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Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Despite criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Jenny McCarthy says she helped her son, Evan, recover from autism.??
The actress - who believes the MMR vaccine was to blame for her son's diagnosis - says a strict no wheat-and-dairy-free diet has changed her son from a quiet little boy who used to flail his arms around to a loving six-year-old.??
"Before the vaccination, he was huggy, lovey, snuggly," she says in the newest issue of Us Weekly. "Then it was like someone came down and stole him."
McCarthy, 36, remembers when Evan began to come out of his shell while watching a SpongeBob episode. "I heard Evan laugh...I jumped on the bed and started screaming."
She adds, "When he finally hugged me, I prayed, 'Please God don't let this be the only time.'"??
McCarthy has become an outspoken advocate for autism awareness, often courting controversy along the way (doctors have accused her of creating fear of necessary vaccines). She's the bestselling author of five books, including her newest, Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds. She's also constantly researching on sites like like AgeofAutism.com and GenerationRescue.org
"I made a deal with God," she explains. "I said, 'You fix my boy, you show me the way and I'll teach the world how I did it.'"??
She's even reached out to John McCain - who spoke about the importance of autism awareness during Wednesday's debate - without much success.??
"We tried," says McCarthy - who currently labels herself a Democrat. "McCain had come out and said he thinks there's enough evidence between vaccines and autism, so I got on a helicopter [to meet him for] an on-camera interview. By the time I got there, the campaign manager said, 'He's ahead in the polls, and this is too controversial, and he doesn't want to go one way or the next.'"??
The mom has avoided one controversial critic: Denis Leary, who blamed "inattentive mothers" for autism in his new book, Why We Suck: A Feel-Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid. (He later said his words were taken out of context)??
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Posted 10/17/08 7:15 AM  |
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GioiaMia
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Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
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| Posted 10/17/08 7:26 AM |
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kimbalina
Bring on the glitter and bows!
Member since 6/08 15158 total posts
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Kim
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
I think it is great that she is taking an active role in the disease and in her son's life.
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| Posted 10/17/08 7:35 AM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
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Baby Momma
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
recovered...not cured...
people with additions and mental illness are in recovery for the rest of their lives. The may never have symptoms again and function normally, but the understanding is that although recovery has occured, the illness can resurface at anytime. The Recovery movement in mentla health is a very strong one, let's not discount a woman who feels that her child has recovered.
Recovery means many different things and exists on a wide spectrum. It is a positive movement and helps to diminish the stigma that people with certain brain disorders and illnesses cannot funtion like normal people.
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| Posted 10/17/08 7:49 AM |
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GioiaMia
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by MrsFlatbread
recovered...not cured...
people with additions and mental illness are in recovery for the rest of their lives. The may never have symptoms again and function normally, but the understanding is that although recovery has occured, the illness can resurface at anytime. The Recovery movement in mentla health is a very strong one, let's not discount a woman who feels that her child has recovered.
Recovery means many different things and exists on a wide spectrum. It is a positive movement and helps to diminish the stigma that people with certain brain disorders and illnesses cannot funtion like normal people.
I hate to always have to comment on this topic.
But she has said MANY times that he is CURED and NO LONGER HAS AUTISM. That is where my problem lies. Along with a few other things. . . but that is the main thing.
ETA: I forget the exact wording but on Oprah she said he was cured. Oprah tried to coach her and said something like "he is recovered, he is improved" and she got all pompous and said "No, Oprah, I said cured."
Message edited 10/17/2008 8:06:51 AM.
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| Posted 10/17/08 8:01 AM |
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KGools
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Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
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Kim
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by Tilde
Posted by MrsFlatbread
recovered...not cured...
people with additions and mental illness are in recovery for the rest of their lives. The may never have symptoms again and function normally, but the understanding is that although recovery has occured, the illness can resurface at anytime. The Recovery movement in mentla health is a very strong one, let's not discount a woman who feels that her child has recovered.
Recovery means many different things and exists on a wide spectrum. It is a positive movement and helps to diminish the stigma that people with certain brain disorders and illnesses cannot funtion like normal people.
I hate to always have to comment on this topic.
But she has said MANY times that he is CURED and NO LONGER HAS AUTISM. That is where my problem lies. Along with a few other things. . . but that is the main thing.
ETA: I forget the exact wording but on Oprah she said he was cured. Oprah tried to coach her and said something like "he is recovered, he is improved" and she got all pompous and said "No, Oprah, I said cured."
I watched that Oprah show too and she definitely used the word "cured" referring to her son several times. I scratched my head thru the whole show.
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| Posted 10/17/08 8:57 AM |
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MarisaK
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Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
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Marisa
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by CoopersMom01
I watched that Oprah show too and she definitely used the word "cured" referring to her son several times. I scratched my head thru the whole show.
Then she's contradicting herself b/c in the US weekly article they specifically ask her if he's cured and she says
No, he is recovered. - Can you ever be "cured" from getting hit by a bus? No, you recover from the accident .....
I'm paraphrasing .......but it was something like that
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| Posted 10/17/08 9:00 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by MarisaK
Posted by CoopersMom01
I watched that Oprah show too and she definitely used the word "cured" referring to her son several times. I scratched my head thru the whole show.
Then she's contradicting herself b/c in the US weekly article they specifically ask her if he's cured and she says
No, he is recovered. - Can you ever be "cured" from getting hit by a bus? No, you recover from the accident .....
I'm paraphrasing .......but it was something like that
I guess I am okay with recovered. I am okay with living the best possible and most fulfilling life. I hope that is true for her son. But I can't get on board with cured. . .
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| Posted 10/17/08 9:02 AM |
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Jackie24
~We Did it~
Member since 7/06 6718 total posts
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Jackie
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
PUHLEASE 
Jenny McCarthy is giving regular families with children with Autism false hopes that they will be "cured"
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| Posted 10/19/08 2:12 AM |
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june262004
But I love the Snow!
Member since 5/05 15379 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
I like her. I like that she has dones so much for families that have loved ones with autism. But Im sad to say I have a hard time believing he no longer has autism
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| Posted 10/19/08 3:22 AM |
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neenie
Member since 5/05 22351 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Oh lord. So now are parents going to stop giving their kids wheat and dairy b/c it has "links" to autism.
I'm glad that she used her status to bring attention TO autism, but she should have stuck to promoting awareness of the disease than trying to act like an expert on the topic.
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| Posted 10/19/08 4:54 AM |
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mommyago
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Member since 8/08 2979 total posts
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Jenise
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
I have children with autism in my class and i have on parent that wants to know when her son will be "cured" ...so this article annoys me
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| Posted 10/19/08 8:15 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
I love her.
She has stated time and time again to try different things with your children, what works for her son won't work for another, but don't give up hope
So, if she is out there telling moms that are looking for something to remain hopeful...I can't see how that hurts.
When someone comes out with an opinion that's not mainstream, it doesn't scare me...it makes me think. What's wrong with that?
Its not just Jenny, but many feel that the MMR isn't one size fits all.
Some kids have zero reaction, others are sick for a few days...why is that?
There are 2 sides to this story, medical and mother. Take info from both and make educated decisions.
Going dairy free and gluten free is hard work. I've done both because of my kid's allergies. People REALLY have to believe in this to stick with it. So, I don't think every kid out there is going on this diet.
But, I was talking to a lady who runs a school for autism. She noticed my shopping cart and asked if mine was autistic. She said we have all the same snacks in our carts, she only gives gluten free at school.
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| Posted 10/19/08 9:43 AM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
I am not inside their world or life so what I'm saying is my OWN opinion on this...
But I would bet anything that although her son has come far and probably in a much better state than he previously was in, that some of his autism manifests in diff. ways.
I've met MANY MANY parents of children with autism. Some are newly diagnosed 3 year old, some are parents of 8 year olds. With maturity, intervention and diet SOME of these kids are doing well but they still exhibit SOME behaviors of autism. It isn't something that a child is just rid of completely and one day wakes up and wants to interact with everything, drop all their stimming and are 100% perfect. That may learn ways to cope with stims...they may force themselves to behave in more socially appropriate ways, but I would 100% of the time some behaviors are always going to be with the child.
It is a devestating neurological disease. I kind of hate how Jenny is using the word "cure". I applaud her for her work with her son and using her celebrity to bring much needed awareness however I don't buy that he is fully cured and completely free of autism. And if he is, then that would be an absolute miracle and hopefully other families can get the same results...I am usually a huge optimist but after talking to so many families going through this and having heard that they've tried the diet and saw better things, but never would they consider their child cured...I have to wonder...
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| Posted 10/19/08 9:54 AM |
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Tonia
LIF Adolescent
Member since 12/06 626 total posts
Name:
Tonia
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by CoopersMom01
Posted by Tilde
Posted by MrsFlatbread
recovered...not cured...
people with additions and mental illness are in recovery for the rest of their lives. The may never have symptoms again and function normally, but the understanding is that although recovery has occured, the illness can resurface at anytime. The Recovery movement in mentla health is a very strong one, let's not discount a woman who feels that her child has recovered.
Recovery means many different things and exists on a wide spectrum. It is a positive movement and helps to diminish the stigma that people with certain brain disorders and illnesses cannot funtion like normal people.
I hate to always have to comment on this topic.
But she has said MANY times that he is CURED and NO LONGER HAS AUTISM. That is where my problem lies. Along with a few other things. . . but that is the main thing.
ETA: I forget the exact wording but on Oprah she said he was cured. Oprah tried to coach her and said something like "he is recovered, he is improved" and she got all pompous and said "No, Oprah, I said cured."
I watched that Oprah show too and she definitely used the word "cured" referring to her son several times. I scratched my head thru the whole show.
I think its sad that she's giving a lot of parents out there a false sense of hope. Its very difficult for a child to recover from autism...AND, its NOT curable, even if Jenny McCarthy seems to think so. This is also the same woman who said (I think its in her book) that she spends over $2500 a week in services for her child (play therapy, speech therapy, music, art, dance, etc.). Most people cannot afford all those services.
PLUS, she is adamant that her child "became" autistic from MMR shot, again, I think that although its wonderful that she is such a strong advocate for children with autism sometimes she lets her fame and strong beliefs skew the real issue, and that's regardless of ANYTHING children on the spectrum need services to overcome their day to day challenges.
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| Posted 10/19/08 11:14 AM |
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saraH
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Before my DD had the MMR shot, I asked my ped. for the scoop on the link to autism.
He came right out and said there is no scientific link to autism. He went off on a tangent about jenny mccarthy and how she thinks she "cured" it.
He completelty blames the media and hollywood for all the hype about the shot.
I have had it with her and won't buy any magazine that features her or buy her book.
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| Posted 10/19/08 12:56 PM |
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BaroqueMama
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Member since 5/05 27530 total posts
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me
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
So, if Jenny McCarthy has the answer to autism, then everyone should be able to "cure" or "rehabiliate" their children, no problem. Just get Jenny to write out instructions and voila, you're child will no longer be affected by autism
Not for nothing, but children with autism CAN learn appropriate responses to social situations, and I'm more inclined to think that this is what's going on.
Jenny McCarthy, half-dressed dimwit to magical healer. I can just see the trailer to the movie now. Ugg.
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| Posted 10/19/08 1:04 PM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
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Maureen
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
The fact also remains that many many children are diagnosed each year who have never had the MMR....and children who exhibited autistic tendencies way before their MMR. How can she explain vaccines being the culprit in these situations??
I am also for vaccine awareness. I myself split up my sons MMR. He has sensory issues as well as the fact that he ALWAYS reacts to his vaccines with a 104 fever. But I still don't believe that MMR causes autism. Could it aggravate an already present condition? Maybe. I don't know. But I know its the fever resulting from the vaccine that caused that one girl to have her condition brought out.....and ANY virus could cause a high fever.
I wish they'd find the answer, but Jenny McCarthy is not helping the cause for everyone..
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| Posted 10/19/08 1:50 PM |
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LittleBlueBug
Happy Mommy
Member since 9/06 4074 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Oy
I'm very happy that she has been a very active advocate for her child, as I would hope any mom would. I am weary on her going in public and declaring that diet or vaccines has a definitive relationship to autism when neither has been actually proven in research. Right now there are theories out there, but the risks involved in not vaccinating may outweigh a theory that has yet to be proven. I have seen many kids on different diets, etc that are not "cured" or even improved.
Autism is a neurological disorder and I would be careful to assume that a diet was responsible for much progress. He may havve improved, maybe due to other things at play, but he's not cured.
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| Posted 10/19/08 4:03 PM |
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Samlove
Member since 5/05 4729 total posts
Name:
Shari
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
I teach special education and have worked with children with AUtism THeya re never cured. PErhaps they learn to componsate ( spelling?) but they will always have it. Some are just higher functioning then others. I think by her saying her son is cured will put false hope for other parents that have children with Autism.
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| Posted 10/19/08 4:53 PM |
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aliska21
LIF Infant
Member since 3/09 66 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
i know this topic is soo old.,.but since i brought that up.......Jenny McCarthy does not give parents FALSe hopes...why would you say that ..she is trying to do something other than what REGULAR DOCs say...there are alternatives ...to medicine..like diet...high-pressured oxygen..that does help children...that DOES...make them better....Wouldnt you rather your child to be a Little better...than nothing....????????????? and if she is trying to stand up to the media and say Hey..look..my son got better..he didnt cure..(it might come bak)..but he did get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Than thats very honorable and she is not only doing it anymore for herself..but for many other struggling parents....! she doesn say that ...the therapies..dont help everyone..but they do help MANY!! and thats great alreadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
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| Posted 4/5/09 2:45 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by aliska21
i know this topic is soo old.,.but since i brought that up.......Jenny McCarthy does not give parents FALSe hopes...why would you say that ..she is trying to do something other than what REGULAR DOCs say...there are alternatives ...to medicine..like diet...high-pressured oxygen..that does help children...that DOES...make them better....Wouldnt you rather your child to be a Little better...than nothing....????????????? and if she is trying to stand up to the media and say Hey..look..my son got better..he didnt cure..(it might come bak)..but he did get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Than thats very honorable and she is not only doing it anymore for herself..but for many other struggling parents....! she doesn say that ...the therapies..dont help everyone..but they do help MANY!! and thats great alreadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Wow, this is an old thread. But now that you've bumped it: Bottom line is there is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that the MMR vaccine causes autism. It is ridiculous to me that Jenny McCarthy and John McCain espouse the idea that there is a link, as if they are autism/medical researchers. They must not have even read the research, because it's pretty clear. Autism is a neurological condition. There is evidence that genetics play a role.
Yes, with early intervention and other services, children can show great improvement in the symptoms of autism. That is wonderful. However, they are in my opinion, never really "cured," and that is the false hope Jenny is spreading.
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| Posted 4/5/09 3:36 PM |
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aliska21
LIF Infant
Member since 3/09 66 total posts
Name:
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by Chai77
Posted by aliska21
i know this topic is soo old.,.but since i brought that up.......Jenny McCarthy does not give parents FALSe hopes...why would you say that ..she is trying to do something other than what REGULAR DOCs say...there are alternatives ...to medicine..like diet...high-pressured oxygen..that does help children...that DOES...make them better....Wouldnt you rather your child to be a Little better...than nothing....????????????? and if she is trying to stand up to the media and say Hey..look..my son got better..he didnt cure..(it might come bak)..but he did get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Than thats very honorable and she is not only doing it anymore for herself..but for many other struggling parents....! she doesn say that ...the therapies..dont help everyone..but they do help MANY!! and thats great alreadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Wow, this is an old thread. But now that you've bumped it: Bottom line is there is NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE that the MMR vaccine causes autism. It is ridiculous to me that Jenny McCarthy and John McCain espouse the idea that there is a link, as if they are autism/medical researchers. They must not have even read the research, because it's pretty clear. Autism is a neurological condition. There is evidence that genetics play a role.
Yes, with early intervention and other services, children can show great improvement in the symptoms of autism. That is wonderful. However, they are in my opinion, never really "cured," and that is the false hope Jenny is spreading.
ok...! She is saying that ...vaccines..have a link to autism..not 100% sure..but they do...she is saying...that its the toxins in the vaccines.....that trigger smth that causes autism....! She is saying that with better precaution ..and good research about vaccines...you can get ur child BETTER!! not cured...but recovered...
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| Posted 4/5/09 3:48 PM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
... and children are DYING because they refuse to give the MMR shots.... mumps is on the rise, measles is on the rise. Jenny is scaring people into not taking vaccines, and then putting their DC at risk of DEATH! How is that a good trade?
Jenny has also kept changing her message... at first, she was 100% anti-vaccines. She believed that it WAS the vaccine that caused her DS's autism. Now that she realizes that she has wasted a lot of national resources proving that it isn't the vaccines, now she's changing it to "some of the ingredients in some of the vaccines on the current schedule".... I'm sure she'll change her message again in a year or so when science spends millions of dollars and hundreds of people not research a diagnosis or a cure, but spending all that time just to disprove her.... again.... 
She's also making her "diagnosis" on anecdotal stories (her words), so who's to say that a gluten-free diet won't HARM some DC? There's no scientific proof to say it isn't true... Some DC may benefit from it, but some may get sick from not having gluten. Nobody knows 100%.....
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| Posted 4/5/09 4:18 PM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
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Re: Jenny McCarthy: My Son No Longer Has Autism
Posted by aliska21
ok...! She is saying that ...vaccines..have a link to autism..not 100% sure..but they do...she is saying...that its the toxins in the vaccines.....that trigger smth that causes autism....!
...And where is the proof? Jenny McCarthy mysteriously "knows" vaccines have a link to Autism, and yet there is no science to back it up. Can you explain that one to me please? 
What if Jenny was convinced her son got Autism because a dog sat in his lap the day before she thought he started to show symptoms? Should everyone in the world get rid of their dogs because she "knows" this caused his Autism? What nonsense! I wish people had as much faith in science as they did in their gut.
ITA with the pp also, if everyone stops immunizing their children, we'll be dealing with a HUGE public health crisis.
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| Posted 4/5/09 6:44 PM |
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