Looking back on 2008 I have to feel a sense of accomplishment. Although I did not meet all of my goals, I DID meet many of them and I am looking forward to 2009. I still can't believe how fast this year went by.
In 2008 we were able to diagnose my daughter with Wilson's Disease and get her checked out by some brilliant doctors at Children's Hospital. That was one of my biggest goals. I still can't believe how many years it took us to get a diagnosis. I am just thankful that I listened to my gut and persisted. If I had listened to previous doctors and ignored my instincts... who knows? I just don't want to even think about that. This year, we got my children into great schools and consequently they have some wonderful teachers who care about them. That was an answer to my prayers. Last year was the worst year, and I vowed to have a better year. This summer we adopted our Cookie, a mangy mutt that has captured our hearts, and is a joy to us all. We have made numerous new friends that will forever be part of our lives. We've also had old ones move back closer to us and that means the world to me as well. My parents and my extended family are all in good health. My husband and I are doing fantastic. What more could I ask for?
I thought I would post my New Year's Resolutions for 2009. This way, I would be accountable. My biggest priority is to be more organized. I need to not only organize my house, my life, my time, but also my thoughts and priorities. I think once I do that, the rest will fall into place. Next on my list, is to live a healthier lifestyle. Not only will this be good for me, but the entire family. I know that not only will I look better, but I will live longer if I do it. I want to finish projects that I began years ago. I think this goes along with being organized. I am convinced that is my major obstacle. I have many long-term goals and dreams, but I think I have enough for now to work on. This blog has been a great outlet for me. It has helped me organize my thoughts and learn more about who I am and what I need to work on.
Last, but definitely not least, I want to continue this blog. My goal is that it will reach all of those families who are desperate for information. My dream is that there will be a parent who has a child with a diagnosis and that they won't feel alone. They will read my story and know that there is hope. I don't pretend to have all the answers. I just promise to all those who read this blog that I will not stop researching and finding information on these topics. I promise that as long as I am able, I will fight for vaccine safety. Even if there is not a consensus on the autism link, there IS a consensus that parents want the safest vaccines and medicines for our children. We insist on research that is comprehensive and unbiased. We are molding our future and all these kids with problems will become adults with problems. We all know the status of our economy and we are about to have "change" come January 2009. I hope and pray that we can dig ourselves out of the hole we are in as a nation so that we will be able to care for all those adults with autism. Their parents will not be there forever and our tax dollars will not be enough.
Since this is my last post until 2009, I wanted to end on this note:
I wish you all a new year full of happiness, promise, and hope. May your trials and burdens be lifted and blessings pour upon you and your family. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and I know that prayers are answered. We also have a kind and loving Heavenly Father who knows our trials and suffers along with us. All we have to do is remember that He is there and all we have to do is knock and he will open the door. You don't ever have to go through it alone.....NEVER!!
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Humor is Truly the Best Medicine
I was thinking about all the things that I struggle with and the challenges that mothers face all around the world. It's a common link that binds us women to one another. No matter what country, what race we are, what religion we may belong to, or even our economic status... there are some things that come with the calling of motherhood. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to share a little perspective on things that happen around our household and the way we try and deal with those things. Through a little patience and humor we have learned that nothing is really as bad as it seems at the time. The world won't end at that moment... even if it seems that way.
My youngest is the pickiest eater and it takes everything in the world to get him to eat nutritious things. It almost seems like he doesn't like to chew. If it takes him any effort at all, he won't usually touch it. However, I have recently learned that he loves dips. He loves artichoke dip in particular. He also likes spinach dip. That is one way I can get him to eat his "greens" without too much fuss. Tonight as I was tucking him into bed, I watched him as he laid there and proceeded to pick him nose and eat the contents thereof. How ironic... he won't touch the delicious meal I prepared for the family, but he doesn't give it a second thought to eat his snot. At least I can rest assured that he got his protein for the day. Right?
You know what they say, "if you can't beat them, join them." Well... the other day I was trying to watch a t.v. show that I was looking forward to seeing and the kids were loud and would not let me hear any of it. First, my oldest comes down and tattles on his younger brother. Then came my daughter crying and whining about something. Finally, the baby climbed on top of me and elbowed me on my chest. At that point I had enough. I was about to explode. All of a sudden I realized that I had DVR and could record my show. I did just that! I then turned off the t.v. and joined the kids outside and played. We had the funnest time laughing and running around. The best thing was that I later was able to watch my show UNINTERRUPTED!! Imagine that!!!
How long can a kid keep whining? My husband and I decided to test it out and see. On our way home from Disney last month my husband and I attempted to talk about some things, but one of our kids kept asking for something or proceeded to whine. Our daughter was the culprit this time. She was REALLY tired and could not get settled. My husband leaned over and said, "I bet she can't make it one minute without whining." I took the bet. For the last hour we actually kept track and she did not make it more than a minute. We were almost in tears from laughing so hard. Each time she would whine or cry then we looked at each other and looked at the clock and just burst out laughing. The funniest part was that my daughter would then start to cry thinking we were laughing at her. Eventually our oldest figured out something was going on and then HE started asking us what was funny. We had not laughed so hard in a very long time and it felt good.
Oh....I have to tell you all about our "slow toilet" incident. I noticed that our guest bathroom toilet was not flushing properly and eventually became clogged. I decided to hire some professionals who could remedy the problem. Before they started they told me that it would cost about $40 for them just to look and they would apply it towards the balance at the end. That's fair, I thought. They worked and worked on the blockage. It was clear that it was going to be major. They estimated it was going to be over $100 to clear it. They worked on getting their apparatus inside the toilet to attempt to clear the blockage. Whatever was in there was stuck and would not come out. One of the men came up to me with a worried look on his face and explained that their apparatus was stuck inside and they did not know what to do. They said that they would have to remove the toilet. That would cost another $100 and then they warned me that if they couldn't remove it they might have to bust the toilet to get it out. A brand new toilet would cost us a few hundred dollars. (I was thinking that at this rate it might be cheaper to just get a new toilet.) Anyways, to make a long story short... they ended up finding one of those "free toys" from a child's meal. (It was a toddler toy.) It was definitely pointing towards my #4 more and more. He had attempted to flush it down the toilet and it got stuck in the neck of the toilet where it curves. The men were able to wiggle it lose finally. In the end, our "free" toy end up costing us a couple hundred dollars. What could I do, but laugh? The men had a good sense of humor and shared a story with me to help me feel better. They told me that once a woman was using the bathroom and dropped her cellphone inside the toilet. Well..she didn't want to get her hands dirty and so she flushed the toilet thinking that she could just grab it with clean water. It didn't quite work out the way she expected. She ended up flushing her cellphone. Talk about flushing money down the toilet.... he he he.
I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. In the heat of the moment sometimes we forget to stop, take a deep breath, and exhale. If we step back and look at the bigger picture then we can appreciate the humor in the situation. In our household we definitely have to rely on our sense of humor or else we would go crazy. Who knows? Maybe we are already there. :)
******************************************
They say that those who laugh live longer.
I sure hope that's the case.
******************************************
My youngest is the pickiest eater and it takes everything in the world to get him to eat nutritious things. It almost seems like he doesn't like to chew. If it takes him any effort at all, he won't usually touch it. However, I have recently learned that he loves dips. He loves artichoke dip in particular. He also likes spinach dip. That is one way I can get him to eat his "greens" without too much fuss. Tonight as I was tucking him into bed, I watched him as he laid there and proceeded to pick him nose and eat the contents thereof. How ironic... he won't touch the delicious meal I prepared for the family, but he doesn't give it a second thought to eat his snot. At least I can rest assured that he got his protein for the day. Right?
You know what they say, "if you can't beat them, join them." Well... the other day I was trying to watch a t.v. show that I was looking forward to seeing and the kids were loud and would not let me hear any of it. First, my oldest comes down and tattles on his younger brother. Then came my daughter crying and whining about something. Finally, the baby climbed on top of me and elbowed me on my chest. At that point I had enough. I was about to explode. All of a sudden I realized that I had DVR and could record my show. I did just that! I then turned off the t.v. and joined the kids outside and played. We had the funnest time laughing and running around. The best thing was that I later was able to watch my show UNINTERRUPTED!! Imagine that!!!
How long can a kid keep whining? My husband and I decided to test it out and see. On our way home from Disney last month my husband and I attempted to talk about some things, but one of our kids kept asking for something or proceeded to whine. Our daughter was the culprit this time. She was REALLY tired and could not get settled. My husband leaned over and said, "I bet she can't make it one minute without whining." I took the bet. For the last hour we actually kept track and she did not make it more than a minute. We were almost in tears from laughing so hard. Each time she would whine or cry then we looked at each other and looked at the clock and just burst out laughing. The funniest part was that my daughter would then start to cry thinking we were laughing at her. Eventually our oldest figured out something was going on and then HE started asking us what was funny. We had not laughed so hard in a very long time and it felt good.
Oh....I have to tell you all about our "slow toilet" incident. I noticed that our guest bathroom toilet was not flushing properly and eventually became clogged. I decided to hire some professionals who could remedy the problem. Before they started they told me that it would cost about $40 for them just to look and they would apply it towards the balance at the end. That's fair, I thought. They worked and worked on the blockage. It was clear that it was going to be major. They estimated it was going to be over $100 to clear it. They worked on getting their apparatus inside the toilet to attempt to clear the blockage. Whatever was in there was stuck and would not come out. One of the men came up to me with a worried look on his face and explained that their apparatus was stuck inside and they did not know what to do. They said that they would have to remove the toilet. That would cost another $100 and then they warned me that if they couldn't remove it they might have to bust the toilet to get it out. A brand new toilet would cost us a few hundred dollars. (I was thinking that at this rate it might be cheaper to just get a new toilet.) Anyways, to make a long story short... they ended up finding one of those "free toys" from a child's meal. (It was a toddler toy.) It was definitely pointing towards my #4 more and more. He had attempted to flush it down the toilet and it got stuck in the neck of the toilet where it curves. The men were able to wiggle it lose finally. In the end, our "free" toy end up costing us a couple hundred dollars. What could I do, but laugh? The men had a good sense of humor and shared a story with me to help me feel better. They told me that once a woman was using the bathroom and dropped her cellphone inside the toilet. Well..she didn't want to get her hands dirty and so she flushed the toilet thinking that she could just grab it with clean water. It didn't quite work out the way she expected. She ended up flushing her cellphone. Talk about flushing money down the toilet.... he he he.
I could go on and on but I think you get the idea. In the heat of the moment sometimes we forget to stop, take a deep breath, and exhale. If we step back and look at the bigger picture then we can appreciate the humor in the situation. In our household we definitely have to rely on our sense of humor or else we would go crazy. Who knows? Maybe we are already there. :)
******************************************
They say that those who laugh live longer.
I sure hope that's the case.
******************************************
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Wilson's Disease Monitoring and Insurance Company Battles
I haven't written about my daughter in a long time and I thought I would update you all on her condition and how we are trying to stay on top of things.
Wilson's Disease, as many of you already know, is usually not diagnosed until the person is sick or has some acute liver problem. My daughter is an enigma of sorts and so doctors really don't know how to treat her. The biggest thing right now is that we are monitoring her and making sure to keep a close eye on her copper excretion. The way we do this is by doing 24-hour urine copper testing. Basically, they give you this huge jug and you have to collect ALL the urine that comes out of her body in a 24 hour period and place it inside the jug and keep it either on ice or in the fridge. The biggest challenge for us is catching her before she pees in the toilet. It's so easy to do. She's only five and when she has to go... she has to go. One thing I figured out to do was to place a potty-training seat on top of the toilet. That way if she forgets then it will remind her. We got the kind that just snaps on top of the regular toilet seat and has like a cup. I just pull the cup out and pour the urine into the jug. It's the perfect solution. (I recommend this to anyone who has to collect urine for a girl.... much easier than the little cup they give you.)
Her next appointment at the Children's Hospital is in January. They will take her blood and do the liver enzyme testing. That is so scary for me. I have to admit that at times I forget that she has Wilson's. It's not until I have to see those liver enzyme tests that it reminds me. Her liver enzymes were elevated last time they did them. They didn't make an issue of it when we last saw them, so I didn't think to look at them thoroughly. However, upon closer inspection I realized that some of the enzymes were double what they are supposed to be. Being a Medical Technologist is a double edged sword. It gives me the laboratory knowledge to understand the results of the testing.... However, it also means that I am aware of what those results mean. You know what they say... ignorance is bliss. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much.
My battle with the insurance company has finally been resolved with my daughter. I am still working on the rest of the family though. The genetic testing cost approximately $2700.00 per person. Needless to say, the insurance company did not make it easy for us. First, they claimed it wasn't medically necessary. I was soooo upset about that! They asked for medical records and a statement from the doctor stating why the test was ordered. I was worried about future tests, so I asked her doctor to make sure she explained in no uncertain terms how necessary this testing was. She wrote the best letter for us and I hope that it covers any future testing we might have to do.
The next issue we had to deal with was the billing. They processed it all wrong and I had to straighten it out. They were submitting it and resubmitting it, and it began to look like they were trying to bill us twice for the same testing. Of course, the insurance company questioned it and had to go through the entire process again. In other words, we were fine and covered and then all of a sudden it was rejected again. UGH!! What a nightmare!
Right now I am waiting to hear from the hospital about the rest of our family. According to the insurance people they paid already and had other payments sent in early December, and we only owed a couple hundred dollars total. However, the hospital explained to me that they had not received any payments since October. Who is telling the truth? Who knows? I would bet on the hospital because they definitely want to get their money and the insurance company will do whatever they can to NOT pay for services. I am convinced that insurance companies are pure evil! We have private insurance and have been paying a hefty bill each month for years. Now that it's time to collect they are playing this game with us. It's not fair and not right.
My advice to those of you who have medical bills like us is to make sure you keep all insurance and testing documentation. I am sure glad I did! Also, make sure to log your phone calls. That is another thing that kills me.... the amount of time I have spent on the phone on hold or talking to others trying to resolve this has been unreal. Now they have a system at the hospital where you have to push "1" to continue to hold. That means you can't put the phone down for a second. You have to put your life on hold. The voice-activated ones are worse! Try speaking to a computer when you've got screaming kids in the background... it's nearly impossible! Of course, my kids have a phone radar. They know when I am on the phone and immediately their volume goes up by 300%.
I will update you all on how my daughter is doing after her January appointment. All we can do right now is pray that we are doing the right thing. It's basically in the Lord's hands right now, so I can't stress about something I have no control over. She is such a sweet spirit and warms the heart of everyone she comes in contact with. I know she's got a greater purpose on this earth. She's definitely a leader and a friend to everyone she knows. I can only imagine the woman she will one day become.
*************************************
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!! May 2009 bring
you peace, joy, and prosperity.
*************************************
Wilson's Disease, as many of you already know, is usually not diagnosed until the person is sick or has some acute liver problem. My daughter is an enigma of sorts and so doctors really don't know how to treat her. The biggest thing right now is that we are monitoring her and making sure to keep a close eye on her copper excretion. The way we do this is by doing 24-hour urine copper testing. Basically, they give you this huge jug and you have to collect ALL the urine that comes out of her body in a 24 hour period and place it inside the jug and keep it either on ice or in the fridge. The biggest challenge for us is catching her before she pees in the toilet. It's so easy to do. She's only five and when she has to go... she has to go. One thing I figured out to do was to place a potty-training seat on top of the toilet. That way if she forgets then it will remind her. We got the kind that just snaps on top of the regular toilet seat and has like a cup. I just pull the cup out and pour the urine into the jug. It's the perfect solution. (I recommend this to anyone who has to collect urine for a girl.... much easier than the little cup they give you.)
Her next appointment at the Children's Hospital is in January. They will take her blood and do the liver enzyme testing. That is so scary for me. I have to admit that at times I forget that she has Wilson's. It's not until I have to see those liver enzyme tests that it reminds me. Her liver enzymes were elevated last time they did them. They didn't make an issue of it when we last saw them, so I didn't think to look at them thoroughly. However, upon closer inspection I realized that some of the enzymes were double what they are supposed to be. Being a Medical Technologist is a double edged sword. It gives me the laboratory knowledge to understand the results of the testing.... However, it also means that I am aware of what those results mean. You know what they say... ignorance is bliss. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much.
My battle with the insurance company has finally been resolved with my daughter. I am still working on the rest of the family though. The genetic testing cost approximately $2700.00 per person. Needless to say, the insurance company did not make it easy for us. First, they claimed it wasn't medically necessary. I was soooo upset about that! They asked for medical records and a statement from the doctor stating why the test was ordered. I was worried about future tests, so I asked her doctor to make sure she explained in no uncertain terms how necessary this testing was. She wrote the best letter for us and I hope that it covers any future testing we might have to do.
The next issue we had to deal with was the billing. They processed it all wrong and I had to straighten it out. They were submitting it and resubmitting it, and it began to look like they were trying to bill us twice for the same testing. Of course, the insurance company questioned it and had to go through the entire process again. In other words, we were fine and covered and then all of a sudden it was rejected again. UGH!! What a nightmare!
Right now I am waiting to hear from the hospital about the rest of our family. According to the insurance people they paid already and had other payments sent in early December, and we only owed a couple hundred dollars total. However, the hospital explained to me that they had not received any payments since October. Who is telling the truth? Who knows? I would bet on the hospital because they definitely want to get their money and the insurance company will do whatever they can to NOT pay for services. I am convinced that insurance companies are pure evil! We have private insurance and have been paying a hefty bill each month for years. Now that it's time to collect they are playing this game with us. It's not fair and not right.
My advice to those of you who have medical bills like us is to make sure you keep all insurance and testing documentation. I am sure glad I did! Also, make sure to log your phone calls. That is another thing that kills me.... the amount of time I have spent on the phone on hold or talking to others trying to resolve this has been unreal. Now they have a system at the hospital where you have to push "1" to continue to hold. That means you can't put the phone down for a second. You have to put your life on hold. The voice-activated ones are worse! Try speaking to a computer when you've got screaming kids in the background... it's nearly impossible! Of course, my kids have a phone radar. They know when I am on the phone and immediately their volume goes up by 300%.
I will update you all on how my daughter is doing after her January appointment. All we can do right now is pray that we are doing the right thing. It's basically in the Lord's hands right now, so I can't stress about something I have no control over. She is such a sweet spirit and warms the heart of everyone she comes in contact with. I know she's got a greater purpose on this earth. She's definitely a leader and a friend to everyone she knows. I can only imagine the woman she will one day become.
*************************************
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!! May 2009 bring
you peace, joy, and prosperity.
*************************************
Sunday, December 21, 2008
One Too Many
There is something I have to get off my chest, and I thought this would be the perfect forum. Here we go....
Let's say that a toy manufacturer invents a toy and consequently distributes it through a major toy store all over the country. Let's say that the same manufacturer did not do a thorough testing evaluation to determine the safety of the toy before releasing it to the public. Once the toy hit the shelves it's a hit and so parents rush to the stores to buy this toy. Unfortunately, a few months later a parent gives the toy to their toddler who ends up dying of mercury poisoning because he put it in his mouth and the paint has mercury in it. The toy company has two options at this point. They could either pull the toys off the shelves and announce a recall, OR they could redesign the toys with a non-mercury based paint. If the company takes the toys off the shelves they still haven't lost anything. They sold thousands and only had one fatality that more than likely is settled out of court. If they decide to redesign the toy then it could take a little longer, they would have to admit there was something wrong with their product, and they could lose millions in the long-run. Hmmmm? What are they to do?
Vaccine manufacturers are in the same boat. The biggest difference is that their products are mandated and they are protected by the government against getting sued...thus the Vaccine Compensation Fund (VICP)and VAERS. Parents have no choice. They don't have to change their product or pull it off the shelf because frankly there is no need for it. Why should they? They make millions of dollars on the vaccines and the doctors push for it. They could add another dozen vaccines to the schedule and most parents would probably not give it another thought. Since it's for their child's well-being... why would they? Right?
Of course, I am being very sarcastic right now. If one child dies because of vaccines... in my opinion, that's one too many. I have met doctors who don't vaccinate their children. I have heard of doctors who delay vaccines but don't give a valid excuse of why they do it. They claim that it's better to wait until they are two months old, but don't believe that vaccines are dangerous. That's definitely conflicting opinions. What is it that they know that they don't want to tell us? Well...that's what this post is about. I am about to enlighten a few of you.
Myth #1: They have removed thimerosal from all childhood mandated vaccines.
Truth: The truth is that they have not TOTALLY removed it from all the vaccines and the flu vaccine still has it. I didn't believe it until I checked it out at the CDC official website. (I don't look at any of "quack" websites anymore.) There are traces of mercury still in many of the vaccines. They need to consider the cummulative amounts. In other words, they need to add up ALL of the mercury in ALL of the shots they give babies. It would NOT be "trace" amounts if you added it up.
Myth #2: All doctors believe that vaccines are safe and that the current schedule is the best one.Truth: My pediatric neurologist did not vaccinate his children and he knew of many doctors who believed that the toxins in vaccines interfered with normal brain development and immunity. Also, I know first-hand of doctors who do NOT follow the recommended CDC schedule of vaccination. They either wait until the baby is two months old OR they space out the vaccines a little farther apart.
Myth #3: The vaccine manufacturers have done extensive research to make sure that vaccines are safe. Truth: Hehehehehe.....LOL....ROFLOL....Okay...Seriously, do you think they pay a lot of money to independent researching companies? Nope! The NIH, FDA, CDC, and AHRQ are among the researching agencies... all government agencies. I don't believe in a "conspiracy theory". However, when the agencies that do the research have to rely on grants and private funds you know that there is room for corruption. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is definitely a need for change there. If you don't believe me, then look at how long it takes for drugs to be recalled. I am sure you have noticed all the lawsuit commercials for different drugs. It all falls within the same FDA and CDC people.
Myth #4: They wouldn't recommend the vaccine even if they knew there were some potential adverse affects. Truth: WRONG.... so WRONG.... check this out: www.menactra.com
Under Safety Information it reads: "Side effects to Menactra vaccine include injection site pain, redness, and swelling; headache or fatigue. Other side effects may occur. Vaccination should be avoided by persons with known hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction) to any ingredient of the vaccine, including latex (which is used in the vial stopper), or by any persons previously diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. There is a potential for an increased chance of getting Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination. Vaccination with Menactra vaccine may not protect all individuals. "
This is just ONE of the MANY examples I can give you. For those of you who don't know what Guillain-Barre Syndrome is, let me explain. The Mayo Clinic defines it this way: "Guillain-Barre syndrome is an uncommon inflammatory disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves, typically causing severe weakness and numbness that usually starts in your extremities and quickly worsens. Eventually your whole body can become paralyzed, even the muscles used for breathing...Luckily, this potentially deadly disorder is relatively rare, occurring worldwide in only one or two people per 100,000....There is no cure for the disorder."
So...you are basically taking the chance of giving your child this "uncommon inflammatory disorder" and horrific disease and "it may not protect all individuals". I guarantee that your doctor will tell you that it's worth the risk. However, not all parents will question this vaccine that can be given to children from age 2 to adults 55... CDC recommends this vaccine for children 11-18 years of age.
I think that if I were the parent of that one child who either died or contracted a horrible disease because of the shot, I would be totally devastated. It's not a matter of allergy or side-effects. I totally understand that there is going to be risks involved with anything like that. I am not that naive to think that medicine is 100% either. I know that. However, when the manufacturer and the CDC and the FDA all know that there is something like that going on and they still give the shots and mandate them until they can PROVE there is really nothing wrong then I think that is pure EVIL!!
Vaccines are just like medicine. It's all about profits. It takes something major to pull meds off the shelf. The same goes for the vaccines. They make so much money that they can afford to have some damages. That is why they continue to sell the products even though thousands of parents are screaming out, "My child has been injured! Please do something about it!" Only time will tell if they truly have the children's best interest at heart. I have a strong suspicion that once the minority becomes the majority then they won't be able to ignore it any longer. I pray it doesn't have to go so far.
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Thanks for taking the time to read this
post. It feels good to vent sometimes.
***************************************
Let's say that a toy manufacturer invents a toy and consequently distributes it through a major toy store all over the country. Let's say that the same manufacturer did not do a thorough testing evaluation to determine the safety of the toy before releasing it to the public. Once the toy hit the shelves it's a hit and so parents rush to the stores to buy this toy. Unfortunately, a few months later a parent gives the toy to their toddler who ends up dying of mercury poisoning because he put it in his mouth and the paint has mercury in it. The toy company has two options at this point. They could either pull the toys off the shelves and announce a recall, OR they could redesign the toys with a non-mercury based paint. If the company takes the toys off the shelves they still haven't lost anything. They sold thousands and only had one fatality that more than likely is settled out of court. If they decide to redesign the toy then it could take a little longer, they would have to admit there was something wrong with their product, and they could lose millions in the long-run. Hmmmm? What are they to do?
Vaccine manufacturers are in the same boat. The biggest difference is that their products are mandated and they are protected by the government against getting sued...thus the Vaccine Compensation Fund (VICP)and VAERS. Parents have no choice. They don't have to change their product or pull it off the shelf because frankly there is no need for it. Why should they? They make millions of dollars on the vaccines and the doctors push for it. They could add another dozen vaccines to the schedule and most parents would probably not give it another thought. Since it's for their child's well-being... why would they? Right?
Of course, I am being very sarcastic right now. If one child dies because of vaccines... in my opinion, that's one too many. I have met doctors who don't vaccinate their children. I have heard of doctors who delay vaccines but don't give a valid excuse of why they do it. They claim that it's better to wait until they are two months old, but don't believe that vaccines are dangerous. That's definitely conflicting opinions. What is it that they know that they don't want to tell us? Well...that's what this post is about. I am about to enlighten a few of you.
Myth #1: They have removed thimerosal from all childhood mandated vaccines.
Truth: The truth is that they have not TOTALLY removed it from all the vaccines and the flu vaccine still has it. I didn't believe it until I checked it out at the CDC official website. (I don't look at any of "quack" websites anymore.) There are traces of mercury still in many of the vaccines. They need to consider the cummulative amounts. In other words, they need to add up ALL of the mercury in ALL of the shots they give babies. It would NOT be "trace" amounts if you added it up.
Myth #2: All doctors believe that vaccines are safe and that the current schedule is the best one.Truth: My pediatric neurologist did not vaccinate his children and he knew of many doctors who believed that the toxins in vaccines interfered with normal brain development and immunity. Also, I know first-hand of doctors who do NOT follow the recommended CDC schedule of vaccination. They either wait until the baby is two months old OR they space out the vaccines a little farther apart.
Myth #3: The vaccine manufacturers have done extensive research to make sure that vaccines are safe. Truth: Hehehehehe.....LOL....ROFLOL....Okay...Seriously, do you think they pay a lot of money to independent researching companies? Nope! The NIH, FDA, CDC, and AHRQ are among the researching agencies... all government agencies. I don't believe in a "conspiracy theory". However, when the agencies that do the research have to rely on grants and private funds you know that there is room for corruption. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there is definitely a need for change there. If you don't believe me, then look at how long it takes for drugs to be recalled. I am sure you have noticed all the lawsuit commercials for different drugs. It all falls within the same FDA and CDC people.
Myth #4: They wouldn't recommend the vaccine even if they knew there were some potential adverse affects. Truth: WRONG.... so WRONG.... check this out: www.menactra.com
Under Safety Information it reads: "Side effects to Menactra vaccine include injection site pain, redness, and swelling; headache or fatigue. Other side effects may occur. Vaccination should be avoided by persons with known hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction) to any ingredient of the vaccine, including latex (which is used in the vial stopper), or by any persons previously diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. There is a potential for an increased chance of getting Guillain-Barré syndrome following vaccination. Vaccination with Menactra vaccine may not protect all individuals. "
This is just ONE of the MANY examples I can give you. For those of you who don't know what Guillain-Barre Syndrome is, let me explain. The Mayo Clinic defines it this way: "Guillain-Barre syndrome is an uncommon inflammatory disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves, typically causing severe weakness and numbness that usually starts in your extremities and quickly worsens. Eventually your whole body can become paralyzed, even the muscles used for breathing...Luckily, this potentially deadly disorder is relatively rare, occurring worldwide in only one or two people per 100,000....There is no cure for the disorder."
So...you are basically taking the chance of giving your child this "uncommon inflammatory disorder" and horrific disease and "it may not protect all individuals". I guarantee that your doctor will tell you that it's worth the risk. However, not all parents will question this vaccine that can be given to children from age 2 to adults 55... CDC recommends this vaccine for children 11-18 years of age.
I think that if I were the parent of that one child who either died or contracted a horrible disease because of the shot, I would be totally devastated. It's not a matter of allergy or side-effects. I totally understand that there is going to be risks involved with anything like that. I am not that naive to think that medicine is 100% either. I know that. However, when the manufacturer and the CDC and the FDA all know that there is something like that going on and they still give the shots and mandate them until they can PROVE there is really nothing wrong then I think that is pure EVIL!!
Vaccines are just like medicine. It's all about profits. It takes something major to pull meds off the shelf. The same goes for the vaccines. They make so much money that they can afford to have some damages. That is why they continue to sell the products even though thousands of parents are screaming out, "My child has been injured! Please do something about it!" Only time will tell if they truly have the children's best interest at heart. I have a strong suspicion that once the minority becomes the majority then they won't be able to ignore it any longer. I pray it doesn't have to go so far.
***************************************
Thanks for taking the time to read this
post. It feels good to vent sometimes.
***************************************
Monday, December 15, 2008
Omnibus Autism Proceeding Information
I never heard of the Omnibus Autism Proceeding until I happened to come across the terminology used over and over again when I was doing my research on vaccines and their link to autism. I decided one night to Google it and I was shocked at what I found out! There are so many people out there who have had children end up with autism (coincidentally) after either a shot or multiple shots that the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program had to come up with a system to deal with the approximately 5000 families. The bad news is that each family has to prove that vaccines injured their child.... the worst news is that there is a 3 year statute of limitations! (I will discuss that further in a moment.)
This is the link to the docket of the Omnibus Trial Hearing: http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/node/2718
I am lucky to have a wonderful husband who is a lawyer. I want to start off by saying that any information and comments I make on this post are not intended to be legal advice. I am just a mother who wants to make sure that others don't have to go through the same ordeal I did. I also want to spare you some mistakes I made.
When you go to the website you can actually click on the links to audio recording of the proceedings. I have to warn you that a lot of them are lengthy and you have to listen to a lot of legal discussions. However, there are some wonderful testimonies by MEDICAL doctors that you would be wise to listen to. I am not a medical doctor so what I say doesn't have as much merit as someone who has YEARS of medical experience. There are hours of testimony recorded and I urge you to listen to some of them. These are the directions on how to get to the recordings: 1) Place your mouse over "Vaccine Information" on the left-hand side of the page 2)Then click on "Autism Proceeding" (that will take you to the audio recordings and transcripts). You can listen to the proceedings while doing other things such as checking emails, etc... the audio will continue to play until you stop it. Also, you can click on the transcripts and read it a lot faster.
I read through most of the transcripts about two years ago. It was so interesting to me that I literally spent four hours one night reading through them. I had to stop myself because I became a little obsessed with the whole thing. I gave myself a break and then continued and found out that there were dozens of doctors and researchers involved in this case and even Johns Hopkins has a group working on a way to counteract the affects of vaccines on kids with autism.... possibly developing a "cure". I am totally convinced that if the public knew about this then something would get done quickly. All I want... all anyone wants is for vaccines to be safe. We already take a risk each time we give our kids shots and we shouldn't have to take more risks in the safety of the ingredients in shots. Everyone already knows that mercury is toxic. In small amounts it causes all sorts of brain damage. That's not rocket science. However, this trial or "proceeding" is to prove once and for all that vaccines can and DO cause autism in SOME children and that parents need to be aware of it.... especially if autism runs in their family.
My hope is that if enough people demand greener vaccines then the vaccine manufacturers will feel the pinch in their pockets and profits will drop to the extent that they will have NO choice but to meet the demands of concerned parents. It just doesn't have to be this way.
Now, I am ready to explain the process that needs to be executed as soon as possible, the time restrictions (statute of limitations), and how to best organize yourself to prepare documentation and your case. First of all, and most importantly, there is a 3 year statute of limitations on the Omnibus Autism Proceeding. That means that you have three years from the time of onset of injury to file your case. Simply put, if your child received shots and was injured more than 3 years ago, then you are out of luck. Even if it's an obvious injury... even if there is documentation... even if your child DIED.... you have only 3 years!!! This is one of the reasons I wanted to write this post. We were lucky and got our papers filed to the month of our 3 year cut-off. However, with my #2 (which we have a stronger case) we were out of luck. It happened more than 3 years ago. If you think you have a case then I urge you to act quickly.
The first step is to visit: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/omnibusproceeding.htm
(Click on "Omnibus Autism Proceeding" on the right-hand side of the screen and it will direct you to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. You can see a "Sample Filing" under the "Vaccine Information".) I was blessed to have a husband who could do it correctly. His legal background has helped us tremendously. I strongly recommend getting legal advice. However, it IS possible to do it yourself. You don't HAVE to get a lawyer to file your claim. Also, once it goes to D.C. you will be assigned legal counsel. They will handle things over there and you won't have to travel to Washington, D.C. I was kind of worried about that.
Next thing you need to do is get copies of all your medical records from all of the doctors that have treated or seen your child. I have to warn you that some doctors will charge you for this. One of my doctors charged me PER PAGE!! I had another doctor who was sweet enough to make the copies for FREE! Once you obtain these records you need to make copies... I would suggest 5 copies because you will need 3 just for filing. It's better to have extra just in case. Make sure that the notes and important information are legible on your copies. You might need to adjust the copier to make it darker in some cases. The medical records will become part of your exhibits or evidence and you want to make sure that the court can read them. Try to organize them in order and by doctor. In my case, I put each doctor in a separate "Exhibit" and placed all the laboratory testing and documentation made by that particular doctor. It made it easier to find information as needed. You have to submit your medical records either binded or electronically. We chose to do it on paper because we felt better about that. However, if you are computer savvy then you might prefer the electronic method. The website explains how to do it either way.
When you file your claim then you will receive directions from the court as to what they need and the deadlines. I URGE you to read it thoroughly and take note of the deadlines. We came very close a few times. Believe me, they aren't going to make it easy for you. The important thing is to keep copies of everything just in case and when you put together your exhibits and documentation make sure you make a copy for yourself. Learn from my mistake. You will need to send three copies of most everything and if you accidentally forget you can easily just copy what you have versus trying to figure out what you sent.
One thing I would like to discuss is how do you know if you have a case or not? Who needs to file a claim? What are the theories of causation? Good questions. First of all, there are THREE theories of causation. The first theory says that any mercury-containing vaccine can cause autism. The second says that mercury-containing vaccines PLUS MMR cause autism. The third says that only the MMR causes autism. (Very condensed version for sure. You can read more in depth in the website.) You will need to choose one theory of causation. We chose the first. My belief is that the cumulative effect of mercury-containing vaccines caused my child to have autism. We are extremely lucky that we were able to treat the damage caused by the vaccines, and she is much better now... not completely recovered, but she is a totally different child. I have to admit that I was hesitant about filing this claim. However, after much thought and prayer I realized that we HAD to. It wasn't only for our children, but for all those out there that don't have a voice. There are thousands of families that can't file because their child was injured more than 3 years ago. That is a travesty of justice, in my humble opinion. It doesn't change the fact that they were injured and those families have to live with the consequences.
Once you submit all of your evidence and affidavit then you will submit a statement of completion letting them know that you are done submitting information to the court. At this point it is in the hands of the court to look at the testimony and evidence and you will receive updates on what is going on. I looked at the docket and saw many cases that have been pending for years. So... this is definitely not going to be over any time soon. It is going to take years before it's over. One thing I forgot to mention is not to panic if the court calls you. I received a few calls from them and they were all very sweet. They will call if they need something or have a question. Also, don't hesitate to call THEM as well. Their number is on the correspondence that you will receive. Each case is assigned a different judge (or Special Masters), legal counsel, etc. so you will need to wait for them to send you the paperwork before you will know that information.
To recap:
1) Statute of limitations: 3 years
2) Make a decision on theory of causation. There are three theories.
3) Get copies of medical records and all evidence necessary for your case.
4) Go to the website and get information on filing your claim
5) The court will contact you via mail with all important information and instructions. Read it carefully and follow the deadlines.
6) Don't panic if they call you and don't hesitate to call them if you have ANY questions. Everyone I have spoken to has been very helpful and nice.
7) Be patient because this could take a very long time.
*****************************************
"One can never consent to creep when one
feels an impulse to soar."-Helen Keller
*****************************************
This is the link to the docket of the Omnibus Trial Hearing: http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/node/2718
I am lucky to have a wonderful husband who is a lawyer. I want to start off by saying that any information and comments I make on this post are not intended to be legal advice. I am just a mother who wants to make sure that others don't have to go through the same ordeal I did. I also want to spare you some mistakes I made.
When you go to the website you can actually click on the links to audio recording of the proceedings. I have to warn you that a lot of them are lengthy and you have to listen to a lot of legal discussions. However, there are some wonderful testimonies by MEDICAL doctors that you would be wise to listen to. I am not a medical doctor so what I say doesn't have as much merit as someone who has YEARS of medical experience. There are hours of testimony recorded and I urge you to listen to some of them. These are the directions on how to get to the recordings: 1) Place your mouse over "Vaccine Information" on the left-hand side of the page 2)Then click on "Autism Proceeding" (that will take you to the audio recordings and transcripts). You can listen to the proceedings while doing other things such as checking emails, etc... the audio will continue to play until you stop it. Also, you can click on the transcripts and read it a lot faster.
I read through most of the transcripts about two years ago. It was so interesting to me that I literally spent four hours one night reading through them. I had to stop myself because I became a little obsessed with the whole thing. I gave myself a break and then continued and found out that there were dozens of doctors and researchers involved in this case and even Johns Hopkins has a group working on a way to counteract the affects of vaccines on kids with autism.... possibly developing a "cure". I am totally convinced that if the public knew about this then something would get done quickly. All I want... all anyone wants is for vaccines to be safe. We already take a risk each time we give our kids shots and we shouldn't have to take more risks in the safety of the ingredients in shots. Everyone already knows that mercury is toxic. In small amounts it causes all sorts of brain damage. That's not rocket science. However, this trial or "proceeding" is to prove once and for all that vaccines can and DO cause autism in SOME children and that parents need to be aware of it.... especially if autism runs in their family.
My hope is that if enough people demand greener vaccines then the vaccine manufacturers will feel the pinch in their pockets and profits will drop to the extent that they will have NO choice but to meet the demands of concerned parents. It just doesn't have to be this way.
Now, I am ready to explain the process that needs to be executed as soon as possible, the time restrictions (statute of limitations), and how to best organize yourself to prepare documentation and your case. First of all, and most importantly, there is a 3 year statute of limitations on the Omnibus Autism Proceeding. That means that you have three years from the time of onset of injury to file your case. Simply put, if your child received shots and was injured more than 3 years ago, then you are out of luck. Even if it's an obvious injury... even if there is documentation... even if your child DIED.... you have only 3 years!!! This is one of the reasons I wanted to write this post. We were lucky and got our papers filed to the month of our 3 year cut-off. However, with my #2 (which we have a stronger case) we were out of luck. It happened more than 3 years ago. If you think you have a case then I urge you to act quickly.
The first step is to visit: http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/omnibusproceeding.htm
(Click on "Omnibus Autism Proceeding" on the right-hand side of the screen and it will direct you to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. You can see a "Sample Filing" under the "Vaccine Information".) I was blessed to have a husband who could do it correctly. His legal background has helped us tremendously. I strongly recommend getting legal advice. However, it IS possible to do it yourself. You don't HAVE to get a lawyer to file your claim. Also, once it goes to D.C. you will be assigned legal counsel. They will handle things over there and you won't have to travel to Washington, D.C. I was kind of worried about that.
Next thing you need to do is get copies of all your medical records from all of the doctors that have treated or seen your child. I have to warn you that some doctors will charge you for this. One of my doctors charged me PER PAGE!! I had another doctor who was sweet enough to make the copies for FREE! Once you obtain these records you need to make copies... I would suggest 5 copies because you will need 3 just for filing. It's better to have extra just in case. Make sure that the notes and important information are legible on your copies. You might need to adjust the copier to make it darker in some cases. The medical records will become part of your exhibits or evidence and you want to make sure that the court can read them. Try to organize them in order and by doctor. In my case, I put each doctor in a separate "Exhibit" and placed all the laboratory testing and documentation made by that particular doctor. It made it easier to find information as needed. You have to submit your medical records either binded or electronically. We chose to do it on paper because we felt better about that. However, if you are computer savvy then you might prefer the electronic method. The website explains how to do it either way.
When you file your claim then you will receive directions from the court as to what they need and the deadlines. I URGE you to read it thoroughly and take note of the deadlines. We came very close a few times. Believe me, they aren't going to make it easy for you. The important thing is to keep copies of everything just in case and when you put together your exhibits and documentation make sure you make a copy for yourself. Learn from my mistake. You will need to send three copies of most everything and if you accidentally forget you can easily just copy what you have versus trying to figure out what you sent.
One thing I would like to discuss is how do you know if you have a case or not? Who needs to file a claim? What are the theories of causation? Good questions. First of all, there are THREE theories of causation. The first theory says that any mercury-containing vaccine can cause autism. The second says that mercury-containing vaccines PLUS MMR cause autism. The third says that only the MMR causes autism. (Very condensed version for sure. You can read more in depth in the website.) You will need to choose one theory of causation. We chose the first. My belief is that the cumulative effect of mercury-containing vaccines caused my child to have autism. We are extremely lucky that we were able to treat the damage caused by the vaccines, and she is much better now... not completely recovered, but she is a totally different child. I have to admit that I was hesitant about filing this claim. However, after much thought and prayer I realized that we HAD to. It wasn't only for our children, but for all those out there that don't have a voice. There are thousands of families that can't file because their child was injured more than 3 years ago. That is a travesty of justice, in my humble opinion. It doesn't change the fact that they were injured and those families have to live with the consequences.
Once you submit all of your evidence and affidavit then you will submit a statement of completion letting them know that you are done submitting information to the court. At this point it is in the hands of the court to look at the testimony and evidence and you will receive updates on what is going on. I looked at the docket and saw many cases that have been pending for years. So... this is definitely not going to be over any time soon. It is going to take years before it's over. One thing I forgot to mention is not to panic if the court calls you. I received a few calls from them and they were all very sweet. They will call if they need something or have a question. Also, don't hesitate to call THEM as well. Their number is on the correspondence that you will receive. Each case is assigned a different judge (or Special Masters), legal counsel, etc. so you will need to wait for them to send you the paperwork before you will know that information.
To recap:
1) Statute of limitations: 3 years
2) Make a decision on theory of causation. There are three theories.
3) Get copies of medical records and all evidence necessary for your case.
4) Go to the website and get information on filing your claim
5) The court will contact you via mail with all important information and instructions. Read it carefully and follow the deadlines.
6) Don't panic if they call you and don't hesitate to call them if you have ANY questions. Everyone I have spoken to has been very helpful and nice.
7) Be patient because this could take a very long time.
*****************************************
"One can never consent to creep when one
feels an impulse to soar."-Helen Keller
*****************************************
What is a Learning Disability ..... Part III
*Again.... I want to remind you all that this is information is taken from the F.A.T. City Learning Disability Workshop hosted by Richard D. Lavoie.
Experiencing Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension:
LD children experience these feelings when teachers:
1) use throwaway sarcasms which may make the rest of the class laugh but create a victim out of the LD child;
2) move through question and answer periods so rapidly that LD children cannot keep up and choose not to volunteer, or when called on, cannot answer;
3) become intimidating, and demand that LD students "Look at them" when they speak to them.
Inability to Process Language:
LD children's inability to process language as rapidly as others may make it necessary for teachers to:
1) move less rapidly through classroom discussion, especially the question and answer periods;
2) take the LD child aside and promise only to call on him or her when standing in front of the student's desk. That way, only the teacher and LD student know when the student is required to answer.
Risk Taking:
Sometimes intimidating situations in the classroom make LD students hesitant to take risks. This leads to:
1) lack of participation in classroom discussion for fear of giving a wrong answer which will be ridiculed;
2) LD students developing into LD adults who are reluctant to take chances.
Visual Perception:
The visual perception problems of LD students make it difficult for them to immediately understand what they are looking at. This problem is exacerbated by teachers who:
1) urge the LD student to "try harder" to understand what he or she is having trouble making sense of;
2) attempt to "bribe" such students by offering them an early recess or less homework, etc.;
3) attempt to threaten the student by withdrawing such things as recess, etc.;
4) engage in "blaming the victim" by accusing the LD child of not trying hard enough.
Reading Comprehension:
LD students have trouble with reading comprehension even if they know and recognize individual words within a sentence.
They may be dyslexic or they may not have a grasp of the background information required to understand what they are reading.
The Effect of Visual Perception on Behavior:
Often the LD child gets into trouble and does now know what he or she did wrong. Misperceptions of visual stimuli can lead the LD student to give incorrect answers or respond inappropriately to situations.
Visual-Motor Coordination:
Difficulties with visual-motor coordination often make the writing process very difficult for LD students.
Oral Expression:
The inability to retrieve stored linguistic information the way others can is called dysnomia. Teachers can help with this problem by giving the LD student more time to answer and respond to questions.
Reading and Decoding:
LD students are often dyslexic and they cannot decode information as quickly as others can.
Auditory and Visual Capabilities:
LD students often need to hear a written passage before they are able to comprehend it. Many LD students benefit from having books on audiotape.
Fairness:
Teachers are urged to reexamine the notion of what is "fair." "Fair" does not mean that every child gets the same treatment, but that every child gets what he or she needs.
..........................................
The last point is one of the most important ones in this post! I had problems with my #2's kindergarten teacher because she would use that reasoning all the time. She couldn't make special exceptions for my child because it wouldn't be "fair" or that if she did that for MY child then she would have to do it for ALL.... which is something that needs to change! For example, my #2 had trouble settling down for nap time and I asked if he could just have a book or something quiet to do since he no longer took naps... well, the answer was, "it wouldn't be fair." SOOOOOOOOOO frustrating!!!!
*************************************
What is fairness? Do we cater to the
few in spite of the majority... or do
we let let those few fall between the
cracks?
*************************************
Experiencing Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension:
LD children experience these feelings when teachers:
1) use throwaway sarcasms which may make the rest of the class laugh but create a victim out of the LD child;
2) move through question and answer periods so rapidly that LD children cannot keep up and choose not to volunteer, or when called on, cannot answer;
3) become intimidating, and demand that LD students "Look at them" when they speak to them.
Inability to Process Language:
LD children's inability to process language as rapidly as others may make it necessary for teachers to:
1) move less rapidly through classroom discussion, especially the question and answer periods;
2) take the LD child aside and promise only to call on him or her when standing in front of the student's desk. That way, only the teacher and LD student know when the student is required to answer.
Risk Taking:
Sometimes intimidating situations in the classroom make LD students hesitant to take risks. This leads to:
1) lack of participation in classroom discussion for fear of giving a wrong answer which will be ridiculed;
2) LD students developing into LD adults who are reluctant to take chances.
Visual Perception:
The visual perception problems of LD students make it difficult for them to immediately understand what they are looking at. This problem is exacerbated by teachers who:
1) urge the LD student to "try harder" to understand what he or she is having trouble making sense of;
2) attempt to "bribe" such students by offering them an early recess or less homework, etc.;
3) attempt to threaten the student by withdrawing such things as recess, etc.;
4) engage in "blaming the victim" by accusing the LD child of not trying hard enough.
Reading Comprehension:
LD students have trouble with reading comprehension even if they know and recognize individual words within a sentence.
They may be dyslexic or they may not have a grasp of the background information required to understand what they are reading.
The Effect of Visual Perception on Behavior:
Often the LD child gets into trouble and does now know what he or she did wrong. Misperceptions of visual stimuli can lead the LD student to give incorrect answers or respond inappropriately to situations.
Visual-Motor Coordination:
Difficulties with visual-motor coordination often make the writing process very difficult for LD students.
Oral Expression:
The inability to retrieve stored linguistic information the way others can is called dysnomia. Teachers can help with this problem by giving the LD student more time to answer and respond to questions.
Reading and Decoding:
LD students are often dyslexic and they cannot decode information as quickly as others can.
Auditory and Visual Capabilities:
LD students often need to hear a written passage before they are able to comprehend it. Many LD students benefit from having books on audiotape.
Fairness:
Teachers are urged to reexamine the notion of what is "fair." "Fair" does not mean that every child gets the same treatment, but that every child gets what he or she needs.
..........................................
The last point is one of the most important ones in this post! I had problems with my #2's kindergarten teacher because she would use that reasoning all the time. She couldn't make special exceptions for my child because it wouldn't be "fair" or that if she did that for MY child then she would have to do it for ALL.... which is something that needs to change! For example, my #2 had trouble settling down for nap time and I asked if he could just have a book or something quiet to do since he no longer took naps... well, the answer was, "it wouldn't be fair." SOOOOOOOOOO frustrating!!!!
*************************************
What is fairness? Do we cater to the
few in spite of the majority... or do
we let let those few fall between the
cracks?
*************************************
Thursday, December 4, 2008
What is a Learning Disability ....... Part II
What are the early warning signs of learning disabilities? That's an excellent question parents and educators should ask. Children with learning disabilities exhibit a wide range of symptoms. These include problems with reading, mathematics, comprehension, writing, spoken language, or reasoning abilities. Hyperactivity, inattention and perceptual coordination may also be associated with learning disabilities but are not learning disabilities themselves. The primary characteristic of a learning disability is a significant difference between a child's achievement in some areas and his or her overall intelligence.
Learning disabilities typically affect five general areas:
1. Spoken Language: delays, disorders, and deviations in listening and speaking
2. Written language: difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling
3. Arithmetic: difficulty in performing arithmetic operations or in understanding basic concepts
4. Reasoning: difficulty in organizing and integrating thoughts
5. Memory: difficulty in remembering information and instructions.
(At this point I would like to comment on what has been discussed so far. As you can see there is a significant amount of information and it can be a bit overwhelming. I just want to say that the early warning signs that are about to follow are not comprehensive but extensive. Just because your child has any of these "signs" doesn't mean he is automatically "learning disabled". This is just a list that a parent can look at if they have reasons to believe that their child might be or if there is any question as to the possibility of testing or early intervention.)
Among the symptoms commonly related to learning disabilities are:
* poor performance on group tests
* difficulty discriminating size, shape, color
* difficulty with temporal (time) concepts
* distorted concept of body image
* reversals in writing and reading
* general awkwardness
* poor visual-motor coordination
* hyperactivity
* difficulty copying accurately from a model
* slowness in completing work
* poor organizational skills
* easily confused with instructions
* difficulty with abstract reasoning and/or problem-solving
* disorganized thinking
* often obsesses on one topic or idea
* poor short-term or long-term memory
* impulsive behavior; lack of reflective thought prior to action
* low tolerance for frustration
* excessive movement during sleep
* poor peer relationships
* overly excitable during group play
* poor social judgment
* inappropriate, unselective, and often excessive display of affection
* lags in development milestones (e.g.,motor, language)
* behavior often inappropriate for situation
* failure to see consequences for his actions
* overly gullible; easily led by peers
* excessive variation in mood and responsiveness
* poor adjustment to environmental changes
* overly distractible; difficulty concentrating
* difficulty making decisions
* lack of hand preference or mixed dominance
* difficulty with tasks requiring sequencing
When considering these symptoms, it is important to remain mindful of the following:
* No one will have all these symptoms
* Among LD populations, some symptoms are more common than others
* All people have at least two or three of these symptoms to some degree
* The number of symptoms seen in a particular child does not give an indication as to whether the disability is mild or severe. It is important to consider if the behaviors are chronic and appear in clusters.
(I hope this information helps some of you who have questions about your child. My hope is that perhaps some educators will also benefit from this information as well. In my next post I will discuss some specific examples and ideas presented in "The F.A.T. City Learning Disability Workshop".
*********************************************************
Next time: Experiencing Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension
*********************************************************
Learning disabilities typically affect five general areas:
1. Spoken Language: delays, disorders, and deviations in listening and speaking
2. Written language: difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling
3. Arithmetic: difficulty in performing arithmetic operations or in understanding basic concepts
4. Reasoning: difficulty in organizing and integrating thoughts
5. Memory: difficulty in remembering information and instructions.
(At this point I would like to comment on what has been discussed so far. As you can see there is a significant amount of information and it can be a bit overwhelming. I just want to say that the early warning signs that are about to follow are not comprehensive but extensive. Just because your child has any of these "signs" doesn't mean he is automatically "learning disabled". This is just a list that a parent can look at if they have reasons to believe that their child might be or if there is any question as to the possibility of testing or early intervention.)
Among the symptoms commonly related to learning disabilities are:
* poor performance on group tests
* difficulty discriminating size, shape, color
* difficulty with temporal (time) concepts
* distorted concept of body image
* reversals in writing and reading
* general awkwardness
* poor visual-motor coordination
* hyperactivity
* difficulty copying accurately from a model
* slowness in completing work
* poor organizational skills
* easily confused with instructions
* difficulty with abstract reasoning and/or problem-solving
* disorganized thinking
* often obsesses on one topic or idea
* poor short-term or long-term memory
* impulsive behavior; lack of reflective thought prior to action
* low tolerance for frustration
* excessive movement during sleep
* poor peer relationships
* overly excitable during group play
* poor social judgment
* inappropriate, unselective, and often excessive display of affection
* lags in development milestones (e.g.,motor, language)
* behavior often inappropriate for situation
* failure to see consequences for his actions
* overly gullible; easily led by peers
* excessive variation in mood and responsiveness
* poor adjustment to environmental changes
* overly distractible; difficulty concentrating
* difficulty making decisions
* lack of hand preference or mixed dominance
* difficulty with tasks requiring sequencing
When considering these symptoms, it is important to remain mindful of the following:
* No one will have all these symptoms
* Among LD populations, some symptoms are more common than others
* All people have at least two or three of these symptoms to some degree
* The number of symptoms seen in a particular child does not give an indication as to whether the disability is mild or severe. It is important to consider if the behaviors are chronic and appear in clusters.
(I hope this information helps some of you who have questions about your child. My hope is that perhaps some educators will also benefit from this information as well. In my next post I will discuss some specific examples and ideas presented in "The F.A.T. City Learning Disability Workshop".
*********************************************************
Next time: Experiencing Frustration, Anxiety, and Tension
*********************************************************
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
What is a Learning Disability? ........(Part I )
*Note*: Please read this post even if you don't have a child who is learning disabled. I know that many of you will one day (if not already) meet or know someone who has been affected. This information is for ALL parents and educators.
The following information was taken from the notes given to me when I went to the workshop given by Churchill Academy. We had the opportunity of seeing the "F.A.T City Learning Disability Workshop" hosted by Richard D. Lavoie. I have already explained how wonderful the movie was and how much my husband and I learned.
I have to admit that I used to have misconceptions and prejudgments about people who were in "special education" when I was growing up. I thought people who were Learning Disabled (LD) were dumb and couldn't learn. I thought it meant that they were "mentally retarded". However, being LD doesn't mean that at all. After going to this workshop I have a better understanding of what it means.
One of the main points made at the workshop was that there is no clear and widely accepted definition of "learning disabilities", and because of the nature of the field and ongoing debate on the issue of definition there are currently at least twelve definitions that appear in the professional literature! However, they DO agree on certain factors:
1) The learning disabled have difficulties with academic achievement and progress; discrepancies exist between a person's potential for learning and what he actually learns.
2) The learning disabled show an uneven pattern of development (language development, physical development, academic development).
3) Learning problems are NOT due to environmental disadvantage.
4) Learning problems are NOT due to mental retardation or emotional disturbance.
The term "learning disability" was coined by Dr. Samuel Kirk in 1962. It is often referred to as the "hidden handicap" because there is no outward appearance of the disability. Children with learning disabilities appear to be no different than their normal peers.
I think that last statement is one of the most important things I want people to know. There are so many times when teachers and educators misunderstand the behavior of kids. Just imagine being a child who has difficulty processing information (perhaps you have dyslexia) and a teacher puts you on the spot constantly and belittles you in front of the class. Imagine how much your self-esteem would suffer. What about that kid who cannot concentrate on the teacher because he has to work extra hard to block out distractions such as noises outside or someone tapping their pencil on their desk. Imagine the improvement in classroom behavior and academic achievement if educators learned the different types of challenges some kids face. Not only that, but think of the practicality for parents. What if we could understand why our kids behave the way they do?
What Causes Learning Disabilities? That is a good question. Here are some general observations that have been found:
1) Some children develop and mature at a slower rate than others in the same age group. As a result, they may not be able to do the expected school work. This kind of learning disability is called "maturational lag."
2) Some children with normal vision and hearing may misinterpret everyday sights and sounds because of some unexplained disorder of the nervous system.
3) Injuries before birth or in early childhood may account for some later learning problems.
4) Children born prematurely and children who had medical problems soon after birth sometimes have learning disabilities.
5) Learning disabilities tend to run in families, so some learning disabilities may be inherited.
6) Learning disabilities are more common in boys than girls, possibly because boys tend to mature more slowly.
7) Some learning disabilities appear to be linked to the irregular spelling, pronunciation, and structure of the English language. The incidence of learning disabilities is lower in Spanish or Italian-speaking countries.
Interesting stuff, huh? Don't worry....there's more, but I will continue the topic another day.
*******************************************
Next time: What are the early warning signs
of learning disabilities.
*******************************************
The following information was taken from the notes given to me when I went to the workshop given by Churchill Academy. We had the opportunity of seeing the "F.A.T City Learning Disability Workshop" hosted by Richard D. Lavoie. I have already explained how wonderful the movie was and how much my husband and I learned.
I have to admit that I used to have misconceptions and prejudgments about people who were in "special education" when I was growing up. I thought people who were Learning Disabled (LD) were dumb and couldn't learn. I thought it meant that they were "mentally retarded". However, being LD doesn't mean that at all. After going to this workshop I have a better understanding of what it means.
One of the main points made at the workshop was that there is no clear and widely accepted definition of "learning disabilities", and because of the nature of the field and ongoing debate on the issue of definition there are currently at least twelve definitions that appear in the professional literature! However, they DO agree on certain factors:
1) The learning disabled have difficulties with academic achievement and progress; discrepancies exist between a person's potential for learning and what he actually learns.
2) The learning disabled show an uneven pattern of development (language development, physical development, academic development).
3) Learning problems are NOT due to environmental disadvantage.
4) Learning problems are NOT due to mental retardation or emotional disturbance.
The term "learning disability" was coined by Dr. Samuel Kirk in 1962. It is often referred to as the "hidden handicap" because there is no outward appearance of the disability. Children with learning disabilities appear to be no different than their normal peers.
I think that last statement is one of the most important things I want people to know. There are so many times when teachers and educators misunderstand the behavior of kids. Just imagine being a child who has difficulty processing information (perhaps you have dyslexia) and a teacher puts you on the spot constantly and belittles you in front of the class. Imagine how much your self-esteem would suffer. What about that kid who cannot concentrate on the teacher because he has to work extra hard to block out distractions such as noises outside or someone tapping their pencil on their desk. Imagine the improvement in classroom behavior and academic achievement if educators learned the different types of challenges some kids face. Not only that, but think of the practicality for parents. What if we could understand why our kids behave the way they do?
What Causes Learning Disabilities? That is a good question. Here are some general observations that have been found:
1) Some children develop and mature at a slower rate than others in the same age group. As a result, they may not be able to do the expected school work. This kind of learning disability is called "maturational lag."
2) Some children with normal vision and hearing may misinterpret everyday sights and sounds because of some unexplained disorder of the nervous system.
3) Injuries before birth or in early childhood may account for some later learning problems.
4) Children born prematurely and children who had medical problems soon after birth sometimes have learning disabilities.
5) Learning disabilities tend to run in families, so some learning disabilities may be inherited.
6) Learning disabilities are more common in boys than girls, possibly because boys tend to mature more slowly.
7) Some learning disabilities appear to be linked to the irregular spelling, pronunciation, and structure of the English language. The incidence of learning disabilities is lower in Spanish or Italian-speaking countries.
Interesting stuff, huh? Don't worry....there's more, but I will continue the topic another day.
*******************************************
Next time: What are the early warning signs
of learning disabilities.
*******************************************
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Happiest Place on Earth
This past week we ventured into uncharted territory....Disney! Who can totally be prepared for an experience like that? We knew there would be a lot of people, but there were thousands and thousands of people. We knew the lines would be long, but we had minimum of thirty minute wait per ride. The food is infamously expensive, but we have no idea it would be such low quality. Needless to say, it was an adventure.
I am so glad that we had more than a couple days to spend in Orlando because it took us a couple of days to get used to the routine. By the third day we were "pros" and we had things figured out. We quickly learned that getting in line to get a "fast-pass" was well worth the wait. We planned the rides we wanted to take and charted our course. We split up on rides where the younger ones could not ride and that helped us cover even more ground. Last, but definitely not least, we planned our potty breaks and food breaks. I can honestly say that we did not have a single accident!
We learned a lot of life lessons from this trip. The first thing we learned was patience. We had to wait in line for EVERYTHING.... including using the bathroom. I still cannot believe that in a place that is supposed to be catered towards families with children there was only ONE changing table in each bathroom. So... I would go inside and wait in line to change my baby's diaper and then I had to get in the back of the loooong line to use the bathroom myself. It was ridiculous! We also had to wait in line for the rides. I was expecting that so it didn't shock me. I remember how hard it was as a child having to wait in line. However, I quickly learned that when you have to stand in line for such a long time you end up meeting some really cool people. In one of the lines I spoke with an older couple from Germany who were here with a choir. They actually sang at Epcot the night before and they were going to go to a singing workshop that evening. They had never been to Disney and so they had a lot of questions for me. I was more than happy to oblige. Then there was a neat family from Texas who just fell in love with our daughter. They ended up showing her a secret handshake and gave her some really great advice before boarding the ride. They told her, "remember to always love yourself and you too can one day become president." I thought it was cute.
Another great lesson we learned was that as long as the kids were fed, they were happy. We did pretty well making sure we had snacks and water packed for the day. We didn't want to have pay the ridiculous prices for those things inside. We quickly learned that if we took a "snack" break about every two hours then the kids were able to wait in line better and we were all in a much better mood. Sometimes we even took those snack breaks while waiting in line! That helped the time go by faster and it kept our little toddler calmer as well.
Last, but not least, we learned that there is nothing better than being together as a family. It doesn't matter where you are. The moment we got back from our trip I felt such a sense of peace and contentment. It wasn't that we didn't have a good time, because we did. We had the best accommodations and stayed at a prime spot where everything was nearby. We also were able to visit a lot of theme parks and ride all the rides we wanted to. However, I honestly can say that the happiest place on earth (at least for our family) is home.
*****************************************
There's no place like home. (Wizard of Oz)
*****************************************
I am so glad that we had more than a couple days to spend in Orlando because it took us a couple of days to get used to the routine. By the third day we were "pros" and we had things figured out. We quickly learned that getting in line to get a "fast-pass" was well worth the wait. We planned the rides we wanted to take and charted our course. We split up on rides where the younger ones could not ride and that helped us cover even more ground. Last, but definitely not least, we planned our potty breaks and food breaks. I can honestly say that we did not have a single accident!
We learned a lot of life lessons from this trip. The first thing we learned was patience. We had to wait in line for EVERYTHING.... including using the bathroom. I still cannot believe that in a place that is supposed to be catered towards families with children there was only ONE changing table in each bathroom. So... I would go inside and wait in line to change my baby's diaper and then I had to get in the back of the loooong line to use the bathroom myself. It was ridiculous! We also had to wait in line for the rides. I was expecting that so it didn't shock me. I remember how hard it was as a child having to wait in line. However, I quickly learned that when you have to stand in line for such a long time you end up meeting some really cool people. In one of the lines I spoke with an older couple from Germany who were here with a choir. They actually sang at Epcot the night before and they were going to go to a singing workshop that evening. They had never been to Disney and so they had a lot of questions for me. I was more than happy to oblige. Then there was a neat family from Texas who just fell in love with our daughter. They ended up showing her a secret handshake and gave her some really great advice before boarding the ride. They told her, "remember to always love yourself and you too can one day become president." I thought it was cute.
Another great lesson we learned was that as long as the kids were fed, they were happy. We did pretty well making sure we had snacks and water packed for the day. We didn't want to have pay the ridiculous prices for those things inside. We quickly learned that if we took a "snack" break about every two hours then the kids were able to wait in line better and we were all in a much better mood. Sometimes we even took those snack breaks while waiting in line! That helped the time go by faster and it kept our little toddler calmer as well.
Last, but not least, we learned that there is nothing better than being together as a family. It doesn't matter where you are. The moment we got back from our trip I felt such a sense of peace and contentment. It wasn't that we didn't have a good time, because we did. We had the best accommodations and stayed at a prime spot where everything was nearby. We also were able to visit a lot of theme parks and ride all the rides we wanted to. However, I honestly can say that the happiest place on earth (at least for our family) is home.
*****************************************
There's no place like home. (Wizard of Oz)
*****************************************
Friday, November 21, 2008
What You Should Know About the Flu Shot
When I worked at the laboratory I was required to get the annual flu shot in order to work there. I never thought anything of it and everyone else got it, so I had no reason to worry. Recently, I have questioned the efficacy of the flu shot and if the risks are worth the possible benefits. I was shocked at what I found out.
First, the Flu Vaccine DOES contain thimerosal (mercury-based preservative). I even found negative information concerning the FluMist vaccine. In the section of the FluMist package insert labeled "PRECAUTIONS," the manufacturer states the following warning: "FluMist® recipients should avoid close contact with immunocompromised individuals for at least 21 days."
The warning is specifically directed toward those living in the same household with an immunocompromised person, but the on-going release of live viruses throughout the community may be a significant risk to everyone who has a weak, or weakened, immune system. I thought that was interesting considering that "immunocompromised" individuals include the elderly and infants, who ironically cannot receive the FluMist vaccine.
The way they make the Flu vaccine is another thing to consider. They don't make the vaccine for the strain that is going around THIS year.... they use LAST year's strain. That is another reason why so many people contract the Flu anyway. Another factor to consider is if your child has any allergy towards eggs you might want to make sure that you talk with your doctor about it. Some children have had horrible side-effects... including death due to allergic reactions to the vaccine.
I urge you (especially if you are pregnant) to read the following pamphlet. If you can't just click on the link just copy and paste and it will take you to the pdf formatted pamphlet online. It is full of good information and cautions about the flu vaccine: http://www.safeminds.org/alert-flu-vaccine-2008.pdf
Here are some of the highlights:
1) In March 2001, the FDA issued a statement warning pregnant women and young children not to eat fish containing high levels of mercury because it causes neurological problems in children.
2) SafeMinds is deeply concerned that the risks of mercury-containing flu shots outweigh the benefits in pregnant women and young children.
3)**The pamphlet quotes package inserts of some popular brands of vaccines and shows the precautions and lack of evidence of safety... This is very disconcerting especially when you look at the carcinogenic and mutagenic factors.
4) EPA estimates that one in six women has levels of mercury in their bodies that could cause harm to their unborn children.
5) Simple techniques such as avoiding those with flu-like illnesses and good handwashing can prevent many cases of the flu.
The main point I want to make is to be informed. Don't let the doctors tell you that mercury is okay in small amounts. It's not! Don't let them tell you that it's okay to get shots that contain mercury when you're pregnant. It's not! Don't let them tell you that there is no proof.... because I am here to tell you that there is! Speak up and insist on a vaccine that does not have mercury. They are available now. If you don't take MY word for it, just look it up online. You will amazed at what you find... I sure was.
**************************************
Protecting those who are not born is
paramount to protecting those who are
already here. They are the future and
our hope.
**************************************
First, the Flu Vaccine DOES contain thimerosal (mercury-based preservative). I even found negative information concerning the FluMist vaccine. In the section of the FluMist package insert labeled "PRECAUTIONS," the manufacturer states the following warning: "FluMist® recipients should avoid close contact with immunocompromised individuals for at least 21 days."
The warning is specifically directed toward those living in the same household with an immunocompromised person, but the on-going release of live viruses throughout the community may be a significant risk to everyone who has a weak, or weakened, immune system. I thought that was interesting considering that "immunocompromised" individuals include the elderly and infants, who ironically cannot receive the FluMist vaccine.
The way they make the Flu vaccine is another thing to consider. They don't make the vaccine for the strain that is going around THIS year.... they use LAST year's strain. That is another reason why so many people contract the Flu anyway. Another factor to consider is if your child has any allergy towards eggs you might want to make sure that you talk with your doctor about it. Some children have had horrible side-effects... including death due to allergic reactions to the vaccine.
I urge you (especially if you are pregnant) to read the following pamphlet. If you can't just click on the link just copy and paste and it will take you to the pdf formatted pamphlet online. It is full of good information and cautions about the flu vaccine: http://www.safeminds.org/alert-flu-vaccine-2008.pdf
Here are some of the highlights:
1) In March 2001, the FDA issued a statement warning pregnant women and young children not to eat fish containing high levels of mercury because it causes neurological problems in children.
2) SafeMinds is deeply concerned that the risks of mercury-containing flu shots outweigh the benefits in pregnant women and young children.
3)**The pamphlet quotes package inserts of some popular brands of vaccines and shows the precautions and lack of evidence of safety... This is very disconcerting especially when you look at the carcinogenic and mutagenic factors.
4) EPA estimates that one in six women has levels of mercury in their bodies that could cause harm to their unborn children.
5) Simple techniques such as avoiding those with flu-like illnesses and good handwashing can prevent many cases of the flu.
The main point I want to make is to be informed. Don't let the doctors tell you that mercury is okay in small amounts. It's not! Don't let them tell you that it's okay to get shots that contain mercury when you're pregnant. It's not! Don't let them tell you that there is no proof.... because I am here to tell you that there is! Speak up and insist on a vaccine that does not have mercury. They are available now. If you don't take MY word for it, just look it up online. You will amazed at what you find... I sure was.
**************************************
Protecting those who are not born is
paramount to protecting those who are
already here. They are the future and
our hope.
**************************************
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Strange Behavior....What does it mean?
Those of you who have children in the autism spectrum are quite familiar with the odd behavior and outright insanity of some of the things your kids do. This post was to share some of those experiences and hopefully shed some light as to why they do those things.
When my #2 was a toddler he had an obsession with poop. It was so gross! I thought I would never get rid of the smell in the house, on the bed, or on ME. I remember how horrible I was to him. I would spank him on a regular basis. I thought I was going to lose my mind. The worst day was when my husband and I were downstairs watching television and we smelled the poop from his room upstairs. I was afraid to open the door to his room because I could smell the concentrated aroma. When I opened the door it looked like a horror show. There was poop all over. I looked up and there was even some on the ceiling. The worst part of it all was the poop all over his face and hair. The smell of poop came out of his mouth in his breath so I believe he even ate some of it. Needless to say, I cried a lot that night.
Why did he do this? Well...I know very well that a lot of "normal" kids go through this as well. However, I read that in some children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) they have low zinc. Zinc evidently plays an important role in a person's sense of smell and taste. Unfortunately, we had no clue at this point that anything was wrong with him and so we didn't know to test him for it. Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it? Zinc supplements may have helped. We had to endure his poop fetish for months!!! To this day, we still have issues with him. I need to get his zinc tested. It is like he doesn't smell it. He will have poop in his underwear and it will dry up and smell like something died in his pants. It doesn't even bother him! Unfortunately, I have a smelling deficit myself due to a viral infection I acquired years ago that damaged my olfactory nerves. That means that the smell has to be VERY strong for me to smell it. Lucky me! :)
OCD tendencies are also a big challenge to deal with. My #2 has had some very interesting ones. At one time he had to "check his privates" every chance he got. His hand was always inside his pants. I thought perhaps his underwear was too tight so I changed it. That didn't do the trick. It was embarrassing when he did it in public because he was a seven year-old boy and I could only imagine what people were thinking. There was nothing sexual in nature about his actions. As a matter of fact, I asked him why he was doing it and he said he just had to check it. He didn't even realize he was doing it half the time. I had to constantly remind him to take his hands out of his pants. He finally stopped doing it recently and I am so thankful. Of course, it was short-lived because right now he is doing a weird thing. He will touch his tongue and then smell his fingers. He does it all the time. I try and remind him that his hands are dirty and he doesn't need to be putting them into his mouth. I hope this one passes soon.
I have done research on OCD and it is due to the heightened senses in these children. Their senses are overwhelmed most of the time. However, you often see children immerse themselves in their environment. For example, it's not rare for my child who is eight now to not only smell something but also try and taste it. It's a primal behavior and kind of a survival mechanism. He still has issues with noise and/or sounds. At church he will often have to leave during singing time. It is getting better, but I can tell he gets very restless when the children get loud. It is overwhelming for him at times. I never noticed it until his teacher told me. The one thing that has helped is his ability to communicate. He can actually tell me when something is bothering him. That is truly priceless.
Things start to make sense when you think about the behavior as a reaction to a stimulus. This is when it becomes critical to find out which stimuli cause the behavior problems. In some children it might be smells. In other children it might be noise. Either way, it is important to realize that these children see, feel, and experience the world in a total different way than we do. We can't even begin to comprehend what it must be like. However, if we are lucky we will find ourselves looking at the world through their eyes. We might even find beauty in something that is often overlooked. There is definitely nothing "strange" about that.
*******************************
The truth is sometimes stranger
than fiction.
*******************************
When my #2 was a toddler he had an obsession with poop. It was so gross! I thought I would never get rid of the smell in the house, on the bed, or on ME. I remember how horrible I was to him. I would spank him on a regular basis. I thought I was going to lose my mind. The worst day was when my husband and I were downstairs watching television and we smelled the poop from his room upstairs. I was afraid to open the door to his room because I could smell the concentrated aroma. When I opened the door it looked like a horror show. There was poop all over. I looked up and there was even some on the ceiling. The worst part of it all was the poop all over his face and hair. The smell of poop came out of his mouth in his breath so I believe he even ate some of it. Needless to say, I cried a lot that night.
Why did he do this? Well...I know very well that a lot of "normal" kids go through this as well. However, I read that in some children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) they have low zinc. Zinc evidently plays an important role in a person's sense of smell and taste. Unfortunately, we had no clue at this point that anything was wrong with him and so we didn't know to test him for it. Hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it? Zinc supplements may have helped. We had to endure his poop fetish for months!!! To this day, we still have issues with him. I need to get his zinc tested. It is like he doesn't smell it. He will have poop in his underwear and it will dry up and smell like something died in his pants. It doesn't even bother him! Unfortunately, I have a smelling deficit myself due to a viral infection I acquired years ago that damaged my olfactory nerves. That means that the smell has to be VERY strong for me to smell it. Lucky me! :)
OCD tendencies are also a big challenge to deal with. My #2 has had some very interesting ones. At one time he had to "check his privates" every chance he got. His hand was always inside his pants. I thought perhaps his underwear was too tight so I changed it. That didn't do the trick. It was embarrassing when he did it in public because he was a seven year-old boy and I could only imagine what people were thinking. There was nothing sexual in nature about his actions. As a matter of fact, I asked him why he was doing it and he said he just had to check it. He didn't even realize he was doing it half the time. I had to constantly remind him to take his hands out of his pants. He finally stopped doing it recently and I am so thankful. Of course, it was short-lived because right now he is doing a weird thing. He will touch his tongue and then smell his fingers. He does it all the time. I try and remind him that his hands are dirty and he doesn't need to be putting them into his mouth. I hope this one passes soon.
I have done research on OCD and it is due to the heightened senses in these children. Their senses are overwhelmed most of the time. However, you often see children immerse themselves in their environment. For example, it's not rare for my child who is eight now to not only smell something but also try and taste it. It's a primal behavior and kind of a survival mechanism. He still has issues with noise and/or sounds. At church he will often have to leave during singing time. It is getting better, but I can tell he gets very restless when the children get loud. It is overwhelming for him at times. I never noticed it until his teacher told me. The one thing that has helped is his ability to communicate. He can actually tell me when something is bothering him. That is truly priceless.
Things start to make sense when you think about the behavior as a reaction to a stimulus. This is when it becomes critical to find out which stimuli cause the behavior problems. In some children it might be smells. In other children it might be noise. Either way, it is important to realize that these children see, feel, and experience the world in a total different way than we do. We can't even begin to comprehend what it must be like. However, if we are lucky we will find ourselves looking at the world through their eyes. We might even find beauty in something that is often overlooked. There is definitely nothing "strange" about that.
*******************************
The truth is sometimes stranger
than fiction.
*******************************
Sunday, November 16, 2008
An Amazing Movie Everyone Should See
My husband and I had the wonderful opportunity of watching a movie entitled "How Difficult Can This Be?" by Richard Lavoie. It was shown at our children's school and it was amazing!! It is a movie that ALL people should see. It takes you through the frustrations and anxiety that learning disabled children experience every day. It definitely opened our eyes and I am sure it will yours. The following is a link to the movie and information on the workshop. I am sure you can probably find it somewhere for cheaper, but I thought this link had a good description:
http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-richard-lavoie-how-difficult-can-this-be-fat-city-a--pi-1863454.html
I thought it was important for me to explain why I felt everyone should see this, especially teachers. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to being "Learning Disabled". The definition is: A childhood disorder characterized by difficulty with certain skills such as reading or writing in individuals with normal intelligence. Learning disorders affect the ability to interpret what one sees and hears or the ability to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways -- as specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self-control, or attention. Such difficulties extend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read or write, or to do math.
The big point to remember is that children with learning disabilities are not dumb. They are not "Mentally Retarded"... they just have to work a little harder than other kids. Case and point...my oldest is our little genius, but his ADHD definitely interferes with many aspects of learning and social skills. He just has to work a little harder to make friends and to concentrate in class. It's amazing how he is able to compensate. Most people would not even notice these days.
Of course, the term "Learning Disabled" is not used very much these days due to the enormous numbers of diagnosis labels given to children. ADD/ADHD, Autism, PDD, and Dyslexia, are just a few among those labels. In the broad scheme of things a learning disability just means that there are no environmental factors, mental retardation, or lack of experience to account for difficulty in learning. That basically sums it up.
One of the lessons we learned from the movie was that people who are learning disabled are shaped into what they become by the way they are treated... especially in classroom settings. For example, in the workshop they showed how teachers will often call on students to answer a question and then only call attention to wrong answers given versus the correct ones. This often leads to children not wanting to ever answer a question and dreading to be called upon. Also, it can lead to adults who are afraid to ever take chances. That's not good since you can never succeed in life unless you take a chance once in a while.
Another thing we learned is that it is important for people to realize how difficult ordinary things can become to these special children. Richard Lavoie had the people do an exercise where they had to tell a story and they couldn't use any words with the letter "N" in them. It was very difficult and the participants sounded very much like learning disabled children. The key to understanding a disability is to put yourself in those shoes, even if for a moment. I was able to put myself in those shoes and see what it was like. For a brief moment I had a "light bulb" moment where I started to understand some of my #2's challenges. I am sure you all have had the experience of listening to a child tell a story and they stutter and/or fail to think of words and in your mind you wish that they would just hurry up and finish already because you are tired or frustrated with them. Well... imagine the opposite... imagine that you are trying to tell another person a story and in your mind you can think of the words you want to say, but they just won't come out of your mouth. Your frustration and anxiety just rise and rise until you cannot stand it anymore, and you just decide it's not worth it anymore and just quit talking. That's pretty much one of the many things that Mr. Lavoie tries to simulate in his workshop.
I would have to write a book to summarize half of what this movie covers. I strongly suggest you look into it and find out when Richard Lavoie is doing a workshop/seminar in your area. He would definitely be worth seeing in person. It is amazing the insight he offers and the amount of information you obtain in such a short period of time. I learned more in the 1 1/2 hours of his workshop than I could have learned in years!
**********************
A picture is worth a
thousand words.... but
to walk in someone
else's footsteps....
that's priceless!
**********************
http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-richard-lavoie-how-difficult-can-this-be-fat-city-a--pi-1863454.html
I thought it was important for me to explain why I felt everyone should see this, especially teachers. There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to being "Learning Disabled". The definition is: A childhood disorder characterized by difficulty with certain skills such as reading or writing in individuals with normal intelligence. Learning disorders affect the ability to interpret what one sees and hears or the ability to link information from different parts of the brain. These limitations can show up in many ways -- as specific difficulties with spoken and written language, coordination, self-control, or attention. Such difficulties extend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read or write, or to do math.
The big point to remember is that children with learning disabilities are not dumb. They are not "Mentally Retarded"... they just have to work a little harder than other kids. Case and point...my oldest is our little genius, but his ADHD definitely interferes with many aspects of learning and social skills. He just has to work a little harder to make friends and to concentrate in class. It's amazing how he is able to compensate. Most people would not even notice these days.
Of course, the term "Learning Disabled" is not used very much these days due to the enormous numbers of diagnosis labels given to children. ADD/ADHD, Autism, PDD, and Dyslexia, are just a few among those labels. In the broad scheme of things a learning disability just means that there are no environmental factors, mental retardation, or lack of experience to account for difficulty in learning. That basically sums it up.
One of the lessons we learned from the movie was that people who are learning disabled are shaped into what they become by the way they are treated... especially in classroom settings. For example, in the workshop they showed how teachers will often call on students to answer a question and then only call attention to wrong answers given versus the correct ones. This often leads to children not wanting to ever answer a question and dreading to be called upon. Also, it can lead to adults who are afraid to ever take chances. That's not good since you can never succeed in life unless you take a chance once in a while.
Another thing we learned is that it is important for people to realize how difficult ordinary things can become to these special children. Richard Lavoie had the people do an exercise where they had to tell a story and they couldn't use any words with the letter "N" in them. It was very difficult and the participants sounded very much like learning disabled children. The key to understanding a disability is to put yourself in those shoes, even if for a moment. I was able to put myself in those shoes and see what it was like. For a brief moment I had a "light bulb" moment where I started to understand some of my #2's challenges. I am sure you all have had the experience of listening to a child tell a story and they stutter and/or fail to think of words and in your mind you wish that they would just hurry up and finish already because you are tired or frustrated with them. Well... imagine the opposite... imagine that you are trying to tell another person a story and in your mind you can think of the words you want to say, but they just won't come out of your mouth. Your frustration and anxiety just rise and rise until you cannot stand it anymore, and you just decide it's not worth it anymore and just quit talking. That's pretty much one of the many things that Mr. Lavoie tries to simulate in his workshop.
I would have to write a book to summarize half of what this movie covers. I strongly suggest you look into it and find out when Richard Lavoie is doing a workshop/seminar in your area. He would definitely be worth seeing in person. It is amazing the insight he offers and the amount of information you obtain in such a short period of time. I learned more in the 1 1/2 hours of his workshop than I could have learned in years!
**********************
A picture is worth a
thousand words.... but
to walk in someone
else's footsteps....
that's priceless!
**********************
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Window of Opportunity
Time sure flies when you're having fun. It also flies when you're not...doesn't it? Either way, you look back and realize that your kids are growing up before your eyes and there is nothing that you can do to turn back the clock. The most important lesson I have learned is that there is no time like the present. You can either sit back and wish things to be, or you can do something about it. When it comes to raising kids that could not be more true. It is especially true when it comes to dealing with children with issues.
There is a window of opportunity to most things. The first thing I think of is discipline. How many kids have I seen who hit their moms and they are not reprimanded! What about babies who throw tantrums or hit and their parents just shrug their shoulders? Little problems like these turn into much bigger problems when they are older. Children with ADHD or Autism require a much more structured environment and consistent discipline. They cannot be taught that their challenge can be used as an excuse. They learn this early on. Treating them like any other normal child is the best way to love them. They will learn to respect you and others in the long-run.
Another window of opportunity occurs with therapy/treatment. You can't wait until the child is five before treating things like ADHD or Autism. Treatment doesn't have to involve drugs either. Learning how to deal with situations and having a "game plan" is vital. My husband and I read tons of books and talked with professionals about different methods and ways of dealing with these issues. However, experience has taught us that "professionals" don't always know what is best for your child. You need to use your gut instincts and common sense. If you know your child is having trouble or difficulties and the "professionals" are trying to tell you that you need to wait or "just give them time" and re-evaluate.... don't miss out on that "window" and do something NOW! Sometimes you need the time to figure out what is happening with your child. For example, it took us years to figure out what was happening with our daughter. If we would have waited or done nothing then the outcome could have been detrimental.
A very important "window" occurs in diagnosis. Sometimes if your child is not diagnosed properly or if it takes too long then the symptoms can worsen. You might end up with another problem. This is when children are misdiagnosed and then given unnecessary drugs. I see it happen all the time. I am so thankful that we were aggressive in finding out what was happening with our daughter. When I went online I read so many stories of people who were misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or other mental diseases because of advanced stages of Wilson's Disease. The symptoms mimic other conditions. Also, in my older children I think that taking action early on helped them cope with the challenges of school and other social settings. We were able to teach them social skills and other vital lessons that they will need for the rest of their lives.
I see these opportunities as a blessing. We are given the tools and knowledge to use in making such judgments concerning our children. It's important to remember that we are their advocates. It's up to us to make sure that they are healthy, happy, and safe. Remember that years go by so quickly. My oldest is already twelve years old and I just can't believe it! One day I will see him a grown man with a family of his own. It's up to me and my husband to make sure that we take advantage of these windows of opportunity in their lives to teach them and to guide them. It's up to us to make sure that we are proactive in finding out what their strengths and weaknesses are so that we can better prepare them for life. We may not be professionals in psychology or medicine, but we are "professionals" in our own right. We have an obligation to use those skills and education we have acquired to be the best parents that we can possibly be.
****************************
There is a window of opportunity to most things. The first thing I think of is discipline. How many kids have I seen who hit their moms and they are not reprimanded! What about babies who throw tantrums or hit and their parents just shrug their shoulders? Little problems like these turn into much bigger problems when they are older. Children with ADHD or Autism require a much more structured environment and consistent discipline. They cannot be taught that their challenge can be used as an excuse. They learn this early on. Treating them like any other normal child is the best way to love them. They will learn to respect you and others in the long-run.
Another window of opportunity occurs with therapy/treatment. You can't wait until the child is five before treating things like ADHD or Autism. Treatment doesn't have to involve drugs either. Learning how to deal with situations and having a "game plan" is vital. My husband and I read tons of books and talked with professionals about different methods and ways of dealing with these issues. However, experience has taught us that "professionals" don't always know what is best for your child. You need to use your gut instincts and common sense. If you know your child is having trouble or difficulties and the "professionals" are trying to tell you that you need to wait or "just give them time" and re-evaluate.... don't miss out on that "window" and do something NOW! Sometimes you need the time to figure out what is happening with your child. For example, it took us years to figure out what was happening with our daughter. If we would have waited or done nothing then the outcome could have been detrimental.
A very important "window" occurs in diagnosis. Sometimes if your child is not diagnosed properly or if it takes too long then the symptoms can worsen. You might end up with another problem. This is when children are misdiagnosed and then given unnecessary drugs. I see it happen all the time. I am so thankful that we were aggressive in finding out what was happening with our daughter. When I went online I read so many stories of people who were misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or other mental diseases because of advanced stages of Wilson's Disease. The symptoms mimic other conditions. Also, in my older children I think that taking action early on helped them cope with the challenges of school and other social settings. We were able to teach them social skills and other vital lessons that they will need for the rest of their lives.
I see these opportunities as a blessing. We are given the tools and knowledge to use in making such judgments concerning our children. It's important to remember that we are their advocates. It's up to us to make sure that they are healthy, happy, and safe. Remember that years go by so quickly. My oldest is already twelve years old and I just can't believe it! One day I will see him a grown man with a family of his own. It's up to me and my husband to make sure that we take advantage of these windows of opportunity in their lives to teach them and to guide them. It's up to us to make sure that we are proactive in finding out what their strengths and weaknesses are so that we can better prepare them for life. We may not be professionals in psychology or medicine, but we are "professionals" in our own right. We have an obligation to use those skills and education we have acquired to be the best parents that we can possibly be.
****************************
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Got Time?
Being a full-time mommy of four children can be very overwhelming. There are days when I don't remember if I even took a shower or not. However, I am learning the art of time management and delegation. Those are the secrets to a happy home. What prompted me to post this was I've had a couple of friends ask me how I do it with such a large family. (They have no clue that I actually have a small family compared to some of my friends and most of the LDS population.) I thought I would share some of my "secrets" for saving time, money, and most importantly..... your sanity.
I have been a pack rat for most of my life. I have trouble throwing away things. I think it stems from being a military brat and moving so much during my childhood. You tend to get attached to stuff since that's the only consistency in your life. However, I have learned how to manage SOME of that in my life. In turn, it has saved me a lot of time in the long-run. For example, I used to keep little pieces of paper or envelopes or whatever had notes on it and it got out of hand. I purchased a little miniature spiral notebook and I write down phone numbers, addresses, contact information, etc... and I have divided the information into categories. Now, when I want to keep a number or contact I just write it into my notebook and throw away the business card or piece of paper. Also, when I want to look up the information it's right there and I don't waste valuable time sorting through business cards, etc.... It's great!!!
Another thing I have done is purchase a cork board and a dry-erase board. I have them mounted on the wall right by the back door. I call it my "brain" and I use it on a daily basis. I put important hand-outs from school pinned on the cork board. I also have calendars to help me keep up with different schedules, etc... On my dry-erase board I have a monthly calendar that I keep updated. I use a color-coded system to keep track of my children's activities and meetings. I don't know what I ever did before I used the boards. I save so much time because I just look at my day the night before and I have it all planned out. I can also refer to it when I make appointments and I don't have to worry about missing out on anything. It has literally transformed my life.
When you have a large family to feed one of the biggest issues is what's for dinner? Well.... I have the neatest group of friends and we have joined together and formed a Frozen Food Swap group. It's great! We get together once a month and we literally swap food. This is how it works: let's say you have eight people in your group.... You make 8 identical meals (and we have set up some guidelines such as it needs to have at least 6 servings, include two pounds of protein, etc...) and you show up with 7 at the swap already prepared, packaged, and frozen (because you keep the 8th for yourself), and you leave with 7 different frozen meals that you can heat up anytime you need. It has saved me a ton of money, time, and my family just LOVES the meals. We try and plan the meals ahead of time. We discuss ideas of what we want to make the month prior and decide as a group what each of us will make. The neat thing is that you are limited only by your imagination. There are literally thousands of freezer meals recipes online. We also have some wonderful cooks in our group so it works out for us. I try and save the meals for when I don't feel like cooking or on Sunday so I don't have to cook. Most of the meals last for two days and so I have plenty of carry-over from month to month. If you haven't tried it, you should. It's definitely worth it for me.
Delegate! Delegate! Delegate! I cannot stress that enough. It doesn't matter if you only have one or two kids... take it from me... start now! I made the mistake of trying to be the "super mom" to my kids. It does them NO justice. They need to learn how to clean and be a part of a household. The boys need to learn just as much as the girls. My boys scrub toilets, do the dishes, and help with laundry. They vacuum, mop, sweep floors, and help with dusting. There is nothing they can't do. Of course, I am just as guilty as anyone else about trying to do too much by myself. The other day my two-year old took ALL the books off the bookshelf and I got so upset with him. My first instinct was to put the books back into the bookshelf. However, I reprimanded him and then asked HIM to clean it up. Can you believe he did it? All by himself! Now I know that he can do it in the future and that he understands. How does this save time? Imagine all the things you could do if your children help you? It should be a team effort. You are a family and everyone should contribute their fair share.
Know when to call the pros. That's a tough one. I am very frugal and hate to waste money. I try to do things myself when I can, but sometimes I just have to throw in the towel. When school started I thought I would have a lot of free time. I was going to have all the kids in school for most of the week and so I had all these dreams of what I could accomplish while they were gone. Little did I know that I would be more involved with school than ever!! I have tons of field trips, parties, classroom projects, and activities to help with. The work is never done. I also volunteer at the schools and that takes up a few hours a week. Needless to say, my plans had to change. I started to paint my walls and only got halfway finished. You can actually see the line where I couldn't reach anymore. It's sad, actually. So... my husband and I have decided to hire a good friend of ours from church to help us finish the long list of projects and maintenance that we need to do. There is no shame in asking for help. It's truly a win-win situation because we are helping our friend by giving him the business, and he is going to help us maintain our beautiful home. In the end, it will save me time and I will be able to spend the limited time I DO have being involved in my children's school... which is truly priceless.
Last, but definitely not least, learn how to say "no". This is one of those things I am working on. When you try to please everybody else then you and your family are going to feel the consequences. If someone gets upset at you because you don't have the time or can't do it then THEY are the ones with the problem... not you! A true friend will understand and not make you feel bad. This is when it is necessary to prioritize your life. Make sure that you put your family, your marriage, and your values at the top. If something can compromise any of those things, then respectfully decline. It's not hard. The first time you say "no" it's kind of hard and you feel like apologizing and giving excuses... but it gets easier. Again, I am not saying that I am a "pro" at this, but I am getting better at it. I actually made it my New Year's resolution for this year. I have found that I am less stressed and that I have more time. My husband tried to tell me, but I wouldn't listen. I am so glad that I finally did.
You can't literally add hours to your 24-hour day, but you can give yourself more time. Start keeping track of wasted time. For example, I used to spend between 4-6 hours a day MINIMUM watching television!! I didn't realize it. This was my usual line-up: News/Morning Show (1 hr), People's Court (1 hr), Oprah (1 hr), Reality Shows (2 hrs), Late Night Shows (2 hrs). Well... we purchased a DVR. It is a digital video recorder. You can program your shows and watch them later. I love it because I can fast forward through all the commercials. I never realized how much time is wasted watching commercials!! The added bonus is that it records live t.v. and so if you are interrupted then you can rewind and watch what you missed, or else record what you are watching and see it later. Needless to say, I don't watch as much television. I have a handful of shows that I pre-record and I watch them with my husband. I fold clothes and work on projects while I watch those shows. I feel like I am multi-tasking. I also LOVE to do my abdominal work-outs during the shows as well. (Can't say I don't have time to do it anymore!)
I hope some of the information is useful to you. It's amazing how much time we waste. Figure out where it's going and you will find time to do things you enjoy. With all the things I have to do, I still find time to go out with friends, scrapbook, AND work on this blog. If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!! Try it and see.
*********************************
Time is what prevents everything
from happening at once.
~John Archibald Wheeler
*********************************
I have been a pack rat for most of my life. I have trouble throwing away things. I think it stems from being a military brat and moving so much during my childhood. You tend to get attached to stuff since that's the only consistency in your life. However, I have learned how to manage SOME of that in my life. In turn, it has saved me a lot of time in the long-run. For example, I used to keep little pieces of paper or envelopes or whatever had notes on it and it got out of hand. I purchased a little miniature spiral notebook and I write down phone numbers, addresses, contact information, etc... and I have divided the information into categories. Now, when I want to keep a number or contact I just write it into my notebook and throw away the business card or piece of paper. Also, when I want to look up the information it's right there and I don't waste valuable time sorting through business cards, etc.... It's great!!!
Another thing I have done is purchase a cork board and a dry-erase board. I have them mounted on the wall right by the back door. I call it my "brain" and I use it on a daily basis. I put important hand-outs from school pinned on the cork board. I also have calendars to help me keep up with different schedules, etc... On my dry-erase board I have a monthly calendar that I keep updated. I use a color-coded system to keep track of my children's activities and meetings. I don't know what I ever did before I used the boards. I save so much time because I just look at my day the night before and I have it all planned out. I can also refer to it when I make appointments and I don't have to worry about missing out on anything. It has literally transformed my life.
When you have a large family to feed one of the biggest issues is what's for dinner? Well.... I have the neatest group of friends and we have joined together and formed a Frozen Food Swap group. It's great! We get together once a month and we literally swap food. This is how it works: let's say you have eight people in your group.... You make 8 identical meals (and we have set up some guidelines such as it needs to have at least 6 servings, include two pounds of protein, etc...) and you show up with 7 at the swap already prepared, packaged, and frozen (because you keep the 8th for yourself), and you leave with 7 different frozen meals that you can heat up anytime you need. It has saved me a ton of money, time, and my family just LOVES the meals. We try and plan the meals ahead of time. We discuss ideas of what we want to make the month prior and decide as a group what each of us will make. The neat thing is that you are limited only by your imagination. There are literally thousands of freezer meals recipes online. We also have some wonderful cooks in our group so it works out for us. I try and save the meals for when I don't feel like cooking or on Sunday so I don't have to cook. Most of the meals last for two days and so I have plenty of carry-over from month to month. If you haven't tried it, you should. It's definitely worth it for me.
Delegate! Delegate! Delegate! I cannot stress that enough. It doesn't matter if you only have one or two kids... take it from me... start now! I made the mistake of trying to be the "super mom" to my kids. It does them NO justice. They need to learn how to clean and be a part of a household. The boys need to learn just as much as the girls. My boys scrub toilets, do the dishes, and help with laundry. They vacuum, mop, sweep floors, and help with dusting. There is nothing they can't do. Of course, I am just as guilty as anyone else about trying to do too much by myself. The other day my two-year old took ALL the books off the bookshelf and I got so upset with him. My first instinct was to put the books back into the bookshelf. However, I reprimanded him and then asked HIM to clean it up. Can you believe he did it? All by himself! Now I know that he can do it in the future and that he understands. How does this save time? Imagine all the things you could do if your children help you? It should be a team effort. You are a family and everyone should contribute their fair share.
Know when to call the pros. That's a tough one. I am very frugal and hate to waste money. I try to do things myself when I can, but sometimes I just have to throw in the towel. When school started I thought I would have a lot of free time. I was going to have all the kids in school for most of the week and so I had all these dreams of what I could accomplish while they were gone. Little did I know that I would be more involved with school than ever!! I have tons of field trips, parties, classroom projects, and activities to help with. The work is never done. I also volunteer at the schools and that takes up a few hours a week. Needless to say, my plans had to change. I started to paint my walls and only got halfway finished. You can actually see the line where I couldn't reach anymore. It's sad, actually. So... my husband and I have decided to hire a good friend of ours from church to help us finish the long list of projects and maintenance that we need to do. There is no shame in asking for help. It's truly a win-win situation because we are helping our friend by giving him the business, and he is going to help us maintain our beautiful home. In the end, it will save me time and I will be able to spend the limited time I DO have being involved in my children's school... which is truly priceless.
Last, but definitely not least, learn how to say "no". This is one of those things I am working on. When you try to please everybody else then you and your family are going to feel the consequences. If someone gets upset at you because you don't have the time or can't do it then THEY are the ones with the problem... not you! A true friend will understand and not make you feel bad. This is when it is necessary to prioritize your life. Make sure that you put your family, your marriage, and your values at the top. If something can compromise any of those things, then respectfully decline. It's not hard. The first time you say "no" it's kind of hard and you feel like apologizing and giving excuses... but it gets easier. Again, I am not saying that I am a "pro" at this, but I am getting better at it. I actually made it my New Year's resolution for this year. I have found that I am less stressed and that I have more time. My husband tried to tell me, but I wouldn't listen. I am so glad that I finally did.
You can't literally add hours to your 24-hour day, but you can give yourself more time. Start keeping track of wasted time. For example, I used to spend between 4-6 hours a day MINIMUM watching television!! I didn't realize it. This was my usual line-up: News/Morning Show (1 hr), People's Court (1 hr), Oprah (1 hr), Reality Shows (2 hrs), Late Night Shows (2 hrs). Well... we purchased a DVR. It is a digital video recorder. You can program your shows and watch them later. I love it because I can fast forward through all the commercials. I never realized how much time is wasted watching commercials!! The added bonus is that it records live t.v. and so if you are interrupted then you can rewind and watch what you missed, or else record what you are watching and see it later. Needless to say, I don't watch as much television. I have a handful of shows that I pre-record and I watch them with my husband. I fold clothes and work on projects while I watch those shows. I feel like I am multi-tasking. I also LOVE to do my abdominal work-outs during the shows as well. (Can't say I don't have time to do it anymore!)
I hope some of the information is useful to you. It's amazing how much time we waste. Figure out where it's going and you will find time to do things you enjoy. With all the things I have to do, I still find time to go out with friends, scrapbook, AND work on this blog. If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!! Try it and see.
*********************************
Time is what prevents everything
from happening at once.
~John Archibald Wheeler
*********************************
Monday, October 27, 2008
Speech Delay Doesn't Always Mean Autism
This post is to help relieve some of the paranoia associated with speech delay. Just because your child is delayed in speech, it does not mean that they are either mentally retarded or that they have autism.
Everyone is familiar with the story of Albert Einstein. He had speech delays and problems as a child. He also almost flunked out of school because he was interested in only math and not the other subjects. It's important to put things in perspective. You have to look at the entire child and not just one aspect. The biggest issue I have with some parents and society as a whole is that they expect kids to excel in ALL areas. This is an unfair expectation. Not all of us excel at everything. It's part of what makes this world an interesting place.
When my oldest was three and still could not speak in sentences I was so worried. He barely could communicate and it was so frustrating. I ended up taking him to a Speech Therapy clinic and paid a LOT of money. Unfortunately, I did not know about Early Intervention Services and so I missed out on the opportunity. It is so important to find out what is available in your area. There are numerous services available and usually it is not only for low-income families.
Let me explain what speech therapy is all about. Many people are under the impression that it is only about sounds and being able to physically talk. However, this is only a small part of it. In speech therapy they teach how to communicate. They teach concepts and how to follow directions. Depending on the age of the child, they work on their weaknesses and help develop the confidence needed for success in school. If they are a good speech therapist you will find that they will also teach you things you can do at home to help your child. They are full of information and tips that can supplement the sessions. Some of the tips I was given were: 1) make your child at least attempt to speak before giving them what they want, 2) praise your child if they make ANY attempt to talk, 3) at a young age you can teach them sign language and animal sounds, 4) use descriptive words and don't use "baby talk" when speaking to your child. Those were just a handful of suggestions I received. Don't be afraid to test you child. It's better to know and the earlier the better.
What are the warning signs that you should look out for? How do you know if they are just "late bloomers" or if they truly have a problem. The biggest indicator for me was the "frustration meter". If a child is getting frustrated and anxious because they can't communicate then you need to take action. Sometimes it is so hard to tell the difference between a child who is just stubborn or lazy and doesn't want to talk, versus a child who truly cannot communicate their needs or wants. I was hoping with each of my children that they would somehow catch up on their own and that I wouldn't need to intervene. However, my oldest three required intervention and they all were ready by the time they entered school.
I am struggling right now with my two year old because he is so stubborn. Of course, since all my children have required speech therapy, I almost expect him to need it too. I wish I knew what to do. I just don't want to be paranoid and not to mention that the process is something that takes a lot of time and effort. One of the hardest things for me is that he is so far advanced compared to my other three kids. He has been tested for milestones (which includes speech) at his school and they said he is doing great. My gut tells me that he is fine, but my mind keeps worrying. This is when I am reminded about how healing this blog is for me. I don't pretend to know all the answers. I just hope to share my journey with you, and if our roads meet at some points along the way then we can compare notes.
Keeping a watchful eye on your child's development is crucial. It is also a good thing to have others help you in the process. Sometimes other people, especially teachers, might notice something that you had not thought of. So far, I have not noticed my two year-old to be delayed enough to have him tested. I just know (from experience) that he wouldn't qualify for the Early Intervention Program because he is not delayed enough. They recently lowered the standards (which is definitely not a good thing). He has a great vocabulary (too many words to count)and he can follow directions. He also is doing great at school and so that reassures me that he is doing okay for now. At his school they test for developmental milestones and he has either met or exceeded all areas. I continue to track his progress through checklists and milestone information. This is a great one I found recently and it's in PDF format so you can print it off if you'd like: http://www.deforest.k12.wi.us/files/EPES%20PDFs/Sue%20Miller%20pdfs/SLP_Brochure_small.pdf
Keep in mind that the sites that are geared towards advertising for speech therapy services will have more stringent and expanded lists. It's been my experience that the simpler the list, the better to keep track of. I will definitely keep you updated on my baby's progress as time goes on.
It's important to know the warning signs to look out for. Some of the warning signs that I noticed with my own children were: they cannot follow simple directions, they seem as if they don't hear you, they don't respond to their name being called, they don't know the names of members of their family, their vocabulary is very low or else they just repeat words when they hear them,they have problems playing with kids their age because of the communication deficit, and lastly you (the parent) cannot understand your child most of the time. That last one is a big tip-off. If YOU can't understand your child, then you know that others cannot understand him. That is crucial in school, social settings, and life in general.
Speech delay often leads to social delays. That is why I wanted to post this. A lot of parents worry about autism at this point. There are many factors that you have to look at in order to consider autism. It's not just a simple speech deficit. If only it were that easy! Think about this... if you cannot communicate then you can't learn to share, make friends, take turns, or learn vital social skills. If left untreated, a child who can't communicate will often suffer from depression, low self-esteem, and have many other problems. It's a vicious cycle. My advice is to get your child tested if you suspect they have speech delays. One thing I have been advised to do is check their hearing as well. Sometimes they might have fluid in the ear and that could muffle sounds and make it difficult for them to hear. Also, there are numerous websites that offer screening tools for parents. Here is a good one I found (just click on the appropriate age): http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/speechandlanguage.asp#mychild
Believe me, I understand your concern when it comes to testing and such. I also know the stress involved in having to take your child and the hours of waiting and dealing with siblings. It's just better to know and have the reassurance. I've had people ask me, "how do you know that they wouldn't have just learned to speak eventually anyway?" Well... my answer is that I DON'T know for sure, but I DO know that if it weren't for speech therapy I wouldn't have found out my daughter had Wilson's Disease and that my #2 had PDD. That in itself was worth all the trouble for me.
***************************************
Without communication we wouldn't have
love. Without love we wouldn't have
humanity. Without humanity we wouldn't
have life, but rather a simple existence
built upon needs and wants alone.
***************************************
Everyone is familiar with the story of Albert Einstein. He had speech delays and problems as a child. He also almost flunked out of school because he was interested in only math and not the other subjects. It's important to put things in perspective. You have to look at the entire child and not just one aspect. The biggest issue I have with some parents and society as a whole is that they expect kids to excel in ALL areas. This is an unfair expectation. Not all of us excel at everything. It's part of what makes this world an interesting place.
When my oldest was three and still could not speak in sentences I was so worried. He barely could communicate and it was so frustrating. I ended up taking him to a Speech Therapy clinic and paid a LOT of money. Unfortunately, I did not know about Early Intervention Services and so I missed out on the opportunity. It is so important to find out what is available in your area. There are numerous services available and usually it is not only for low-income families.
Let me explain what speech therapy is all about. Many people are under the impression that it is only about sounds and being able to physically talk. However, this is only a small part of it. In speech therapy they teach how to communicate. They teach concepts and how to follow directions. Depending on the age of the child, they work on their weaknesses and help develop the confidence needed for success in school. If they are a good speech therapist you will find that they will also teach you things you can do at home to help your child. They are full of information and tips that can supplement the sessions. Some of the tips I was given were: 1) make your child at least attempt to speak before giving them what they want, 2) praise your child if they make ANY attempt to talk, 3) at a young age you can teach them sign language and animal sounds, 4) use descriptive words and don't use "baby talk" when speaking to your child. Those were just a handful of suggestions I received. Don't be afraid to test you child. It's better to know and the earlier the better.
What are the warning signs that you should look out for? How do you know if they are just "late bloomers" or if they truly have a problem. The biggest indicator for me was the "frustration meter". If a child is getting frustrated and anxious because they can't communicate then you need to take action. Sometimes it is so hard to tell the difference between a child who is just stubborn or lazy and doesn't want to talk, versus a child who truly cannot communicate their needs or wants. I was hoping with each of my children that they would somehow catch up on their own and that I wouldn't need to intervene. However, my oldest three required intervention and they all were ready by the time they entered school.
I am struggling right now with my two year old because he is so stubborn. Of course, since all my children have required speech therapy, I almost expect him to need it too. I wish I knew what to do. I just don't want to be paranoid and not to mention that the process is something that takes a lot of time and effort. One of the hardest things for me is that he is so far advanced compared to my other three kids. He has been tested for milestones (which includes speech) at his school and they said he is doing great. My gut tells me that he is fine, but my mind keeps worrying. This is when I am reminded about how healing this blog is for me. I don't pretend to know all the answers. I just hope to share my journey with you, and if our roads meet at some points along the way then we can compare notes.
Keeping a watchful eye on your child's development is crucial. It is also a good thing to have others help you in the process. Sometimes other people, especially teachers, might notice something that you had not thought of. So far, I have not noticed my two year-old to be delayed enough to have him tested. I just know (from experience) that he wouldn't qualify for the Early Intervention Program because he is not delayed enough. They recently lowered the standards (which is definitely not a good thing). He has a great vocabulary (too many words to count)and he can follow directions. He also is doing great at school and so that reassures me that he is doing okay for now. At his school they test for developmental milestones and he has either met or exceeded all areas. I continue to track his progress through checklists and milestone information. This is a great one I found recently and it's in PDF format so you can print it off if you'd like: http://www.deforest.k12.wi.us/files/EPES%20PDFs/Sue%20Miller%20pdfs/SLP_Brochure_small.pdf
Keep in mind that the sites that are geared towards advertising for speech therapy services will have more stringent and expanded lists. It's been my experience that the simpler the list, the better to keep track of. I will definitely keep you updated on my baby's progress as time goes on.
It's important to know the warning signs to look out for. Some of the warning signs that I noticed with my own children were: they cannot follow simple directions, they seem as if they don't hear you, they don't respond to their name being called, they don't know the names of members of their family, their vocabulary is very low or else they just repeat words when they hear them,they have problems playing with kids their age because of the communication deficit, and lastly you (the parent) cannot understand your child most of the time. That last one is a big tip-off. If YOU can't understand your child, then you know that others cannot understand him. That is crucial in school, social settings, and life in general.
Speech delay often leads to social delays. That is why I wanted to post this. A lot of parents worry about autism at this point. There are many factors that you have to look at in order to consider autism. It's not just a simple speech deficit. If only it were that easy! Think about this... if you cannot communicate then you can't learn to share, make friends, take turns, or learn vital social skills. If left untreated, a child who can't communicate will often suffer from depression, low self-esteem, and have many other problems. It's a vicious cycle. My advice is to get your child tested if you suspect they have speech delays. One thing I have been advised to do is check their hearing as well. Sometimes they might have fluid in the ear and that could muffle sounds and make it difficult for them to hear. Also, there are numerous websites that offer screening tools for parents. Here is a good one I found (just click on the appropriate age): http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/speechandlanguage.asp#mychild
Believe me, I understand your concern when it comes to testing and such. I also know the stress involved in having to take your child and the hours of waiting and dealing with siblings. It's just better to know and have the reassurance. I've had people ask me, "how do you know that they wouldn't have just learned to speak eventually anyway?" Well... my answer is that I DON'T know for sure, but I DO know that if it weren't for speech therapy I wouldn't have found out my daughter had Wilson's Disease and that my #2 had PDD. That in itself was worth all the trouble for me.
***************************************
Without communication we wouldn't have
love. Without love we wouldn't have
humanity. Without humanity we wouldn't
have life, but rather a simple existence
built upon needs and wants alone.
***************************************
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Nontraditional Mommy Answers
There's a difference between traditional thought, medicine, and just good old fashioned common sense. How many of us still believe that you can scare someone out of having hiccups? How many of us have put our crying babies on top of a dryer to soothe them? These are definitely things that aren't taught in medical school, but as mothers we just know they work. I thought it would be fun to share some of the things that have worked for me and others. If any of you have other ideas.... please share away!!
When my oldest was a newborn he had difficulty getting to sleep at night. In retrospect I think he got days and nights mixed up. He would sleep most of the day and then want to stay up during the night. When I had reached a point where I could not stand it anymore, one of my friends suggested that I take him out for a ride. She claimed that it worked for her baby every time. I was desperate for sleep, so I begged my dear husband to take the baby out for a "ride" at around 10:30pm. He obliged. When he came back my baby was sound asleep. I dared not move him. So... I did what any sleep-deprived rational mother would do... I left him in the car seat. He slept the entire night!!
At the time my oldest was born, it was standard practice to lay the babies on their backs. It was supposed to help prevent SIDS. Since it was my first baby, I was very paranoid about this. The only time I would place him on his tummy was when we played during the day. I started noticing that he not only had a bald spot on the back of his head, but his head was flattened. I freaked out and took him to the doctor. I was worried that he would have brain damage or something. The doctor laughed and told me that there was an epidemic of flat heads because they lay on their backs and the skull is still so soft at this point. He told me not to worry and reassured me that his head would be okay. However, I have to admit that he looked so weird and I was still worried. At about this time, he started to roll over in the crib. That kept me busy. I would roll him back and he would roll over to his tummy while sleeping. One day my mother came to visit and she told me, "why don't you just let him sleep on his tummy?" I immediately explained how sleeping on his back would prevent SIDS and that the doctor told me not to worry about the flat head. She explained that every few years they change things. When I was born my mom was told to put me on my tummy because they were afraid of babies choking on their vomit. Then it changed to the side because they worried about blankets covering the face. When I got to thinking about it, I realized how silly it was. I started to let my baby stay on his tummy if he rolled over and he not only slept better, but his flat head went away. (Thanks mom!!)
Teething is always such a hard time for moms. I remember how bad ALL my children teethed and how long it seemed to last. Unfortunately, the things doctors tell you to do don't always work. I was always told to use cold teething rings. It was supposed to help relieve the pain. However, that seemed to make things worse for my babies. They would suck and then start to scream. I imagine they probably weren't expecting the cold sensation. One of the quickest and easiest solutions for me was homeopathic solutions. I purchased these little pellets (my mom used them with me) at Wal-Mart and they worked! They have numerous brands and I am not sure which kind they have available these days, but I am sure there are probably even more now. Also, I have already mentioned how one of my friends gave me some chamomile capsules that you just squirt into the baby's mouth. It's liquid and they just swallow it. It helped my baby calm down. Since then, I have found numerous products at our herb shop. Just be savvy and make sure to look at the active ingredients. Just because it's sold at an herb shop doesn't mean it's completely safe.
All of my babies slept through the night at an early age. It wasn't any trick I did or herb I gave them. I basically put them in their own bed by the time they were two months. My only exception was my #4 because we had problems with his feeding when he was born and he ended up in the hospital. It took a while for us to get into a normal routine, and I ended up leaving him in my room for a little longer due to the crazy feeding schedule we had to do. I learned that sometimes babies just wake up in the middle of the night and it's completely normal. They aren't hungry or wet. If you wait a while (at least a few minutes) they will usually calm themselves down and go back to sleep. That is a good thing. If they continued to cry then I would go and either pick them up and hold them and love on them, or I would just pat them on the bottom and rub their back. After a while, my visits became less and less frequent until they learned to calm themselves down. I know a lot of friends who like their babies to stay in the room while they are nursing. I understand the dilemma. It IS a pain having to get out of bed and nurse. However, you would be surprised how much better you and the baby will sleep given the chance. (Of course, this advice is only for those who wish for their babies to sleep through the night. If you do fine with the baby in bed with you and/or beside you in a co-sleeper then my hat goes off to you!!)
The last issue I want to talk about is when do you know your baby is sick? When I was a new mom I took my baby in for EVERYTHING!! I think most new moms do. Now that I have four kids, I only take them if they have had stomach issues for more than a couple days, fever that persists and/or won't go down, green drainage coming out of nose, and respiratory issues such as pneumonia and bronchitis (characterized by wheezing and/or coughing). Everything else pretty much has a solution that can be done at home. Every new mom should invest in a humidifier!! They are wonderful. They help in the wintertime when the air is dry and during the hot summer months when allergies are rampant. Another thing that I find useful is gingerale. This is perfect for when your child is nauseous, feeling weak, or if you are worried about dehydration. Chicken noodle soup is also a great "medicine" and they have actually done studies on it. You know what they say, "starve a fever, feed a cold"... that pretty much sums it up. Sometimes kids just need to lay down and get rest. If you pump them up with tylenol then they will think they are better and they won't let their bodies heal. They will overdo it and then take longer to get well. If your child is running a low-grade fever there are many options. They don't recommend doing alcohol anymore and for good reason. However, I still believe in giving baths (not too cold) and undressing them if necessary. Those are some things that have worked for me.
I hope some of you will find something useful. I hope to hear from you all with more ideas. I wish I knew how to do a "topic link" so that people can post ideas for everyone to see. I am still new at this blogging thing... Perhaps one day I will figure it out.
************************************
Wisdom is knowing that truth can be
relative.
************************************
When my oldest was a newborn he had difficulty getting to sleep at night. In retrospect I think he got days and nights mixed up. He would sleep most of the day and then want to stay up during the night. When I had reached a point where I could not stand it anymore, one of my friends suggested that I take him out for a ride. She claimed that it worked for her baby every time. I was desperate for sleep, so I begged my dear husband to take the baby out for a "ride" at around 10:30pm. He obliged. When he came back my baby was sound asleep. I dared not move him. So... I did what any sleep-deprived rational mother would do... I left him in the car seat. He slept the entire night!!
At the time my oldest was born, it was standard practice to lay the babies on their backs. It was supposed to help prevent SIDS. Since it was my first baby, I was very paranoid about this. The only time I would place him on his tummy was when we played during the day. I started noticing that he not only had a bald spot on the back of his head, but his head was flattened. I freaked out and took him to the doctor. I was worried that he would have brain damage or something. The doctor laughed and told me that there was an epidemic of flat heads because they lay on their backs and the skull is still so soft at this point. He told me not to worry and reassured me that his head would be okay. However, I have to admit that he looked so weird and I was still worried. At about this time, he started to roll over in the crib. That kept me busy. I would roll him back and he would roll over to his tummy while sleeping. One day my mother came to visit and she told me, "why don't you just let him sleep on his tummy?" I immediately explained how sleeping on his back would prevent SIDS and that the doctor told me not to worry about the flat head. She explained that every few years they change things. When I was born my mom was told to put me on my tummy because they were afraid of babies choking on their vomit. Then it changed to the side because they worried about blankets covering the face. When I got to thinking about it, I realized how silly it was. I started to let my baby stay on his tummy if he rolled over and he not only slept better, but his flat head went away. (Thanks mom!!)
Teething is always such a hard time for moms. I remember how bad ALL my children teethed and how long it seemed to last. Unfortunately, the things doctors tell you to do don't always work. I was always told to use cold teething rings. It was supposed to help relieve the pain. However, that seemed to make things worse for my babies. They would suck and then start to scream. I imagine they probably weren't expecting the cold sensation. One of the quickest and easiest solutions for me was homeopathic solutions. I purchased these little pellets (my mom used them with me) at Wal-Mart and they worked! They have numerous brands and I am not sure which kind they have available these days, but I am sure there are probably even more now. Also, I have already mentioned how one of my friends gave me some chamomile capsules that you just squirt into the baby's mouth. It's liquid and they just swallow it. It helped my baby calm down. Since then, I have found numerous products at our herb shop. Just be savvy and make sure to look at the active ingredients. Just because it's sold at an herb shop doesn't mean it's completely safe.
All of my babies slept through the night at an early age. It wasn't any trick I did or herb I gave them. I basically put them in their own bed by the time they were two months. My only exception was my #4 because we had problems with his feeding when he was born and he ended up in the hospital. It took a while for us to get into a normal routine, and I ended up leaving him in my room for a little longer due to the crazy feeding schedule we had to do. I learned that sometimes babies just wake up in the middle of the night and it's completely normal. They aren't hungry or wet. If you wait a while (at least a few minutes) they will usually calm themselves down and go back to sleep. That is a good thing. If they continued to cry then I would go and either pick them up and hold them and love on them, or I would just pat them on the bottom and rub their back. After a while, my visits became less and less frequent until they learned to calm themselves down. I know a lot of friends who like their babies to stay in the room while they are nursing. I understand the dilemma. It IS a pain having to get out of bed and nurse. However, you would be surprised how much better you and the baby will sleep given the chance. (Of course, this advice is only for those who wish for their babies to sleep through the night. If you do fine with the baby in bed with you and/or beside you in a co-sleeper then my hat goes off to you!!)
The last issue I want to talk about is when do you know your baby is sick? When I was a new mom I took my baby in for EVERYTHING!! I think most new moms do. Now that I have four kids, I only take them if they have had stomach issues for more than a couple days, fever that persists and/or won't go down, green drainage coming out of nose, and respiratory issues such as pneumonia and bronchitis (characterized by wheezing and/or coughing). Everything else pretty much has a solution that can be done at home. Every new mom should invest in a humidifier!! They are wonderful. They help in the wintertime when the air is dry and during the hot summer months when allergies are rampant. Another thing that I find useful is gingerale. This is perfect for when your child is nauseous, feeling weak, or if you are worried about dehydration. Chicken noodle soup is also a great "medicine" and they have actually done studies on it. You know what they say, "starve a fever, feed a cold"... that pretty much sums it up. Sometimes kids just need to lay down and get rest. If you pump them up with tylenol then they will think they are better and they won't let their bodies heal. They will overdo it and then take longer to get well. If your child is running a low-grade fever there are many options. They don't recommend doing alcohol anymore and for good reason. However, I still believe in giving baths (not too cold) and undressing them if necessary. Those are some things that have worked for me.
I hope some of you will find something useful. I hope to hear from you all with more ideas. I wish I knew how to do a "topic link" so that people can post ideas for everyone to see. I am still new at this blogging thing... Perhaps one day I will figure it out.
************************************
Wisdom is knowing that truth can be
relative.
************************************
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Vaccine Dilemma: Prepare From the Start
I looked up the definition of "dilemma" and found it to mean: a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives. I thought it was the perfect adjective to describe the choice parents have to make concerning vaccines. Do we vaccinate and pray that our child has no adverse reaction or even die ..... or do we choose not to vaccinate and pray that our child does not end up with a horrible disease? Hmmm? However, I have learned that there IS another alternative.
My heart goes out to new mothers who have to make that decision. They are often made to feel ignorant and selfish when trying to voice their opinions or concerns. It goes farther than the vaccine issue. I know from experience that there is STILL opposition in breastfeeding among the medical community. There are some doctors that insist on a new mother (who is exhausted and is struggling) to bring their baby to the office every week and have a weight check "just to make sure" that the baby is getting enough milk when the mom has decided to breastfeed. At the hospital some nurses are not as supportive as they should. I remember when I had my first baby they gave me a "nursing support" diaper bag with FORMULA inside "just in case" I needed it!!! Anyone who has nursed knows that there are times in the beginning when you just beg for a bottle just once. However, chances are that if you give the baby a bottle then you will likely do it again....then you will likely mess up your milk supply (unless you are seasoned and know how to do it properly). It's not exactly what a new mother needs for "support".
What prompted me to write this post was numerous friends and acquaintances who are either pregnant or have newborn babies have approached me about this subject. They just don't know how to stand up to doctors. I wish I could go to the office with them. It just takes a couple times and you learn how to deal with their looks of disapproval and words of disdain. I have to warn you that you will feel like dirt the first time you try to "discuss" vaccines with your pediatrician. They will give you all kinds of statistics and say that there is no evidence that vaccines cause injury. However, when you bring your child in to be vaccinated they won't hesitate to pull out the release form for you to sign basically stating that they are released from all liability resulting from the vaccine....and they can't guarantee nothing will happen...AND basically they can't be sued if something does. You would have to rely on the "vaccine compensation" program and it's there for that purpose.
Let's discuss the vaccine compensation program for a second. Theoretically it's there for parents in case there is an adverse reaction after a vaccine is administered. If your child has a reaction immediately following the vaccine then your case is probably easier to prove. However, if you don't notice the reaction or if it's not reported within their two-month "window" then it will probably be a lot harder to prove. You will also have to have documentation of any "reaction" or else they will say you haven't proved any "damages" and you're out of luck. Don't count on the doctor to help you either. They will likely not remember and if it's not in their records then there is nothing they can do. I have already discussed the things you must look out for in a previous post so I urge you to read it if you haven't already. It's entitled: "What do I Really Think About Vaccines" and it was posted on Sept. 26th.
Most parents are under the impression that they either have to vaccinate according to schedule or not vaccinate at all. That is not the case. The laws vary from state to state, but if you can get a Religious/Philosophical Exemption then that is your best bet. You can write down which vaccines you don't want your child to get and it doesn't have to be an all or none proposition. It will also protect you against any other vaccines that might come up in the future. Right now the HPV Vaccine is one that is very controversial and I am sure many more will follow.
I have also discussed vaccinating on a different schedule than the CDC suggests. Let me explain to you why the CDC suggests the current mandated schedule. There is a lot of money invested in vaccines. However, there is also another dilemma. The government wants to make sure that low-income families and those that are more prone to drug abuse or neglect are covered. That is why Hepatitis B vaccine is administered to newborn babies, for example. The government knows that the majority of American mothers are not going to have Hepatitis B, but because there are those FEW people that might then they want to make sure that the vaccine is covered under the Federal guidelines and keep babies from being affected. The irony of it all though is that we are potentially harming millions of babies in order to "protect" the minority. Since the government can't "discriminate" then they have to mandate it. Does that make sense to you?
Another example is the flu shot. I was shocked when I read that in children five and younger the flu shot did not reduce the numbers of hospitalizations. This is according to the CDC!!! So why are pediatricians pushing for it? Makes no senses to me. Read more about it: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70107.html
Parents need to question the need for certain vaccines and the timing for sure. Why do twelve year-old girls need the HPV vaccine? Because in low-income families and minority groups there is a higher incidence of teenage pregnancy and sex. I heard a doctor say once on television that the government has to mandate certain vaccines so that it can be available to low-income families. In other words, so that they can go to the County Health Department and have tax dollars pay for their vaccines. That's it in a nutshell.
This is a wonderful website that is full of information on vaccines and VAERS and anything else you can think of. http://www.909shot.com/Issues/Intro_Message.htm I urge you to visit it. I found answers to a lot of questions. It can give you the ammunition you need to face doctors.
If you are pregnant then begin by making a labor plan that includes what vaccines, if any, you want your child to receive. I personally did not give my newborn a Hepatitis B shot and I made sure that they knew. I had my husband follow our baby after he was born, and we prevented the nurse from "accidentally" giving it to my baby. Another thing you might want to do is discuss your wishes with your baby's pediatrician. It's important that the doctor knows your beliefs and that they are respected. Throughout your pregnancy you were careful about what you ate, medicines you took, and what toxins you were exposed to... right? Well, this is just a continuation of that same care you took. Would you feed your newborn baby tap water not knowing what it's in it? Well...would you inject anything into your baby without knowing what is in it? Here is a good link showing all the things in vaccines: http://www.fda.gov/CBER/vaccine/thimerosal.htm It's from the FDA themselves. I did not make this up! (It is truly unbelievable the stuff they put in vaccines.)
After your child is born, the pediatrician will try to urge you to start vaccinating right away. I urge you to consider waiting at least a couple months. If you are breastfeeding then you can wait longer. Your breast milk will have all the antibodies and nutrients your baby needs. When you decide to start vaccinating, then work out a schedule that you feel comfortable with. I would advice starting with just one vaccine at a time. If you have a reaction there is no way you can know what caused it if you had multiple shots given. It could be as simple as an allergy to eggs for example, but how would you know?
Now...the following is based purely on MY theory and thought process, and I have no link(s) to back it up. I think that the most critical time is when the brain is developing. Much of the brain development occurs the first three years of a child's life and therefore are very important. That is when you should try and limit the amount of toxins and allergens they are exposed to. If your child is not going to be in a daycare environment or preschool then you really have more options. It's important that you prepare yourself mentally as well as physically for whatever decision you make. It helps to prepare from the very start. Write it down if you have to, discuss it with your spouse, and come prepared when approaching the subject with your pediatrician.
I wish you all the very best and hope that my information will help you. It's just a difficult subject for me to talk about because I often get angry. I have learned to remain focused and put my children first. That has given me more courage and conviction than anything else in the world.
**************************************
Courage comes from a place deep inside
the soul. It's locked away until you
find the key that unlocks that door.
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My heart goes out to new mothers who have to make that decision. They are often made to feel ignorant and selfish when trying to voice their opinions or concerns. It goes farther than the vaccine issue. I know from experience that there is STILL opposition in breastfeeding among the medical community. There are some doctors that insist on a new mother (who is exhausted and is struggling) to bring their baby to the office every week and have a weight check "just to make sure" that the baby is getting enough milk when the mom has decided to breastfeed. At the hospital some nurses are not as supportive as they should. I remember when I had my first baby they gave me a "nursing support" diaper bag with FORMULA inside "just in case" I needed it!!! Anyone who has nursed knows that there are times in the beginning when you just beg for a bottle just once. However, chances are that if you give the baby a bottle then you will likely do it again....then you will likely mess up your milk supply (unless you are seasoned and know how to do it properly). It's not exactly what a new mother needs for "support".
What prompted me to write this post was numerous friends and acquaintances who are either pregnant or have newborn babies have approached me about this subject. They just don't know how to stand up to doctors. I wish I could go to the office with them. It just takes a couple times and you learn how to deal with their looks of disapproval and words of disdain. I have to warn you that you will feel like dirt the first time you try to "discuss" vaccines with your pediatrician. They will give you all kinds of statistics and say that there is no evidence that vaccines cause injury. However, when you bring your child in to be vaccinated they won't hesitate to pull out the release form for you to sign basically stating that they are released from all liability resulting from the vaccine....and they can't guarantee nothing will happen...AND basically they can't be sued if something does. You would have to rely on the "vaccine compensation" program and it's there for that purpose.
Let's discuss the vaccine compensation program for a second. Theoretically it's there for parents in case there is an adverse reaction after a vaccine is administered. If your child has a reaction immediately following the vaccine then your case is probably easier to prove. However, if you don't notice the reaction or if it's not reported within their two-month "window" then it will probably be a lot harder to prove. You will also have to have documentation of any "reaction" or else they will say you haven't proved any "damages" and you're out of luck. Don't count on the doctor to help you either. They will likely not remember and if it's not in their records then there is nothing they can do. I have already discussed the things you must look out for in a previous post so I urge you to read it if you haven't already. It's entitled: "What do I Really Think About Vaccines" and it was posted on Sept. 26th.
Most parents are under the impression that they either have to vaccinate according to schedule or not vaccinate at all. That is not the case. The laws vary from state to state, but if you can get a Religious/Philosophical Exemption then that is your best bet. You can write down which vaccines you don't want your child to get and it doesn't have to be an all or none proposition. It will also protect you against any other vaccines that might come up in the future. Right now the HPV Vaccine is one that is very controversial and I am sure many more will follow.
I have also discussed vaccinating on a different schedule than the CDC suggests. Let me explain to you why the CDC suggests the current mandated schedule. There is a lot of money invested in vaccines. However, there is also another dilemma. The government wants to make sure that low-income families and those that are more prone to drug abuse or neglect are covered. That is why Hepatitis B vaccine is administered to newborn babies, for example. The government knows that the majority of American mothers are not going to have Hepatitis B, but because there are those FEW people that might then they want to make sure that the vaccine is covered under the Federal guidelines and keep babies from being affected. The irony of it all though is that we are potentially harming millions of babies in order to "protect" the minority. Since the government can't "discriminate" then they have to mandate it. Does that make sense to you?
Another example is the flu shot. I was shocked when I read that in children five and younger the flu shot did not reduce the numbers of hospitalizations. This is according to the CDC!!! So why are pediatricians pushing for it? Makes no senses to me. Read more about it: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_70107.html
Parents need to question the need for certain vaccines and the timing for sure. Why do twelve year-old girls need the HPV vaccine? Because in low-income families and minority groups there is a higher incidence of teenage pregnancy and sex. I heard a doctor say once on television that the government has to mandate certain vaccines so that it can be available to low-income families. In other words, so that they can go to the County Health Department and have tax dollars pay for their vaccines. That's it in a nutshell.
This is a wonderful website that is full of information on vaccines and VAERS and anything else you can think of. http://www.909shot.com/Issues/Intro_Message.htm I urge you to visit it. I found answers to a lot of questions. It can give you the ammunition you need to face doctors.
If you are pregnant then begin by making a labor plan that includes what vaccines, if any, you want your child to receive. I personally did not give my newborn a Hepatitis B shot and I made sure that they knew. I had my husband follow our baby after he was born, and we prevented the nurse from "accidentally" giving it to my baby. Another thing you might want to do is discuss your wishes with your baby's pediatrician. It's important that the doctor knows your beliefs and that they are respected. Throughout your pregnancy you were careful about what you ate, medicines you took, and what toxins you were exposed to... right? Well, this is just a continuation of that same care you took. Would you feed your newborn baby tap water not knowing what it's in it? Well...would you inject anything into your baby without knowing what is in it? Here is a good link showing all the things in vaccines: http://www.fda.gov/CBER/vaccine/thimerosal.htm It's from the FDA themselves. I did not make this up! (It is truly unbelievable the stuff they put in vaccines.)
After your child is born, the pediatrician will try to urge you to start vaccinating right away. I urge you to consider waiting at least a couple months. If you are breastfeeding then you can wait longer. Your breast milk will have all the antibodies and nutrients your baby needs. When you decide to start vaccinating, then work out a schedule that you feel comfortable with. I would advice starting with just one vaccine at a time. If you have a reaction there is no way you can know what caused it if you had multiple shots given. It could be as simple as an allergy to eggs for example, but how would you know?
Now...the following is based purely on MY theory and thought process, and I have no link(s) to back it up. I think that the most critical time is when the brain is developing. Much of the brain development occurs the first three years of a child's life and therefore are very important. That is when you should try and limit the amount of toxins and allergens they are exposed to. If your child is not going to be in a daycare environment or preschool then you really have more options. It's important that you prepare yourself mentally as well as physically for whatever decision you make. It helps to prepare from the very start. Write it down if you have to, discuss it with your spouse, and come prepared when approaching the subject with your pediatrician.
I wish you all the very best and hope that my information will help you. It's just a difficult subject for me to talk about because I often get angry. I have learned to remain focused and put my children first. That has given me more courage and conviction than anything else in the world.
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Courage comes from a place deep inside
the soul. It's locked away until you
find the key that unlocks that door.
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