The end of the autism/vaccine debate?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/09/07/p.autism.vaccine.debate/index.html
My husband recently emailed me this news article. I am not meaning to offend anyone, just stating some facts I have come to learn from being in the health care field.
-I was in a lecture given by our chief neurosurgeon of the hospital and he said vaccines are the best thing the government has given us. (The second is mandating the enrichment of food products, such as bread, with Folic Acid)
-I have seen multiple cases of Pertussis (yes, it is still around) and other preventable diseases in babies who were not vaccinated. I work in the Pediatric ICU, which is never a good place to see babies, they were very sick.
-I always wondered if Autism was blamed on vaccines because the symptoms of Autism do not begin appearing until around 4-6 months, which is after shots would have been given, since there would be no other explanation?
-Since there are people who do not vaccinate themselves, we need to protect ourselves and our children.
-I've heard a mom say, well, I skipped this vaccine because what are the chances my kid will be exposed to that? I just said, we don't know what our kids will be exposed to.
-My pediatrician told me the same number of children develop Autism who receive vaccines as do the children who are not vaccinated, and there is no correlation.
I don't mean to upset anyone or cause any arguments, but according to the article provided, the case regarding Autism and vaccines has been closed. If you find information otherwise, please share.

No floaties, please...

4 out of 5 of the near drowning victims we have seen at the hospital lately have been because these children have taken off their floaties when someone either wasn't looking or when someone started feeling comfortable depending on floaties. These children don't realize they can stay above water soley because of the inflatable baloons on their arms. They remove them and get brave, and jump in. It is incredibly tragic. Several of these toddlers have died and the ones who survive probably will have a neurological deficit that is irreversable. Often, after these children are revived, I have heard families say, "He's going to be just fine!". The truth is, nobody knows how he or she will be. There have been cases where children are wheelchair-bound, and unable to effectively communicate after the lack of oxygen to the brain for an extended period of time. Of course, none of these families ever thought this could happen to them. Please know, if you have children, this possibly could possibly happen to YOU too.

http://phoenix.gov/fire/watersafe.html

2010 Phoenix Drowning Incidents To Date:

Total Incidents: 40 (30 children / 10 adult)
Total Fatalities: 9

2009 Totals:
75 Incidents (56 children / 19 adults)
16 Fatalities (3 children / 13 adults)

2008 Totals:
82 Incidents (51 children / 31 adults)
26 Fatalities (8 children / 18 adults)

2007 Totals:
79 Incidents (49 children / 30 adults)
16 Fatalities (4 children / 12 adults)

2006 Totals:
84 Incidents (57 children / 27 adults)
24 Fatalities (6 children / 18 adults

Safe Havens...

This isn't too new, but some people aren't sure what "safe havens". If your baby is unharmed, and you don't intend to reclaim your baby, you have options! Simply bring your baby to any of the following Safe Haven locations - no questions asked:

Any Hospital
Any Staffed Ambulance
Any Staffed Fire Station
Any Adoption Agency
Some Churches

"No Shame, No Blame, No Names"

There is no shame in providing a better opportunity for your baby. Nobody will look at you funny or say anything to you. At some hospitals there are even "drop off" locations. At Cardon's Children's hospital, there is a small steel door outside the front of the hospital made only for babies being dropped off. Nobody even has to see who is dropping off the baby. This is only equipped for infants less than 2 or 3 months old. Please, before any harm comes to a child, make a better decision for that baby. Most people are unaware that physical harm or neglect to a baby that old could have permanent results.


http://www.azsbh.org/



*Any history left with the child is always appreciated, but not required.

For the children

I decided to start this blog because recently I have been more immersed in the unfortunate side of children's lives. I felt so strongly that I need to do something, or say something, for the children who get placed in a hospital by others. Nothing is more unfair. So this is what I'm going to do for now... attempt to be a resource for families trying to better the lives of their children.