enough interest i! n the cause

that she was sought out by several congressmen to serve as an attorney for

the House Committee on Government Reform.

While on the committee, she researched health-care issues affecting the

Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention and co-wrote a congressional staff report, " Mercury in

Medicines--Taking Unnecessary Risks, " published in the Congressional Record

in 2003.

Ms. Birt, 49, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, of injuries from a car accident

outside Aspen, Colo., where she had property and was visiting friends for

the holidays.

" She was a devoted mother who fought very hard for the rights of disabled

children, and she never gave up on trying to make things better for

autistic children and families of children with autism, " said. " This

rather small woman on her computer was able to move the world. "

Ms. Birt, a native of Kansas City, Mo., founded the non-profit groups

Medical Intervention for Autism and Coalition for Safe Minds. She along

with several other mothers became known nationally as the " Mercury Moms "

for their stance against thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in

vaccines.

She was featured in Kirby's book " Evidence of Harm--Mercury in

Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical Controversy " published in April.

On Friday, the National Autism Association prominently noted Ms. Birt's

death on its Web site, and officials called her death a profound loss.

" Liz was not only a friend, but a hero as well, " the association's posting

said. " Her mission to find the truth for children diagnosed with autism has

impacted all who share that goal. Blessed with a beautiful mind and

dauntless courage, Liz has shown us what it is possible for us to achieve

when our focus remains firmly upon the future of our children. "

Along with her work as an advocate, Ms. Birt was a health-care attorney

with Lebow & Malecki LLC in Chicago, where sh! e worked for nearly three

years, said Joan Lebow, her employer and friend for 12 years. Before

working there, she served as an associate with the law firm Ross & Hardies.

She began her legal career as an assistant general counsel to what is now

Rush University Medical Center.

Ms. Birt worked as an insurance underwriter before moving to Chicago in

1990 to attend De University School of Law, where she received a law

degree and a doctorate in tax law. Ms. Birt stood apart from others because

of her drive and sharp intellect, Lebow said.

" About 99.9 percent of the population would just be too lazy and

self-involved to fight so hard and give up so much to the greater good, "

Lebow said. " It never daunted her. She knew she had to do something and she

did it. "

While she focused much of her time on her son , who will turn 12 on

Jan. 14, she also had enough time for her other children, , 9, and

, 13, said.

" She was a relentless warri! or. She devoted her life to her children, "

said.

Ms. Birt also is survived by her father, ; and her brothers, Jim and

.

Visitation will be held Wednesday and a burial mass will be said Thursday

in Kansas City, Mo.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at St. Francis Xavier

Church, 524 9th St., Wilmette.

http://tinyurl.com/7mq2a

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Sheri Nakken, R.N., MA, Hahnemannian Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Nevada City CA & Wales UK

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