Reply to NAA

[Guest guest]

To the members of NAA,

Thank you for your quick response. We do need to make things clear, however.

Nowhere in our letter does it speak of division. Our goal was to let you know

the public is being unintentionally misled in many of the messages set forth by

autism/mercury organizations. The letter was sent to all organizations in which

this applies. The original letter was addressed to NAA and SafeMInds due to the

leadership role they play in " mercury awareness "

We have stated that we all support the efforts of these groups, through

awareness, education, research and fundraising. Many who signed on are also in

the treatment field. At no time do we wish to divide and conquer.

We are fully aware of your past achievements and future endeavors. We are very

grateful and appreciative of your many accomplishments. No other organization

has brought the parents together so passionately.

NAA and Safe Minds are very public and what the public is " seeing and hearing "

is a NO MERCURY campaign. What happens within your circle and within the autism

community is one thing. What is happening to the common person however, is

confusion. Many perceive thimerosal as the enemy and feel vaccines are safe

without them. Many parents do not have the time and/or resources to further

investigate vaccines and their complications. They look to national

organizations for answers. We need to make the message clear that thimerosal is

one of the problems.

We are aware of the research into the measles connection, yet little attention

is given to the vaccine's dangers. Another misconception that is circulating is

that separating the MMR vaccine is safer. Nowhere has this been proven. So you

can see the complications with vaccines and its misunderstandings are endless

and need to be further explored.

There is only so much one can do and addressing these issues has made a huge

impact on our society. Again, we thank you for your leadership in this role.

Our only wish is that we encourage the parents to look further into this matter.

By continuously focusing on mercury we are creating a smoke screen.

We need to empower the people to make their own choices. We need to inform the

public that vaccines are an option and exemptions exist.

This is not an attack on your organization, but an attempt to share with you

what we are seeing and hearing from others as they interpret your message. You

speak of uniting and that too is our intention; to unite and inform parents of

their options.

Your desire to change legislation is important but real change will occur when

the public is fully aware.

Compensation for our thimerosal- injured children is expected, but we also have

the duty to prevent further vaccine damage. It is sad, but true that many

vaccine-injured children are receiving thimerosal-free boosters by the request

of their parents, causing further irreversible damage. This is the nightmare

that needs to end.

We thank you for inviting us to your Power of Truth Rally and as you know some

of us will be there. We would not join in if we did not support you. Please do

not accuse us of creating division. That was never our goal. We agree thimerosal

needs to be addressed, therefore we are in union with your efforts, but by

disregarding our views, division lies in your hands.

Your accomplishments have been outstanding but as with all good deeds, things

get misconstrued. Our hearts go out to all of you and making our statement was a

tough decision. We knew some would see this in a negative light and we took the

risk of being " the bad guy. " However, the many responses we are receiving are of

gratitude. Endorsement and signatures to be added to the letter are pouring in.

Apparently we have hit a nerve.

We know you will continue to do great works and our prayers are with you. Do

not forget however, that we all play a vital role in our children's future.

Dotty Scalco

Barbara Labrecque

Labreque

Ray Gallup

April Oakes

Ellen Sweeney

Badillo

Sherri J. Tenpenny, DO.

*******************************************************************

Dear Echo, et al:

Since you have made this a very public accusation, we have no choice but to make

a public response. Therefore we are copying everyone that was copied on your

emails.

Thank you for the kind words on our accomplishments on behalf of children

suffering with autism and related disorders. We look forward to working with you

towards attaining our common goals, and hope that such distractions set in

motion by your letter will not break the crucial ties that bind us.

Regarding mercury-containing vaccines, we need to point out that our position on

thimerosal has never been that thimerosal-free vaccines are completely safe, but

that mercury, a well-studied and documented neurotoxin, has no place in vaccines

and should be avoided. The perceived controversies surrounding our efforts, much

like your efforts, are only magnified when the focus narrows on divisiveness as

opposed to finding sound care and treatments for our children. In other words,

confrontation and disagreement can only be viewed as a good thing by those with

a vested interest in covering up the truth behind an epidemic of neurological

disorders among our nation's children. It is regrettable and potentially

devastating to all our efforts for any among us to play into the hands of our

mutual adversaries by assisting in a " divide and conquer " strategy.

We would prefer to spend our time working with those who share our mission, as

do many of those who signed this letter, for the good of the affected

individuals. Gathering signatures to gain momentum on the issues important to us

can be an effective tool when used wisely. There are several worthy targets for

such efforts within the pharmaceutical industry and our government agencies, but

targeting our own is detrimental to all of us.

Perhaps you are unaware that through a grant by NIEHS, NAA and Safe Minds

sponsored a symposium called, " Environmental Factors in Neurodevelopmental

Disorders " on August 25-26, 2005. We gathered world-renowned experts together to

look at all environmental factors contributing to autism including ALL vaccines

and their components.

Presently we are advocating adding amendments to the Combating Autism Bill

asking for immediate research into the biomedical needs of autistic children

including worthwhile treatments and clinical trials studying immunology,

gastroenterology, endocrinology, and toxicology.

It is in this same spirit that we are spearheading a multi-organizational effort

to march on Washington October 7th and 8th for all of the biomedical needs of

our children, not just the mercury issue. We will protest at the National

Convention of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) chanting that they have

abandoned our children. At the parent-purchased booth of Generation Rescue at

AAP, we will have advocates for the cause (including DAN doctors) talking with

pediatricians to spread the word that our children can be helped biomedically

with diets, anti-virals, anti-fungals and chelation. We plan to have before and

after videos showing miraculous recoveries of children having only received

anti-virals. We are not taking a " chelation only " agenda.

Lastly, you are obviously not aware that NAA gave over $20,000 last year to

Steve 's lab to help isolate the measles virus, specifically vaccine

strain, from the intestinal samples of autistic children. We hope to get results

on this work soon thus helping to replicate Dr. Wakefield's important work with

published peer review studies.

As an organization, our members and the kindness of the community has allowed

NAA to not only provide funds such as this for environmental research, but

financial assistance to families, especially single parents, who are desperate

for therapies, special food, even to pay the rent. Our goal has also been to

raise awareness about autism and to advocate for children---many of our unpaid

volunteers have worked tirelessly to lobby in Washington for their rights.

NAA is hosting a conference November 10-13, 2005 where we will highlight all

different medical interventions and treatments to help our children and, in

fact, two people who signed your letter are presenting at our conference, thus

showing that we are open to everyone's theories and opinions.

We ask you to not seek division among the very people, professionals and

organizations that our children so desperately need to hold together as one. We

believe we will achieve the most for children when we all work together. We

hope to see you all at the Rally and the American Academy of Pediatrics

Convention this weekend in Washington where we can stand together for the

betterment of all of our children.

Sincerely,

National Autism Association

Jo Pike, Executive Director

Fournier, President

Bono, Board Chair

Rita Shreffler, Secretary

Rosemarie Dubrowsky, Treasurer

Lori McIlwain - Media Relations Director

NAA Board Members:

Bono

Bothwell

Ann Brasher

son

J Krakow

Adrienne Britt Rousseau

Steve Stoddard

**********************************************************************

Subject: Parents, Activists, and Professionals Speak Out

The undersigned invite you to add your name to the list if you fully agree with

our statement.

October 2, 2005

To the members of NAA and Safe Minds,

It is with sincere concern for all children that we are writing to you. The

undersigned are all parents, activists and professionals that have been involved

in the battle for the truth about our past and current vaccine policies.

We first want to thank you for all your efforts in exposing the facts about

thimerosal. We understand the difficulties of raising an autistic child and we

commend you for taking on this vital job.

With the publicity and media attention, you have generated, people are becoming

more aware of the dangers of vaccines and the conflicts of interest that consume

our political bodies. We applaud you for this. However, we are deeply worried

about the message that is being " received " .

Most of us are involved with parents on a daily basis. We all do our best to

stay abreast to the latest information. What has emerged through thimerosal "

political action " is increased confusion among parents regarding vaccination.

The message sent by Safe Minds and NAA and a select group of other organizations

is that all vaccines are safe for all children as long as the mercury

derivative, thimerosal, is removed.

The undersigned are well aware that this simply is not true and we believe many

within your organizations also know that this is not true. Plunging into

vaccines side effects and dangers is not necessary. We are all intelligent human

beings who have spent many sleepless nights going over every detail. It is a sad

realization when one discovers that something intended to promote health is in

fact causing injuries and sometimes death. The thought of telling a parent of a

vaccine injured child or a child with a compromised immune system to request

thimerosal free vaccines is incomprehensible to us. The dangers of vaccines

existed before thimerosal and will continue to exist after its removal. All

parents need to be told that vaccinations come with risks and that exemptions

exist. We all support parents having an informed choice. Safe Minds and NAA have

given parents more options, no doubt, but by giving parents the false sense of

security to vaccinate with thimerosal free vaccines will further complicate and

confuse the public.

Unfortunately, the legal systems have many of our hands tied. Laws need to be

changed and we are aware of the related implications. We fully support all

efforts for changing legislation and thank you for your leadership role.

Whether through community awareness, education, fundraising, research etc. we

have all supported your mission. Thimerosal in vaccines needs to be addressed

and hopefully the thimerosal controversy will provoke research into the whole

vaccine issue. However, we unite and pray, that parents can be advised to

investigate vaccines further before making any vital, irreversible decisions.

Visible groups, such as yours, have the opportunity to change history by

exposing the whole truth about vaccines, not just the truth about thimerosal.

We respectfully implore you to consider the position you are representing, for

the sake of all the children.

Sincerely,

Dotty Scalco

Founder/Director, The E.C.H.O. Foundation

Mother of vaccine injured son

Labrecque

Barbara Labrecque

Child Advocate and Autism Representative

Environmental Activists

Parents of 2 vaccine-injured children

Marge Grant

Author of A Stolen Life

Founder of Wisconsin Citizens for a Free Choice

Mother of a DPT (non mercury ) injured son

Nikki Riggs

Child Advocate, UK

Mother of a vaccine injured son

Ray Gallup

Founder of The Autism Autoimmunity Project (TAAP)

Father of a MMR injured son

April Oakes

President of The Autism Autoimmunity Project (TAAP)

Mother of a vaccine injured daughter

Sherri J. Tenpenny, DO

President/CEO, OsteoMed II and New Medical Awareness, LLc

Harold Buttram ,MD

Vijendra Singh,PhD

Associate Professor of Neuroimmunology

Utah State University

Shaw, Ph.D.

Laboratory Director

The Great Plains Laboratory

Neil Z.

Director, Think Twice Global Vaccine Institute

Author, Vaccines: Are They Safe and Effective and

Vaccines, Autism and Childhood Disorders

W , Jr., MD

Professor of Surgery

Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery

University of Washington School of Medicine

Director, Cardiac Surgery, VA Medical Center, Seattle

Sheri Nakken, R.N, MA, Classical Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network

Well Within, Director

Nevada City, California

Miranda Castro

Homeopath/Author

Tedd Koren, DC

Dr Snyder

Founder/Director, Alternative Medical Center

Leach, DC

L. , HD(R.Hom.), DIHom.

Professional Sequential Homeopath

President/Co-founder, Homeopathy Center of Houston

Mother of two vaccine injured children

Lindyl Lanham, HD(R.Hom.), DSH-P

Professional Sequential Homeopath

Vice President/Co-founder, Homeopathy Center of Houston

Esteban Genoa, MD

Bioenergy Wellness Center

Ellen Sweeney

President, The Autism Autoimmunity Project of New Jersey

Founder, Parents for Autism Autoimmune and Vaccine Education (PAAVE-NJ)

Mom to a vaccine-injured son

Jillani

Director, PAVE (People Advocating Vaccine Education)

Trustee, TAAP

Dawn

PROVE (Parents Requesting Open Vaccine Education)

Badillo

Vice President Board of Director Development Delay Resources

Autism Consultant

The E.CH.O. Foundation

Educating on Children's Health Options

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Autism is 1 in 150 children today, 1 in 68 families! TAAP (The Autism

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