Vaccine-Autism War: Jim Carrey Speaks and the Neurodiversity Hounds Howl

Jim Carrey, knowing full well the malicious attacks he would receive from the Neurodiversity "science" bloggers, (his partner Jenny McCarthy pushes the ND crowd into a full scale lather whenever she speaks) has expressed the very reasonable view that there are questions remaining to be answered about vaccines and their possible role in causing or triggering autism. The comment titled The Judgment on Vaccines Is In??? was published yesterday on the Huffington Post. In no time the Neurodiversity hounds were unleashed to smear and slime Mr. Carrey with irrelevant personal attacks and distorted summaries of the existing state of knowledge about vaccine and autism issues.

In less than 24 hours Kevin Leitch of lb/rb " fame" posted an attack piece on Opposing Views and his fellow Neurodiversity ideologue Orac posted his own hatchet job on his inappropriately named Respectful Insolence blog (there is nothing respectful about the manner in which Orac expresses his opinions about those who do not share his ND ideology). In fairness both ND bloggers do try to address some of the points made by Mr. Carrey but those points do not refute Mr. Carrey's assertion that the "judgment is not in" about vaccines and autism. The arguments they do make are lost in their sarcasm and anger. Mr. Leitch, under the apparent delusion that he is qualified to do so, even takes time to smear Dr. Bernadine Healy former NIH and American Red Cross head who has, like Mr. Carrey, pointed out the limits of the epidemiological studies relied on by Mr. Leitch and others as being conclusive and who has called for more research on possible vaccine autism connections.

The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has, after some false starts, quite properly indicated in its strategic plan for autism research that environmental issues, including possible vaccine autism issues, should be researched. Even if the IACC included vaccine autism research to placate those who question vaccine safety in connection with autism it is a step in the right direction.

The anger of Mr. Leitch, "Orac" and others who have closed their minds should not dissuade the IACC or anyone else with a genuine interest from trying to understand the ever rising autism epidemic that affects our children. Their very unscientific mindsets should not prevent the necessary research from being done.

autism

Oh No, Conor Loves Mama Mia!

Christmas morning was a lot of fun with everybody opening their gifts.

As a grown up kid I couldn't wait to see one of the gifts we got for Conor - "Horton Hears A Who" in high definition (Blue Ray) featuring Jim Carrey as Horton and Steve Carell as the Mayor of Whoville. Much to my chagrin though Conor really liked one of Mom's gifts - the Mama Mia! video. Conor's Mom saw Mama Mia! a couple of times in the theatres and I have heard ABBA around the house incessantly since then.

With Conor enjoying the Mama Mia! video I am in serious trouble. No amount of sniveling and whining can help me now. Conor has Dad wrapped around his little finger. If he chooses to watch Mama Mia! then I will have no choice. Peace and quiet, my sanity, will be Slipping Through My Fingers .... S.O.S.

autism

Autism Christmas Gift From The Grinch

We have an evening routine in our house.

At 9 pm I say, or holler if necessary , "TV Off", and Conor will run from wherever he is in the house to turn off the TV, wash, brush teeth and get in bed. (If the TV is not on, I turn it on so Conor can come in and turn it off). Routine is important for any child, especially one with autism, or at least with Conor. Sticking to routine has helped keep Conor's sleep disrupted nights (and mine) to a minimum.

Last night we abandoned the routine because at 9 pm (Atlantic) Ron Howard's movie version of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas was on television. It had already been a good night for Conor. We had done a lot of computer print offs from the PBS Kids web site and it was quiet in the house with his brother and mother off to see the Theatre New Brunswick production of A Christmas Carol. Conor sat down on the couch and watched the entire Grinch movie with Dad.

Conor watched the entire movie, relaxed, and with focused attention. He laughed numerous times throughout. (Often when the Grinch (Jim Carrey) made one of his incredible facial contortions). For me, it was a joy to be able to watch an entire movie with Conor, with him clearly following the whole movie, and enjoying it so much.

Thank you Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel), Ron Howard, Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen (Cindy Lou Who), Jeffrey Tambor (Mayor Augustus Maywho), Christine Baranski (Martha May Whovier) and the rest of the cast and excellent crew.

Thank you for a wonderful Christmas gift.

autism

In Praise of Jenny McCarthy

I do not share Jenny McCarthy's views on the MMR vaccine and autism.

Nor do I believe that she any better able to assess the evidence or the scientific literature on the subject than any other parent of an autistic child. But she does have the gift of celebrity status, the power to command media attention and disseminate her views. And it is harder to get better media attention than to appear on Oprah Winfrey's show. Much more effectively than this humble small town blogger can do. Although I disagree with her views though, I admire her willingness to fight for her child. Ms McCarthy has not embraced the culture of defeat, the attraction of the sweet surrender, of giving in and convincing yourself that there is joy in autism, a profoundly disabling neurological disorder. For that refusal to imbibe the kool aid of the cult of defeat Ms McCarthy deserves credit.

In speaking out and expressing her views on MMR vaccines and autism Ms McCarthy surely knew that she would be the object of ridicule. Some of the commentary is snide, some of it is out and out mean spirited and belittles only those who offer it. A cheap shot artist is a cheap shot artist, whether they sport a Ph. D. or not. Ms McCarthy spoke out to express her beliefs in support of helping her child. A noble cause. And she, and Ms Winfrey who hosted her on her show, are nobler for fighting for that cause. As for Ms McCarthy's friend Jim Carrey I know what it means to be an autism dad by fate. Mr Carrey has freely chosen to take on that role and also earned my admiration.

I don't agree with Ms McCarthy's MMR autism views, although future evidence could still prove her right and me wrong. But I admire her fight for her child, and Ms Winfrey for helping and Mr Carrey for caring and taking on the challenge.

Well done; all three of you.