Since we've only recently moved to Colorado, I'm still looking for employment. When you are not in an office, chatting with colleagues during breaks at the water cooler, you might find yourself taking breaks with TV shows like Oprah. I know her program is in its last season and they probably have all of their shows planned but I decided to submit my suggestion for a show idea anyway. Here's the letter I sent:
Dear Oprah,
I have suffered with Type 1 diabetes since I was a young child. That means over 20 years of shots and pricking my fingers multiple times a day. I will never be able to overcome this condition because my own immune system killed my ability to make a hormone called insulin. Diabetes will shorten my life due to complications related to my condition. I am often frustrated by medical bills, dietary restrictions, and the unrelenting effort I must put into living every day and night without complications. None-the-less, I realize my type of autoimmune disease is treatable, and really, I have it "easy". After reading the "The Autoimmune Epidemic", by Donna Jackson Nakazawa, I realize my immune system could have done a great deal more damage. Allergies, Arthritis, Lupus and Autism are all caused by our own body’s immune system. Because there are so many contributing causes to autoimmune conditions it is a difficult science to gain support for research efforts. Considering the diversity of conditions caused by the immune system, and the cost of treating life long conditions, the problem is an epidemic in our country. Genetics is a contributing factor in developing the conditions but I know environment is a stronger factor because I am the only Type 1 diabetic out of 30 first cousins, 14 aunts and uncles, and 4 grandparents. Recently there has been a great deal of debate over immunizations and chemicals we knowingly, and unknowingly, use in our homes, food, and daily life. Highly educated people passionately support both sides of this debate. My own large extended family often debates the issues related to this topic. Because autoimmune conditions are so diverse, I think this issue will pertain to many viewers. What can a person do in their daily life to hopefully prevent an autoimmune related condition? What can we push science to research so government can improve regulations regarding how immunizations are administered and chemicals are used in product production? Why are all first world nations dealing with this epidemic and how can we prevent developing nations from encountering the same problem? Are there answers to these questions or are autoimmune conditions too diverse to find solutions? Donna Jackson Nakazawa’s book addresses these questions and she would be an excellent guest on your show. Thank you for inspiring your viewers and readers.
I have a cousin-in-law who strongly believes immunizations are the cause for many autoimmune conditions. She is fighting school requirements for immunizations, closely monitoring the foods her children consume, and researching all chemicals used in products she puts in her house. When her 3 year old daughter was celebrating a friend’s birthday she told the friend she couldn't have gummi bears on her ice cream because they have artificial colors in them. Can you imagine a 3 year old saying 'artificial colors'?
Another cousin is very passionately battling the anti-immunization movement. She is a Vice Principal at a private school and has worked to make certain the private school will not enroll students who haven't been immunized. She told me she believes the children who aren't immunized become a threat to everyone else at the school. These two cousins are sisters-in-law and their strong beliefs put a great deal of tension on their family gatherings.
One of the most frustrating aspects of my condition is not knowing the exact cause(s). If you aren't familiar with type 1 diabetes, I will tell you I have never been overweight, I have always been physically active, and my diabetes was not caused by my diet. I happen to believe one of the contributing factors to my developing type 1 diabetes was the soup of immunizations I was given before moving overseas when I was young. I strongly believe we have thrown our immune systems into limbo by sterilizing everything we touch while constantly introducing new foreign substances into our bodies that the immune system hasn't been designed to deal with. When immune systems were evolving no one ever experienced measles, mumps, and rubella all at once. The immunization combination forces our immune system to deal with more than we're designed to deal with and many times it will go haywire and overreact. Our bodies are very adaptable and can handle a great deal of strain but the more and more we introduce to our environment, the less our bodies are able to adjust without overreacting. If the changes had been introduced at rate adaptation could handle, then our bodies may be able to deal with the change more efficiently. Everyone's body is unique and it can take varying generations to exhibit the reactions to these changes in our families. Everyone has been conditioned to fear something else attacking their body but now the epidemic is happening because our own body attacks itself. When do the statistics show the chances of contracting rubella isn’t as high, or maybe as dangerous, as dealing with some of the existing autoimmune conditions? When does the cost of treating life-long conditions outweigh the cost of dealing with an outbreak of measles?
I certainly hope science can one day combine efforts and find the best balance of keeping us healthy while preventing further problems from developing. By spreading the word, science may one day receive the public support needed to receive funding to find solutions to these numerous conditions.
If you're interested, you should view this video (not the highest quality but very interesting) it's about 55 minutes long:
Donna Jackson Nakazawa, introduced by Douglas A. Kerr, MD, PhD