And Now, the Unvarnished Truth from Across the Pond
WARNING THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS A SWEAR WORD OR TWO AND I MAKE NO APOLOGY!
It was the last day of school today for Jon and I went to a 2 o'clock assembly. I was late, had been rushing around doing all the things I won't be able to do from Monday. Summer holidays are my captivity as his carer. I crept to my seat on the back row whilst they were singing the cheery Cliff Richard song "Summer Holiday" led by Class Teacher, Anne.
About thirty children from two groups of eleven year olds, stacks of class support workers, and only a small handful of parents. Award Certificates were being handed out to each child leaving to go from primary to secondary. I looked around the hall and my eyes soaked up the scene and it almost ripped out my heart. Four wheelchairs contained severely physically disabled children, two boys with Downs, the rest were autistic.
* Cameron had his hands over his ears
wailing
* Josh (so handsome, tall with blond hair
blue eyes) rocked and hand flapped
* Kyle had his fist in his mouth
* Luke got up to study the glass in the door
behind Anne for ages
* Alex had his mouth open staring into space
* Jonathon sucked his thumb and chewed his fingers, oblivious
* John hit his own face again and again, then a carer held his hands
* Jack went "eeeeeeeeeee" throughout
* Chloe sat very well indeed
Another boy was jumping into the corner facing the wall. In front of me, one was lolling his upper body on his own lap. So many of them in one place, several I'd not seen before. It was overwhelming.
In the commotion of that room I sat between Cameron's Dad and Jatinder's Gran and gazed around as Cam's Dad described how he mixes up who's who because the boys (all good lookers) are so alike in their behaviour. I said I blamed the vaccines, he agreed. I'd never talked to him before. It was hard to watch Jon stand to get his certificate, then not move forward, have to be taken, have his thumb removed from his mouth and his arm lifted out to accept his certificate, then escorted back to his seat, clueless!
The worst part came at the end. Jon had been at respite all week, I hadn't clapped eyes on him since last Sunday and I was all excited to see him. As he was brought to me, he just took my hand as if I was a carer to take him back to class. I said "Jon, it's mummy, look" and gave him a big hug. Nothing, not a flicker of recognition, he just stood, vacant. School is not the place to break down - so I didn't - but I wanted to let out a primeval scream. What have they done to our children, to my son? (Aside from my taking him for his MMR jab, the responsibility for which I admit, and I am paying for daily).
That was an awful thing to see today, such a throng of autism, in one hall in one school in Shropshire. Young boys who should be able to do the simplest tasks but can't, should be playing football with their mates, going off camping, bursting out of school ready to climb trees and soak up the summer fun but instead are being led out by the hand or hands to their buses by carers. An utter waste of beautiful children.
I want the fucking bastard who damaged them, held to account. Please help me to do this.
Alli Edwards (one very angry mum) is with www.cryshame.org in the UK.
The Primary School people are OK here in the UK, its the Secondary School - they are building an 'Academy' (2000+ kids) far from our home.
We would rather Homeschool .
Posted by: Harry | August 15, 2008 at 08:23 PM
I don't know why we are here and why kids are suffering but we will help them. They will get better and our stories will be heard. They are counting on us. We will do this together.
Posted by: Lisa - proud mom to Jeff | July 23, 2008 at 07:24 PM
Posted by: alison MacNeil | July 23, 2008 at 06:01 PM
There are times when words will never suffice and this is one of those times.
Just *KNOW* that WE know the pain. It's why we fight.
God Bless you and your boy,
Kelli
Posted by: Kelli Ann Davis | July 23, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Posted by: Hary Hofherr | July 22, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Posted by: Randy | July 22, 2008 at 02:34 PM
The holocaust we continue to make of our children will go down as the worst medical mistake in history.
Who have the proof everywhere.
Anne Dachel
Media editor
Posted by: Anne Dachel | July 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
We should take Mr. Savage to one of our awards ceremonies and he can see how much 'faking' we are doing. Then he can look at our financial statements and see how much we are bilking the gov't for...
Posted by: Cathy | July 22, 2008 at 10:07 AM
If I could somehow put a hug in a comment box, I would.
Keep fighting, keep healing.
Our gains came later than most, beyond the 5 year old window.
At 3 we had this video of a Christmas, we broke the bank that year, only to see our ASD son stand in the living room spaced.
His siblings squealing in delight around him.
There is a boy in there.
Trust me.
When we did get language and writing finally
all the stories read and experiences had came tumbling out.
A medal of honor should go to the Moms and Dads who love the kids past the Autism shell.
Who bother to show up for awards day.
Bless you.
Posted by: KarenAtlanta | July 22, 2008 at 09:50 AM
You write beautifully. I could feel the pain all too familiar. My daughter's high school class is identical. I have lived this moment with you more times thn I can count.
You said--" (Aside from my taking him for his MMR jab, the responsibilty for which I admit, and I am paying for daily)."
There is no way to sugarcoat how many kids have had horrible damage done BUT you (we, parents) did not do this. Taking our kids in for their vaccines was supposedly a good thing, good for them, and what all loving, caring parents were to do. The resonsibility goes to all those who have allowed, continued, minimized, denied, covered up, not cared, received money, and downright lied to promote these biological products that are dangerous and have transformed our babies into injured victims, some whose lives will never be close to normal.
You are not alone in your pain, sadness and anger BUT there are tremendous efforts on the flipside of this catastrophe, trying to heal the children, stop more from being injured, and identify the different avenues for their well-earned day in court, politically and legally.
We are with you--!
Posted by: Teresa | July 22, 2008 at 09:26 AM
I am so very sorry your son cannot recognize his mommy. I am crying for you and for him, as well as every other child that has been taken from us.
Posted by: Jeanne | July 22, 2008 at 09:22 AM
As a conservative, I think that Savage did more to help Obama in one night than the campaign has done in the las two years. As much as I am disgusted by what Michael says, as long as we have classrooms as described in this article, we need to educate and use voices like his to help get the word out. He is the third most listened to personality right now. He needs to be educated about the facts in the Autism epidemic. He did not even know about vaccine court.
Posted by: Tanners Dad | July 22, 2008 at 07:49 AM