Letter in Response From The US Autism Ambassador
to the Kirkman Article
I am appalled at the shoddy tactics used by the FDA against Kirkman
Laboratories. If this is just a labeling problem why was Kirkman Labs notified
and allowed to ramify the verbiage utilized for this product? Kirkman Labs is
one of the few Laboratories making wheat and gluten free products for
individuals with autism and food allergies, we should stand behind them and
commend them for their wonderful products aiding millions of individuals around
the world.
It is a well known fact that many individuals with autism have food allergies.
Most doctors, FDA, APA, NIH, and CDC all are aware of this and that products
MUST be made to accommodate their needs. Kirkman Laboratories was doing just
that. One might even ask the question, What does the FDA hope to gain from
charging in and raiding this Lab? The answers would be simple, to slow them
down, to try to take control of the supplement market, or even to make an
example of them so that others may not try to accommodate products that are
wheat and gluten free, or simply to yet again scare the autism community so that
they will revert back to traditional medicine.
Over the past year or so these groups with interests are finding that more and
more individuals with autism are steering away from the traditional methods to
treat autism. This could scare them since they are also financially tied to
those manufactures that make the prescribed drugs utilized for autism that are
being pushed on individuals with autism. These agencies have also tried to
create and craft legislation that would stop, regulate, and change the
supplement and minerals that your could receive. Thank goodness these have not
passed yet to date.
Now if you understand food allergies to wheat and gluten you also understand
that wheat and gluten are not just in foods. They are in shampoos, toothpaste,
hand soap, many cleaning supplies, vitamins, minerals, and yes also in
prescribed drugs utilized for autism.
For instance your US Autism CO-Ambassador, Joyce Minor's youngest son with
autism hyperventilates, which can be associated with autism but can be rare. We
struggled for two years trying to find out what caused this. We knew all of the
wheat and gluten was out of his diet, he had all of his soaps and such that did
not contain wheat and gluten...so we checked his Prescribed medicines. Wesley
was on PAXIL....This product contained wheat and gluten an offender to him. Yet
no one knew it and continued to prescribe it to him. Once we found this offender
and weaned him off he no longer hyperventilates.
I believe the FDA would be better to ban the use of wheat and gluten as a
preservative in medicines due to the millions out there with allergies to these,
then to pick on Kirkman Labs for a wording issue.
The reason I brought this up is if most/all individuals with autism have food
allergies....who will take the prescribed drugs utilized for autism when they
realize they are offenders to the allergies? NOT MANY, they stand to loose
money. Do not kid yourself their are so many financial ties to these companies
it would make your head spin trying to weed out who is not tied.
Kirkman Laboratories have many wonderful products, they have helped our family
to regain my child with autism. She now has a wonderful chance at a great life.
I commend you for what you are doing for our children and hope you continue to
bring us these quality products.
If a label revision is needed to comply why were they not given the chance to do
so. Why was a raid necessary, for media attention? To scare the public into not
using these products. I think all those who use these products know first hand
how much their loved ones has gained. I have been fortunate to use these
products with my own daughter with autism. I was never once told they were a
cure. The words "To Treat" could also mean to aid in helping or handling the
symptoms of a disorder. Many other medicines do less but yet are almost pushed
on individuals with autism.
In my opinion this was only a shoddy attempt to dishearten the people as we seen
last year with DR Andy Wakefield yet another professional who stood up for the
autism community. These professionals are standing up and behind the autism
community, as we should stand behind them. I personally will call the Director
of Kirkman Laboratories on Monday for a press statement and to formally
apologize for the behavior of these so called professionals.
I hope the autism community will stand up as they have against vaccines and once
again stand up for Kirkman Laboratories stand behind them for the wonderful
products that they make to help us keep our children healthy without the use of
Paxil, Prozac and other prescribed drugs that only fog our loved ones minds
instead of helping them.
Thank You Kirkman Laboratories and keep up the good work on behalf of those with
autism!
Peacefully,
LD Wedewer, US Autism Ambassador
USAutismAmbasadr@aol.com
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