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[Deleted User]

http://canada.com/health/story.html?id=30770538-51F7-42F4-887C-33BE271044E8

[Deleted User]

Neal Hall
Vancouver Sun

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Niko Soursos of Richmond was born a perfectly healthy boy almost Peter
three years ago. He achieved every developmental milestone Battistoni,
expected of normally developing children physically, Vancouver
neurologically and socially, says his father, Elias Soursos. Sun
/
But after receiving three mandatory shots of the hepatitis B Elias
vaccine by the time he was eight months old, Niko began displaying Soursos
signs of neurological damage, becoming more distant, and losing —
language skills. with
his
Niko was diagnosed with autism last year after his second son
birthday. His father, a 35-year-old investment adviser with Niko
Canaccord Capital, began researching the possible causes of autism —
a few weeks after his son was diagnosed. says
he
"Doctors used to say this is genetic," the Soursos said Tuesday. believes
He now believes his son's neurological damage was caused by his
Thimerosal, an organic mercury compound used as a preservative in son's
child vaccines. Two years ago, it was phased out for infant neurological
vaccines in Canada. It has also been phased out in the U.S. for damage
infant vaccines. was
caused
Soursos says Thimerosal was used in hepatitis B vaccines his son by
received as part of Richmond's mandatory inoculation program for a
children. mercury
compound.
This week, Soursos was one of two parents who filed separate
class-action lawsuits against several drug companies, claiming
their sons suffered neurological damage after receiving
vaccinations containing Thimerosal.

Soursos is suing drug companies Merck Frosst Canada and GlaxoSmithKline Inc.,
which made and distributed the vaccines.

He is seeking damages for his son's autism therapy that costs $3,500 a month,
part of which is covered by a $1,600-a-month government grant.

His lawsuit claims the drug companies failed to warn of the risks associated with
Thimerosal in vaccines.

"The defendants failed to communicate the dangerous nature of the vaccines to the
public and must be held accountable for their negligence," Vancouver lawyer David
Klein said Tuesday.

Klein is representing the Soursos and the plaintiff in the other class-action
lawsuit, Jaqueline Chamberlain of Sooke, whose 10-year-old son Aaron also suffers
from autism.

"It may be too late for Aaron and Niko but Thimerosal has been taken out of all
routine vaccines for infants in Canada," Klein said.

The lawsuits claim the drug companies should have known of the neurotoxic effects
of the mercury contained in Thimerosal, which had been used as a preservative and
anti-biological agent since the 1930s.

"Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on earth," the lawsuits claim.
"Mercury poisoning is well documented in medical literature."

Infants are more susceptible than adults to the toxic effects of mercury because
mercury interferes with infants' developing neurological systems, the lawsuits
say.

The lawsuits allege that the drug companies developed, tested, manufactured,
licensed, distributed, marketed, supplied and/or sold the vaccines with the
knowledge that they would be injected into infants.

Chamberlain's lawsuit claims her infant son Aaron suffered neurological damage
after receiving two doses of the DPT vaccine containing Thimerosal, which is
manufactured by Aventis Pasteur Limited.

The DPT vaccine, which was phased out in 1994, was used against diphtheria, whole
cell Pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus.

Like Niko, Aaron was born perfectly healthy and demonstrated social, language,
cognitive, behavioural and physical skills appropriate for his age, the lawsuit
says.

But before his second birthday, after receiving the DPT vaccine, he became
unresponsive, withdrawn, slow in speech development, developed repetitive
behaviours and an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Aaron was diagnosed with autism at age five. He still has limited language and
social skills, the legal action claims.

[Elaine Gee]

EXTENDED HEALTH COVERAGE :
I am interested in knowing about extended health coverage for ABA consulting and other related services. My husband's extended health plan is provided by Sun Life. Please email me personally as to how to go about getting coverage for parts of our ABA treatment. I do understand that every health plan is different from different insurance companies. I need to know what to ask and look for. My email address is elainegee@shaw.ca. Thanks.

[Deleted User]

I am doing a research paper for university, and am interested in finding any information regarding treatment options for older children. My paper is on media reports regarding the current gov't funding for autistic children. I have to present arguments for and against the funding. While I am familiar with early intervention, I lack knowledge about intervention for older children. Any help would be greatly appreciated. You can e-mail me directly at: bowling@telus.net

Thank you in advance for you help.

Leslie Bowling

[Deleted User]

My information from quite a reliable source is that families of children who are 6 and over will receive approximately $500 per month. Very disturbing as the current funding of $1667.00 just barely allows us to have a good program in place. Has anyone actually gone to their social worker and used the latest court ruling to demand services for their over 6 child? If so, what was the result?

[Lilly Yan Zheng]

I was informed by my social worker from Ministry of Children and Family, the IEII contract may not be extended for the children whose age are 6 by the end of March 2003. The final decision will be made soon. Please contact your social worker to clarify it.

[Barbara Rodrigues]

To the parent wanting the info on the alarm.

I don't know if you can buy the alarms in B.C. but one can be ordered through Starchild Labs in California. It's called the 'Sleepdry alarm' The number to call is 408-662-2659. They don't have a web site.

If you need more info please contact me privately at joe_rodrigues@telus.net

Good luck.

Barbara

[Deleted User]

I would like information on where I could purchase a "wet alarm" in the lowermainland. We are finding that this may be necessary to successfully toilet train our son for independence. I know that some parents have used it with their children with wonderful success. Thank you for your help.

[Deleted User]

this is in response to Timothy Ralphs re: friend in Maple Ridge.

I live in Maple Ridge. I have two children in Lovaas programs and have been in programs for over 2.5 years. I am also active in FEAT so I am knowledgeable with a variety of consultants etc.

Your friend can contact me at Mkarren1@aol.com

THere is an ASBC meeting in maple ridge but it is not directed towards issues of ABA.

Hope this helps,
Michelle

[Anna Aquino]

Yes! There is support available. ;-) I would contact Jenny Obando. I believe she has a group going in your area. Her email is divedoc@telus.net

She has been a tremendous resource and the generous giver of support and information for my family not only in the start but up until now.

Good luck!

Warmly,
ANNA

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