Strollerderby : Jenny McCarthy

From Playboy to Medical School: Jenny McCarthy Now a Doctor

JeanneSager — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:01:00 GMT

Love her or hate her, former Playboy Bunny and Singled Out host Jenny McCarthy is donning a white coat for her new role: doctor. Her voice for the fight to cure autism has earned McCarthy her medical degree from Harvard Med.

The announcement comes just as McCarthy's fifth book, co-authored with autism specialist Dr. Jerry Kartzinel, hits shelves. The work behind Healing and Preventing Autism and McCarthy's extensive research of the subject was subject of a face-off with science editor Jeffrey Kluger this week in TIME Magazine.

But it's that work that has earned McCarthy the attention of Harvard Med, one of the most respected institutions in America. They've decided to grant McCarthy the degree not as an honorary title but with full credentials. She will still have to pass the boards in order to actually practice medicine.

Does the Harvard Med. seal of approval change your opinions of McCarthy?

Image: Amazon

Special Court Says Vaccines Don't Cause Autism

Brett Singer — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:15:00 GMT

In a decision that will infuriate many parents (including readers of this web site), a special court has ruled that the MMR vaccine did not cause autism in three children.

Special Master George Hastings of the Department of Justice wrote that, "The evidence does not support the general proposition that thimerosal-containing vaccines can damage infants' immune systems." The ruling comes from The Vaccine Court Omnibus Autism Proceeding. (Aside: "Special Master"? "Omnibus"? It sounds like a comic book.)

Addressing one of the children whose parents say became autistic after receiving the MMR vaccine, Hastings said, "I further conclude that while Michelle Cedillo has tragically suffered from autism and other severe conditions, the petitioners have also failed to demonstrate that her vaccinations played any role at all in causing those problems."

There have been over 5,000 cases filed by parents seeking compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, a $2.5 billion fund that was created through a "75-cent-per-dose tax on vaccines," according to Reuters.

Everyone's least favorite vaccine guy Dr. Paul Offit hailed the decision, saying, "it's a great day for America's children when the court rules in favor of science." I think there are a few parents out there who will disagree with him.

Does this put the issue to rest? I doubt it. I myself am highly skeptical of the notion that vaccines "cause" autism, mostly because so far the studies that I have read about can't find a link between the vaccines and autism. Of course, it doesn't help the anti-vaccine movement's case that the doctor who conducted a landmark study on the matter faked his data.

I know that many of you have strong feelings on this issue. Does this court ruling change your opinion at all?

Source: Reuters

Image: USA Today via Babble

Researcher Fabricated Autism Link in Vaccine

What Does a Smile Mean? Teaching Emotions to Autistic Children

They Say: Vaccines are Safe - Take That Jenny McCarthy

New Pro Vaccine Book Author Getting Death Threats

Brett Singer — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:00:00 GMT

A lot of parents feel very strongly that vaccines cause autism. And they are very vocal about their feelings. So Dr. Paul A. Offit, author of "Autism’s False Prophets", probably expected a certain amount of resistance to a book that posits a different theory.

What he might not have anticipated are death threats.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Offit has in fact received death threats. Some members of the antivaccine movement dispute this, however. One of them is J. B. Handley, the founder of Generation Rescue (although a Google search calls it "Jenny McCarthy's Autism Organization"). Handley told the Times: "We have hundreds of fully recovered children. I’m very frustrated that Dr. Offit, who’s never treated an autistic child, is spending his time trying to refute the reality of biomedical recovery."

Offit is called "Dr. Proffit" because he created a vaccine himself and receives "millions in royalties" from it.

I have no idea if the vaccine that Dr. Offit helped create is one that is given to all children, or how much money he makes from it. If Generation Rescue's members believe that Offit's book is just self-promotion, they have a right to question his motives.

It's the fervor that I find disturbing. When you attack anyone who disagrees with you with name-calling and insults, it becomes difficult to convert anyone to your way of thinking. Numerous scientists and doctors feel that autism is a genetic condition, and there is evidence to back this up. It's not possible that there is a similar body of evidence to support the notion that vaccines are a cause of autism simply because the concept hasn't been around long enough to be studied as much as genetic causes. That isn't to say that it's impossible, or that the antivaccine crusaders are wrong. I'm only pointing out that the body of evidence isn't there.

Another reason could be the conspiracy theory version – that vaccine makers work to keep such studies from happening. Personally, I'm more inclined to believe that than I am to believe that vaccines cause autism. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but our dependence on foreign oil is partly fueled (no pun intended) by an automobile industry that doesn't want to make electric cars. (That's an oversimplification; my point is that sometimes even the weirdest-sounding conspiracy theories can be at least partly true.)

There was a time when doctors told us that smoking was healthy. Or that eating lots and lots of red meat was a great idea. So yes, sometimes doctors and the entire medical industry make mistakes. And Dr. Offit does sound a tad smarmy in the Times article: "I’ll speak at a conference, say, to nurses. But I wouldn’t go into a bookstore and sign books. It can get nasty. There are parents who really believe that vaccines hurt their children, and to them, I’m incredibly evil. They hate me." And, referring to the vaccine he helped create: "When Jonas Salk invented polio vaccine, he was a hero — and I’m a terrorist?" he jokes, referring to a placard denouncing him at a recent demonstration by antivaccine activists outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Well, polio was a bigger disease. Also, you're not funny. But maybe that's doctor humor.

I suppose its possible that Dr. Offit is lying about the death threats, but I doubt it. As Dr. Gregory A. Poland, chief of vaccine research at the Mayo Clinic, says in the Times piece, "a few years ago this ceased to be a civil scientific discourse and became about crucifying individuals." The key word there is "civil". Parents can get very emotional when their children are involved; I know I can get a little crazy when anyone is doing something that I feel is harmful to my kid. But I've learned that I get better results when I calm down and try to figure out the best way to solve whatever the problem is. It's not about expressing my anger or frustration. It's about getting something done. If someone really and truly feels that vaccines, which are given to millions of babies every single day, are a cause of autism, that is a very serious charge. It should be taken seriously by those making the claim. If you want to convince someone that what you believe is true, calling them names and making threats is not a good way to do it.

Source: NY Times

Image: Amazon

Pregnant Woman Arrested For Fighting At Chuck E. Cheese

U.S. Children's Health - Biggest Study Ever

On Jett Travolta, Howard Stern Gets It Right

New Study Says Autism is Environmental

In Light of Jett Travolta Tragedy, The Truth About Kawasaki Syndrome

Best of FameCrawler: Week of October 24th

Whit Honea — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Lil' Wayne Welcomes Lil' Baby

Brad's Nearly Nudes Of Angelina

Alec Baldwin Praises Sarah Palin?

Is Someone Trying To Out Will Smith?

Obama Dances On Ellen

Jenny McCarthy: My Son Is Cured of Autism

Guess Who Is Having Twins?

Jennifer Aniston Pregnant with John Mayer's Baby!

Lil Wayne's Baby Mama Revealed & It's NOT Nivea!!!

Mark Wahlberg Threatens Andy Samberg, Also Talks to Animals (Video)

John McCain Snubbed Jenny McCarthy on Autism

SunnyChanel — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:31:00 GMT

Jenny McCarhty and John McCain share more than the same initials and a McCa in their names. They both believe that there is a correlation between vaccines and autism. Back in March, McCain said "It's indisputable that autism is on the rise among children... The question is, What's causing it? And we go back and forth, and there's strong evidence that indicates that it's got to do with a preservative in vaccines."

The actress Jenny McCarthy has claimed that the MMR vaccine, that’s supposed to immunize kids against measles, mumps and rubella was what changed her healthy, attentive and affectionate six-year-old son, he was later diagnosed with autism.

Since she shared the much debated opinion that vaccines and autism are linked with Senator McCain, she thought she would find a kindred spirit. McCarthy reached out to the Senator and him and his team agreed to the meet on the topic. She flew out to interview McCain in person, was prepped and ready. But McCain backed out at the last minute. Why? His campaign manger said "He's ahead in the polls, and this is too controversial, and he doesn't want to go one way or the next."

Would you have liked to have "Maverick" McCain stick to his guns on this topic?

via: Contactmusic.com

Best of FameCrawler: Week of October 3rd

Whit Honea — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Matt Bryant Plays, Honors Son (Updated)

Duggars Reveal Sex Of Baby # 18

Bill Maher Calls Sarah Palin "A Bimbo"

Sarah Silverman Is Still Doing That Baby-Making Thing With Jimmy Kimmel.

Angelina's Post Baby Body Revealed- Photos

Travis Henry Arrested

Jim Carrey Says Jenny McCarthy's Son Taught Him a Deeper Love

Jenny McCarthy Hits Back At Amanda Peet On Vaccine Issue

Chris Rock: Sarah Palin's A Hockey-Mom Version Of Kim Kardashian

Justin Timberlake Proposes To Jessica Biel! Is She Pregnant?

Sarah Palin: Miss Alaska Pageant Video

They Say: no link between autism and measles vaccine

Brett Singer — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:30:00 GMT

This news is unfortunately not likely to solve anyone's questions about whether or not vaccines are a cause of autism.

"Dr. W. Ian Lipkin of Columbia University, collaborating with a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Trinity College in Dublin, tackled the hot-button question: whether the MMR vaccine causes autism.

"'We are persuaded there is no link,' said Lipkin, director of the center on infection and immunity at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health in Manhattan."

HOWEVER…

"The study was not designed to address other rumored theories of autism's cause, such as thimerosal, the much-debated mercury-based preservative in some other vaccines, Lipkin said."

Now, as usual, the devil is in the details. The 1998 study that linked MMR vaccines to autism was based on a whopping 12 children. I'm no scientist (nor have I played one on TV) but that doesn't sound like a very large sample base.

For this new study, "Lipkin and colleagues searched for traces of genetic material linked to the virus in intestinal tissue taken from 25 children with autism and gastrointestinal problems. They compared the samples to those from 13 children without autism but with intestinal problems. In 24 of the group of 25 and in 12 of the 13, there was no evidence of viral persistence, leading researchers to conclude the vaccine did not cause autism or gastrointestinal problems." So it’s a larger group of kids. Not that many, but on the surface it sounds more valid.

HOWEVER…

Why not do a study on thimerosal, which contains, as Jenny McCarthy calls it, "frickin' mercury"? Wouldn't that be, like, actually useful?

In theory, this study will put to rest parents' fears about this particular vaccine. Of course, as the great Homer Simpson once said, communism works -- in theory. In other words, I doubt this news will do anything to change anybody's mind one way or the other.

source: Newsday

image: timesonline.typepad.com

Creepiest spam message ever: "we have hijacked your baby"

Retarded movie boycott

Upcoming Sesame Street Guests

Warner Bros. sues over Hari Puttar film

Revenge of the Baseball Gods-Little League Scandal Revisited

Do kids do better on tests if they get paid?

Palin family online - real or fake?

Sarah Palin, Sportscaster

Man ejected from Yankee Stadium for lack of patriotism

McCain, Palin oppose teen pregnancy aid and sex education

Nasty Surprise in McDonalds Burger

Upcoming Sesame Street Guests

Brett Singer — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

If you can't stand to watch one more episode of 'Sesame Street' that you've already seen 250 times, help is on the way!

PBS might be killing off Fred Rogers, but at least the new season of 'Street' started yesterday, with special guests Jack Black and Feist. The Feist video has already racked up 750,000 views on YouTube since being posted about a month ago. Here are some of the other celebrities who will do time with Elmo and the rest:

* Neil Patrick Harris (8.12): I'm guessing more 'Doogie Howser' than 'Harold and Kumar', but who knows.
UPDATE: Here's a video preview of Neil as - hang on - the Fairy Shoe Person. No. Really.

* Heidi Klum (8.14): According to New York Magazine, Klum's exchange with Elmo is "Sexually charged," with the E man telling Seal's wife, "Ms. Heidi is very pretty." As far as we know, Seal did not whup his little monster butt.

* Jenny McCarthy (8.15): I have a question, and don't take this the wrong way. But if Jenny hadn't become an ambassador for autism, would she be appearing on 'Sesame Street'? I'm not saying that this is part of some master plan, just wondering. I also wonder if this is the first time a former Playboy centerfold has visited the Street. (Vanessa Williams doesn't count since she didn't plan on being in Playboy. Jenny was Playmate of the Year.)

* Will Arnett (8.18): 'Arrested Development' fans rejoice! According to Mike, 'AD' even had a character named Franklin in honor of the dearly departed Roosevelt Franklin, making this an above average booking.

* Jason Taylor (8.20): After 'Dancing with the Stars', this guy is really going places.

* David Beckham (8.22): This guy, who is he again? Maybe this will be what he needs to really break through to the big time.

* LL Cool J (9.22): I hope this is old-school 'I can't live without my RADIO!' LL. I would also accept 'Elmo said knock you out!'

* Chandra Wilson (9.30): I had to look her up, but that's probably because I don't watch 'Grey's Anatomy'. Since much of the rest of the country does, I'm guessing she was a good choice.

Other future guests include new mama Jessica Alba (OH YEAH!), Molly Shannon (amusing), Patrick Warburton ('The Tick' is the greatest fake-superhero-live-action-sitcom in the history of the small screen), Feijoo Sisters (Cuban ballet dancers I'd never heard of), Jonah Hill (wearing a moustache – this seems like an odd choice but I guess he's a big deal now; I would've preferred Seth Rogen), Brian Williams (who's actually fairly amusing), Gilbert Gottfried (who's f**king hilarious but will likely not be his usually filthy self), Megan Mullally (should be fun), Randy Jackson (Gee, you think he'll say "dawg?" - yawn) and Sandra Oh (who I like, despite the fact that everyone seems to think she's ugly). New sketches too, such as "30 Rocks," "Pre-School Musical" and "Are You Smarter Than an Egg Layer."

Here's a little video to whet your appetite.

It all started when Mary needed a laxative

Kid climbs into claw game to get prizes

James Blunt loves triangles

Old Jonas Brothers CD priceless

Family Movie Night – Hairspray

More Kids Stuff I like that my kids don't care about

Kids Stuff I like that my kids don't care about

Return of the son of stuff YUPPIE parents like

More stuff YUPPIE parents like

Stuff White Parents Like

The Dark Knight -- parents strongly cautioned (to go see it)

Baby Penis Album only five bucks

PBS Dropping Mister Rogers??!!

Best of FameCrawler: Week of August 1st

Whit Honea — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Christina Aguilera On A Bed Of Roses

More Beautiful Jolie-Pitt Family Photos!

Tom Cruise Named In Scientology Lawsuit

Federline is SHOCKED at Britney!

Miley Cyrus: Saying Goodbye To Hannah Montana?

What Actor Was Not Nice in Nice?

Formal McCarthyism

Who's Pregnant But Not Admitting It?

Britney's Bikini Photos Leaked!

Sarah Jessica and Matthew Broderick: EX In The City?

Top Five Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Kate Hudson and Eric Lindros, Already

Best of FameCrawler: Week of June 6th

Whit Honea — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Green Our Vaccines: Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy Get Political

Charlie Sheen & Brooke Mueller Wedding Pictures

Demi Moore - Pregnant Bloat or Bad Dress?

Nicole Richie, Making Babies Appear Older

A Denise Richards F*@king Moment

Angelina's Twins Will Arrive Early

Angelina Vanity Fair Photos Will Leave. You. Breathless.

Sarah Larson's Biological Clock Ticked Too Loudly For George Clooney?

Denise Wants to Play Nice?

Remember Violet and Jennifer?

The Best of FameCrawler: Feb. 15 Edition

Whit Honea — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Is Katie Holmes Pregnant?

Jennifer Garner Pregnant?

Nelly Furtado Pregnant!

Jenny McCarthy Pregnant?

Kathleen Turner to Nic Cage: I'm Sorry, You Big Crybaby

Indiana Jones Trailer: That's What I'm Talkin' About

Ryan Reynolds: Future DILF?

What's Up Gwyneth's Bum?

Janet Jackson Wants A Baby. Someday.

Actor Jim Carrey is "Autism Whisperer"

Rachael Brownell (Redsy) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:03:00 GMT

Jenny McCarthy declares her boyfriend Jim Carrey is a gifted communicator when it comes to her autistic son Evan. According to McCarthy, her son and her boyfriend share a language together. And for that and because her son feels safe around Jim Carrey, she calls him the "Autism Whisperer." The two men in McCarthy's life forged a surprisingly strong bond early on.

McCarthy describes her journey with autism in her latest book "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism." For those who may remember Jenny from her boob-flashing bad acting days, she's a surprisingly talented writer (her book about pregnancy and childbirth is laugh-out-loud funny). McCarthy is thrilled to have met a man who can love and understand her child. That her child has autism makes Carrey seem even more valiant. But he's the lucky one, if you ask me.

Men like Brad Pitt and Jim Carrey have learned something important: The way to a woman's heart is through loving and understanding and caring for her children...

"Indigos," "Crystals" & Jenny McCarthy: Have You Heard About This?!?

Alisyn — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:31:00 GMT

I stumbled across a blurb about Jenny McCarthy and her autistic son, Evan, the other day. I discovered that Jenny identifies as an "Indigo adult," and considers her son a "Crystal child." You are probably wondering, as was I: what exactly does that mean? Upon further reading and research, I discovered a huge amount of online information about Indigos and Crystals, and the belief that "indigo/crystal phenomenon is the next step in our evolution as a human species."

Want to know more? Keep reading, but be warned: I'm about to drop some serious metaphysical shit on you. For real.

Following a link in the Jenny McCarthy blurb, I jumped over to IndigoMoms.com - "hosted" by Jenny - an online community forged to support and educate those who believe that they, and/or their kids, are Indigos or Crystals, which are defined as: awakened and enlightened Master Souls who carry with them Divine wisdom and Universal Truths. They are here as a soul group to share their gifts, insights, and vision, which help to energetically shift the Earth’s frequency, as well as, raise the consciousness of all of humanity. They are the Trailblazers, and Spiritual Warriors, who are here to breakdown and remove old paradigm systems and beliefs, which no longer serve the greater good. They are the reminders of who we are and from where we came."

These "master souls" are broken down into two groups: Indigos and Crystals. Indigos have a "warrior spirit" - they are extremely bright, hypersensitive children with amazing memories who live instinctively, and often start out as colicky babies. These kids are often diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD, are non-conforming, "energy-tapping," and highly-intelligent kids who have trouble with authority figures. Crystal children are their opposite, characterized as being dreamy, detatched and loving, with magnetic, peaceful personalities. They are born with a strong desire to help others, and may have healing powers. They are highly sensitive, and often have clothing and food aversions, including allergies. They are often austistic, O.C.D., and clairvoyant. (More on characteristics here).

Are you questioning whether your child is one of the Enlightened? You will be able to tell if your child is one by determining the color of their aura (Indigos have, well, bluish/purple auras, while Crystals' are opalescent - crystalline.) The best way for the untrained eye to determine the aura's color? Pose the subject against a white wall, while wearing a white t-shirt, and take a flash photograph.

I am not making this shit up.

Really, I'm not. In fact, for full disclosure, I must admit that I only know this much about this phenomenon because when I visited IndigoMoms.com and read the list of Indigo characteristics, I was struck by the fact that the list described my daughter. It could have been written about her specifically. So I kept reading. I was surprised to find out there are books, therapy groups, mommy & me activities, even schools, dedicated to "nurturing" these "souls" and their families, while they do their work here on Earth. There is a movement afoot, to bring these superhumans, and their "quest," into mainstream society.

So as I read on and on, I got to thinking about how powerful a parent's need to see their child as "gifted" or "special" can be. We all want to think that to a certain extent, right? I thought about how what a parent had previously believed to be difficulties or special needs of their child, could be seen as "powers" or "enlightened actions," when viewed from a slightly different angle. That belief, in itself, could be a hugely powerful tool for a child, and for a parent - I mean, how liberating would it be to see a "problem child" as a universal problem solver instead? It could be incredibly empowering for a child to see his or her "difficulties" reflected back to them as sacred gifts, instead of obstacles. But would they grow up to be in touch with the universe - or out of touch with reality? Could it be potentially damaging to tell an unusually sensitive child that it is their duty to save the world from itself? Because they do not cover that in the public school system. At least, not that I'm aware of.

So now, I'm wondering... how much of the Indigo/Crystal child philosophy is based in actual study - and how objective are the observations that lead people to classify themselves/their kids as Indigo/Crystal? Can something like this even be studied objectively, and rationally? Is there really a "new generation" of children here on Earth, to lead humanity through the gateway of the universe, or is this whole movement rooted in a desperate attempt to make sense of the difficulties of modern life? And what is up with Jenny McCarthy? At the forefront of the "movement?" Jenny McCarthy??? What the fuuuhhhhhhh......?

Although I am skeptical, I must admit - I am intrigued by this whole concept. What do you think - is this a bunch mystical malarkey, or a legitimate phenomenon? Do you, or anyone you know, identify as an Indigo or a Crystal person? Believers and non-believers alike, lay it on me.

Jenny McCarthy Blames Son For Mustache; I Blame My Mom for Mine

Alisyn — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:05:00 GMT

Pseudo-actress turned writer Jenny McCarthy blames the fact that she's "let herself go" on her four year old son, Evan.

"I look in the mirror, and I think, 'Oh my god, you've had that mustache for three weeks!" she says.

Isn't it fun to be able to blame all of the things you don't like about yourself on your kids? Unwanted hair - it's the oldest one's fault. Saggy boobs - they're your middle one's fault. That lame-ass minivan you drive - if your youngest kid hadn't shown up, you wouldn't need it!

I like to blame my lateness on my kids (I blame my mom for the unwanted hair).

I like to blame my 4-year-old daughter for her tangled, ratty hair. The blame is probably more like 60/40 on that one, though - nearly half the time I just don't care enough to wrestle a ponytail into her hair. Since she dresses like a crazy old Chinese lady who's run away from the circus, who's gonna notice her hair?

I like to blame my husband when we run out of coffee - he's the one who makes it, so he should let me know when he's used the last of it, so I can add "by coffee" to my daily to-do list, don't you think?

I like to blame the fact that I'm too lazy to make daily to-do lists on my new job as a blogger for Strollerderby.

And I like to blame our dinky little breadbox of a suburban house for the fact that I rarely host playgroup, when really... well, okay, actually, that's really is why I rarely host playgroup. But it's the house's fault for being so small, not mine, for moving into it, goddammit!

What about you? Do use your kids, partners or cramped living quarters as scapegoats? Tell me about it - come clean! It feels so right.