Our Autism Story: ‘Our Hearts Are Broken’

By Cindy Ward

Editor’s note: In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, we invited members of the CHD community to submit their personal stories about autism, and how it has affected them and their families.

My grandson was born normal, but after his vaccines, he got very sick. He had breathing problems. A helicopter took him to the UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

He was 2 years old. His breathing improved, but he was shortly thereafter diagnosed with autism, learning delays, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD (his doctor would not connect it to the vaccines).

My grandson was a handful for his single mother. He banged his head on windows and bit his wrists. I helped as much as I could.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the schools stayed closed in California, his mother had a nervous breakdown and was not able to take care of herself and her two children anymore. She lost her home. They moved in with their dad.

We feel guilt, remorse, anger, and sadness for trusting doctors and getting the children vaccinated.

We did not know that politicians gave big pharma a no liability policy for children’s vaccines and that anyone would put profit ahead of a child’s health and well-being.

I don’t understand. Our hearts are broken. This photo was taken during our last vacation together. I hope that my daughter’s mind returns to her and she remembers that she is my grandson’s mom and that we can all take a vacation together again.

I hope that people stop putting profit ahead of children’s health and well-being.

Our children deserve better.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Children’s Health Defense.

Do you have an autism story you’d like to share with the CHD Community for Autism Awareness Month? Click here for details.