Kirby does it again!

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

Just got home alittle while ago from the panel discussion at SUNY

Farmingdale titled,

" Autism & Inoculations: Is There a Link? " with Kirby, Dr. Mike Rosen

(WB11 news in NYC), Beth Petraco (suffolk county health dept) and Dr.

Tegay from SUNY Stony Brook who works in genetics.

http://www.ddiinfo.org

here is my report:

Rainy and chilly night on Long Island. There were about 200-300 people in

attendance. They started about 20 minutes late- not sure because I saw so

many " old friends " I lost track of time. I had gotton there two hours early

to set up my video equipment.

Some words were spoken about DDI (the group who bravely hosted the event)

and the rules of the evening. The three speakers were to get 15 min. to

talk and then questions would be asked. The moderator was Dr. Mike Rosen who

works for the local WB station in NYC. He told the crowd about how is

daughter has developmental problems and once was checked for PDD. She's not

autistic, but he is very interested in this subject and it's close to his

heart. There is another reporter at that station who has a child with

autism. I've seen them involved in the autism community before. They had a

cameraman taping also. I believe they are going to do a segment for a

future news program.

The first speaker was Dr. Tegay from Stony Brook. He was very soft spoken

and showed a powerpoint presentation about genetics and autism. He started

off saying how he believes Autism is a combination of genetics and

environmental factors. He then talked about different things- like how if

the rate of autism in twins is NOT 100 percent- then it's can't be just

genes. He didn't really talk much about vaccines or mercury and only took

up about 15 min. He actually said " I know you are all here to see

Kirby, so i'll make it short " . which I thought was kinda cool of him

The second speaker was supastar Kirby. He talked for almost an hour-

which totally took me by surprise (ran out of tape in the middle of his

speech). But, I was glad to hear him speak. The crowd was totally

interested and hanging on his every word. When talked about how a

researcher quit the CDC and went to work for a pharm. company, the audience

gasped loudly. He covered many areas and showed information from Blaxil,

Haley, and Simpsonwood. It was a great presentation and did his usual

bang-up job.

The last person on the panel was Beth P. a nurse from the Suffolk Co

dept of health and who has close relatives with autism. She talked with

much passion and made the point many times, that our county DEMANDS

thimerosal reduced/free vaccines. Honestly, I was very impressed with that.

I found though that half of what she said I totally agreed with, but the

other half was disturbing. She went off on Dr. Wakefield- which really made

me uncomfortable and she spent like 15 min reading off numbers of children

with autism from California. Her point was that there is no decline in

autism since the thimerosal was taking out of " all " of the shots. She

talked about Dr. Offit and some other woman from the CDC, i think

something- and how she knows them well and they are good people. One thing

I did agree with is she said that there needs to be more money for services

in the autism community and more research. I think she said that money

needs to go to genetic research (someone correct me if i'm wrong), I know

someone said it tonight- which kinda made my heart stop for a second. Even

the genetics guy said it's a combination. Oh well. She spoke for about

20-25 min.

One of my favorite parts of the night was during the question and answer

period. The moderator asked " raise your hand if you think vaccines play a

role in autism " and about 98% of the audience raised their hand. I almost

started crying. I really didn't expect that. Three people said it didn't

have any part. And many thought there is some type of gov't coverup.

The question and answer section was short, but interesting. and

Beth went back and forth a couple of times. was brillant. He kept

correcting her with fact after fact. I think the woman meant well, and I

even spoke to her briefly afterwards, but she was way off on many things.

We were not an easy crowd- especially for New York - lol. I could tell,

many of us were holding back and wanted to yell stuff. I know I did. I

admire her for getting on stage with and facing hundreds of parents.

I also think it's great that DDI (developmental disabilties institute) had

the courage to host this event and SUNY Farmingdale for letting us use their

auditorium.

It was really great to see everyone and watch this exercise in " free

speech " . I'm glad I was able to videotape it, so others may see it. DDI is

going to view the footage and then decide what to do with it (if they are

going to sell dvd's). They mentioned doing a transcript- which would be

great. I think everyone needs to read that. lol.

I also took pictures that I will post tomorrow sometime at

http://www.lighthousestudios.info (check after 5pm)

Thanks,

Heeren