Minnie’s Musings

FFS That idiot is going to cause the deaths and disablement of children with his unfounded claims relating to paracetamol and regurgitation of unfounded claims about vaccines.

More damage can be done to a foetus by a fever that can be brought under control by paracetamol than by a pain killer that we regularly dose our teething babies with (Calpol, wonderful stuff).

Because we have vaccines infant mortality due to measles has fallen from our collective memory.

Because we have vaccines male infertility due to mumps has disappeared.

Because we have vaccines pregnant women and their unborn children are protected from rubella.

And now thousands of women all over America (and perhaps the World) have yet another thing to worry about (on top of every glass of wine consumed before the thin blue line appeared).

When friends with children on the spectrum have looked back on their pregnancies not one of us have a similar story. And some have no story. Because nothing was consumed or done or happened during the whole nine months that clearly points to potential damage.

Autism happens. It is on the rise because the definition has broadened to absorb a vast variety of previously differentiated conditions and the label at the high functioning end has changed. End of.

If there is a crisis it is one of funding. Because there isn’t enough in the system here or across The Pond to create schools which can afford the smaller classes, more in-depth training and specialist resources to support young people who are square pegs rather than uniform, rounded models that produce straight As and sports trophies. They have always been there, their parents are simply more aware of what will help them get through the education mill and are prepared to fight for it.