Balance.

Ali-
You are so right- it would be great to have one source where we could go for the "correct" answers to medical questions. As someone who works in a medical profession (blood banking) and regularly reads studies, journal articles, etc. and tries to decide what my facility will do that it best for our patients, I will say that for almost every study proving something, it seems like there is another to disprove it.
Also, don't ever forget that it is called the "practice" of medicine. No doctor can read all the articles, journals, etc. and take care of all their patients. I do think that most of them do what they believe is the right thing for us. And many medical decisions are also weighing the risks vs. benefits (as in the case of vaccines).
Thanks for these very thought provoking posts!

Isn't it unreal how there can be two such differing opinions and how "true" each sounds! And when i googled - holy moley the number of LINKS - I don't think I could ever read them all!!
Yep I wholeheartedly agree that a unbiased database (not weighing in with emotional statements or selective editing or quoting) would be FABULOUS for everyone trying to learn more on any issue - clear FACTS are what I am after.
But I sadly think the chances of it happening are really minimal.
Hope you have a great weekend Ali.
Cheers,
Lee : )

Ali, I started reading your blog because I'm a scrapper who has admired your work for quite a while. I was pleasantly surprised to find your posts on autism both thoughtful and thought provoking. Although my 17 year old son is not autistic, I think open, honest discussion on the possible causes of what is, to me, a startling amount of autistic children can only benefit all of us. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Colleen

Unbiased information is the goal of the scientific community, but with funding and ideology it seems to be a simple ideal. Thank you for providing the link. I have no children yet, but these issues really have me concerned.

Thanks for all tha attention you have given this:)
My first son was diagnosed with Autism and I still got my next two sons vaccinated.
You are right - it is such an amazing thing when you start peeking into people to see what makes them tick. I feel like I am a better person, a more aware person, since my son's diagnosis. I wish we could have avoided it. But I wouldn't change him either. Sounds wierd to say - but true.
kellicrowe

Thanks for providing a counter argument as well, Ali. There were many interesting points made in the comments on this blog, especially by Kristjan Wager and Dwight Meredith, and if you follow RN's links there's a whole world of information. I find Orac himself thought-provoking, but very quick to jump to unsupported conclusions. He is also very condescending toward people who disagree with him. Lots of food for thought, though. I can see how one can easily get bogged down in this mire of information and misinformation. Trust your instincts that you're doing what's right for Simon. You're the parents. Nobody knows you child like you do. Hugs to you and your family!

Thanks for posting this as well. It's always good to be able to see different points of view.

This is the very reason I admire you & your family. You are real people with real concerns and just voice them as anyone else would.
It is very hard to decipher much of the information that is thrown at us daily. I struggle just to make sure my kids have a balanced diet and enough sleep...but it's clear that our jobs as parents include so much more than that. We are our children's only advocates and it is important that we arm ourselves with as much information as possible when making decisions that will affect them for the duration of their lives.
Thank you for making me stand back and take notice again, bringing this to the forefront of my mind, and making me ask questions that affect my most precious gifts. :)

Hi Ali. I just want you to know what a major influence you had on me on journaling about my need to find balance in my life and to actually make a layout out of it.
This is a tribute to you:
http://tinyurl.com/84fjm
The layout is part of my daughter's ABC Album. B is for Balance.
Thanks for the inspiration!

Nicley put Ali. Touche to balance.

Thanks for looking at both sides Ali. That is good to see. I enjoy reading your blog and all its variety of subjects.
I had a good laugh reading Orac's blog. When I saw the name I was pretty sure he had named himself after the supercomputer Orac from the cheesy 70's sci-fi TV show called Blake's 7. Sure enough, he has and has even provided a photo. Major flashback to childhood.
Hope you had a good weekend.

You are doing the right thing, providing this information and sources. I so believe in looking out for ourselves, our children and family. I have found doctors are there to assist in treatment not in prevention. We need to take ownership of our lives and not believe that others, including the government, will look out for our well being.