Oh God - makes me want to weep - Catherine Bennett on MMR

[sphil]

This may be covered elsewhere on MN but haven't dared look. In Observer today - yet another article slamming 'mummies' who don't vaccinate. Describes them as 4x4 driving, unthinking, Boden wearing idiots who don't care about anyone other than ourselves.

Don't know how she'd describe me - who did vaccinate up to first MMR but wish I hadn't.

It's all right, I know you didn't mean just mine!

If I could find the old tape of Ds2 as a baby I could send it to you with an up to date jumping video? It wouldn't be as hard for either of us that way, iyswim!

Mind you, finding it might be a problem - it was pre-move

Aw if you spot it grab it sphil, but don't worry too much as I won't really be able to include it in the current study (an idea for the future though.....).

I dont ahve old tape of ds3, just memories- but it's intersting that Sphil and I have similar conclusions about our ds's worsening through MMR, as our famillies 9and another is that of Dino) are fantastically similar in so many ways, including passive asd which seems relatively rare (just IME)

I'm certain i would have 2 asd at somelevel, but p[ossibly not one guaranteed to need lifelong care. to me, independence is the essential sut of: with disability its everything, that holy grail that signifies severe (just my own personal definition) and not; I don't give a damn about academics or income or all that, but being able to remember to eat when not prompted is essential

Yes absolutely. I don't really worry any more whether DS1 is on the spectrum or not because I know he will be able to live independently. Unless a huge progression happens (and i'm not ruling it out completely) DS2 is very unlikely to be able to do so. And I do think the difference between the two 'degrees' is environmental in origin.

Afaik the MMR booster IS just to capture those few (10%?) who didn't get immunity the first time. It isn't as the name implies to make the first jab "stronger". We got DD's blood tested to check for immunity via the Holborn Medical Centre (which I think is Halvorsen's practice) who referred us to the Doctor's Laboratory in Harley Street . It cost £100 but well worth it imo. Very good service, fantastic nurses, quick results and now our GP's computer system is off our backs.
FP was otherwise vacuous and botoxed on Question Time btw.

thanks Davros

Can I just tiptoe cautiously onto this thread to ask if anyone knows of any cases of regression following vaccination aged 6 to 7?
Both my boys have had both MMR jabs (one has non-regressive Asperger's/HFA at a level needing full-time school support, the other is 'very odd' but no diagnosis), but their younger sister hasn't. We have measles cases nearby and a decision to make.

She seems relatively NT, and no history of bowel disease (unless undefined 'tummy ache' about school counts).

I'd be really grateful for any further thoughts to add to the current swirling maelstrom that is my brain.

Ah. Thanks mumslife, and I'm glad to hear your daughter has recovered.

I just checked, Catherine Bennett used to work for The Sunday Times, probably alongside Brian Deer. I can't help think these articles are being published in the run up to the conclusion of the Wakefield trial. Looks like someone is afraid what the result might be. I guess I am 'a certain type of mummy' as I didn't give my now 11 year old the MMR in 1999 when I lived in Islington; Boden wearing, but definitely not 4x4 driving. My son is autistic. He was hospitalized by the Hib/DTP/Tet jab on two occassions, the third time they told me to have single jabs! I paid the £120.00 for the single Measle jab for both my sons. I challenge Ms Bennett to come and meet some families of vacine damaged children and hear our side, because her newspaper refused to print mt last letter on the subject.

This has absolutely made my mind up that we're going for single jabs. There are still way too many question marks over the MMR for me to feel comfortable giving it to ds2.

FWIW I do drive a 4 x 4 and am wearing a Boden belt and shoes as I type (not driving though!)

I have a Boden swim suit - very old with a baggy bottom. Does that count?. And my children wear third and fourth hand Boden, passed down through their two cousins...