Its okay to be abnormal, in fact, its normal to be abnormal.. BTW what is normal?

Sitting here doing my Child Psychology assignment, I ran across an article that, in a way, disturbed me. I'm actually kind of surprised, yet impressed to my response to what I'm reading. Oh, and before I continue: BTW text-talk for "by the way". (smile)

My assignment is to read and evaluate some readings about vaccinations and if there is a connection to autism. One article was basically about a study that was severely unethical that, of course, insisted a connection (with very careful and ambiguous language) between the two. Another reading connects the responses, by way of other studies performed all over the world, that found otherwise- no apparent connection, or causation, between autism and vaccinations (MMR).

The part that prompted a response, on a personal level, was the an article about the other studies that were insisting no connection between MMR vaccine and autism. It discussed that celebrity Jenny McCartney, among many other non-celebrity parents, are blaming the vaccinations on their children developing autism. Though research proves otherwise, its a very controversial matter to parents (who have a child that was affected by autism after receiving the vaccinations).

My issue is: Autism, is it a scratch on your brand new Camaro when you take it to get washed? Or, is it that special striped custom hood that makes your Camaro a special custom made edition?

When considering average child development knowledge it seems obvious that certain diseases, illnesses, and mental illness can development and show up at any time in a persons life. Having had some shots prior to the first signs of symptoms could be coincidental right? I guess not, but research should look in to the age of onset, and the type of autism developed maybe?

What really bothers me is how the parents speak of their child being diagnosed with autism as if a vaccine has ruined their child, and lack any appreciation of healthy, breathing citizen. Our offspring, whether they be "normal" or "abnormal" to societal standards, deserve to be treated and respected as any other child or person. Why would a child having a disease like autism raise so much controversy, its like a parent being made that they colored out the lines on a picture and attacking the mouthwash company for having a .027% alcohol content- which caused the blemish to their lovely piece of art.

Am I overreacting, possibly? I just feel like instead of embracing how to help these children not be ridiculed and left behind due to lack of understanding their condition by the "normal" population, the focus has been blaming and childish finger-pointing at possibilities. Prevention is great, but autism has been around for many, many years- in the years of the baby boomers some types of autism was merely considered "socially awkward". Sometimes all these clinical indications can really alienate a person.

Until the real "normal" is discovered, I will never look at somebody with a disability as a person who is not able, or incapable of anything ordinary. I will look at my curiosity as my ignorance to understanding them and their story, perhaps.

Peave and Love!