Birt -Chicago Tribune (so sad)

[Guest guest]

Birt1956-2005

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 in 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 she 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 warrior. 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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csadovi@...

This is a picture of Liz Birt siting with her autistic son, it is a

> CNN story.

>

> http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/conditions/03/02/autism.ap/