Letters and Comments

My perfectly healthy 19-year-old daughter began having problems within 24 hours of the vaccine [Gardasil Side Effects? Parents Seek Answers, usnews.com]. She had her first seizure two weeks later. She has not been diagnosed with epilepsy and nobody knows why she is having seizures. They increased after the second shot, and she had them daily for months. She also had multiple other problems including, hair loss, severe stomach aches, migraines, vision problems, bleeding gums, fatigue, body aches and pains, kidney infection, two UTIs [urinary tract infections], joint pain, tremors. None of which she had prior to Gardasil. She was hospitalized multiple times and all tests were normal. We did not get the third shot. We continue to deal with her symptoms, fortunately after a year of this her seizures have spread out and the last one was three months ago. We continue to test for problems as the symptoms still persist. I know Gardasil is to blame.

Comment by Leslie of NM

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I recommend Chattanooga, Tenn., with its mild winters, mountains, streams, lakes, and a wide variety of dining, cultural, and outdoor activities [10 Affordable Places to Retire, usnews.com]. Chattanooga's low cost of living, excellent medical facilities, wide range of services are icing on the cake. There must be a reason Chattanooga is appearing on a lot of top 10 lists.

Comment by Tom of TN

I've lived in Pittsburgh, and it is affordable. It's a great place to live if you can take the gloomy weather. It's that great combination of small town/big city. Unfortunately, the American Lung Association listed it as the No. 1 worst city for short-term air pollution and No. 2 worst for long-term air pollution in 2008. This is the first time a city outside of California has received this unwanted distinction. Also, property taxes are quite high while there is no sales tax on food, clothing, or laundry supplies. As with all "Best" and "Most" lists, there is much more to consider than the article's topic.

Comment by J K Sherbak of UT

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Call us crazy, but parents who care will try anything if there is even a glimmer of hope [4 Promising Autism Treatments, From Vitamin B12 to Alzheimer's Drug Namenda, usnews.com]. Biomedical works. My wife and I watch a young boy with autism. He has come a long way in just two years. He couldn't talk at first, and now he is a little chatter box. All I can tell you is that the more one-on-one treatment, the better for these children. He is very bright and special. We love him very much; he brings nothing but joy to us. The more love and attention the better he responds. He has good days and bad days but the more structured and uniform, the better.

Comment by John Holzer of FL

The only research validated treatment for autism to date treats behavioral and learning characteristics. That treatment is based on the techniques of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Some states have passed insurance laws mandating coverage for ABA treatment. It will be great when these treatments with biomedical promise are subjected to double blind studies or at least enjoy a vast body of case study and single subject design studies that would lead one to conclude that they are effective. Until then, parents shouldn't waste their money on treatments that purport a cure when they have not been adequately tested.

Comment by Rhonda of SC

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Americans are no longer subjects of the British monarchy ["Michelle Obama Touches Queen Elizabeth," usnews.com]. The Queen of England may or may not follow custom as she sees fit. Americans should act in the same respectful, deferential manner which we direct toward all others; especially to the elderly. But we are not held to bowing, curtseying, addressing monarchs as "Your Highness." Speaking of all this nonsense, why in the world do Americans refer to Elton John as "Sir" Elton or Paul McCartney as "Sir"? Knights of the British realm are not titled once they enter the United States where the trappings of nobility were thrown out centuries ago. To refer to these people, no matter how gifted, as "Sir" is a mere affectation that should mean nothing to free men and women.

Comment by Dennis R. White of WA

Hooray for Michelle!! The Queen probably loved the hug ... maybe the first one she's had in years! I realize protocol is a "necessary evil" in these days, but the warmth shown by these two women should bring a smile to many in the world. We all are, after all, human beings who need to behave more humanly in these times. I applaud them both.

Comment by Charlene Hayward of OR

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