After posting that, I sent the following email to Dr. Healy through the web-based interface at US News and World Report, where she works.  I sent the following:

I have some questions for Dr. Bernadine Healy. I would appreciate it if you could forward this to her.

Dr. Healy, I have followed your coverage of the autism/vaccine question closely. I found some of your statements about the IOM and their report and recommendations somewhat troubling as they call into question the motivations and intent of IOM in its approach to and conclusions from the 2004 report on vaccines and autism. Given the serious nature of your assertions, I approached the IOM directly for a comment on the process and conclusions. I have quoted it below:

http://autismlibrary.org/blog/asking-the-iom-for-clarification/

Would you be able to comment on how your statements can be reconciled with the IOM’s stated methods? Is there anything more substantial to your assertions than what is already in print? Because, I will state frankly, what I see are assertions on your part. They have been left unsubstantiated for too long. The effect they have on the autism community are great and we deserve more than assertions.

I appreciate your time in this matter.

Since that time, Mr. Dan Olmsted at the Age of Autism made a blog post entitled, “Tell it to Dr. Healy”. He also added a permanent page to their blog with video of the Dr. Healy interview.

Well, I find it interesting, as I did “tell it to Dr. Healy”.

It’s been two weeks since I sent the email. It appears that “telling it to Dr. Healy” results in no response.

Dr. Healy’s comments add to the erosion of confidence in our trusted institutions.  The Age of Autism is correct that this is a big issue–big enough that Dr. Healy and Sharyl Attkisson should have supported what are merely assertions.  As a journalist, I would expect that Dan Olmsted should see that major weakness in the interview.  Perhaps he does, but he doesn’t even mention it.

If I recall correctly, the Court of Federal Claims (a part of which is the “vaccine court”) is soon to hold their annual Judicial Conference.  Dr. Healy was supposed to participate as a panelist and Sharyl Attkisson was supposed to be the moderator of a session on the autism/vaccine debate and the media.

In many ways, I wish that this session had not been cancelled.  Had Dr. Healy made her usupported statements again and had Sharyl Attkisson handled the discussion with the same lack of objectivity that appears in her journalism, the Special Masters would have seen it easily.  Yes, certain groups would have made great hay out of this, but in front of an educated audience like the Judical Conference, I’ll put Arthur Allen with facts and science against clearly biased moderator and a doctor with clearly unsupported assertions any day.

What if you have a bigger kid, adolescent or adult and still need a trike? One good option is a trike from Rhino.

These are mondo trikes. Sorry, I just don’t have a better word for it. They are built big and strong, even the little ones. They are designed for people up to 500lbs. They can tow trailers (which they make!)

They make three sizes

Junior

Rhino Junior Trike

Large

Large Rhino Trike

And adult

Rhino Super Large (Adult) Trike

These are, as said above, BIG trikes. The “large” fits a small adult. Take careful measure of what you expect the seat-pedal distance will need to be.

The seats have some adjustability, so you can move them back a little as the rider grows.

They are handbuilt, so they are not cheap (either in build or cost).  They start at about $250 for the Junior and go up to over $300 for the super large.

One very cool feature is the ability to have a backrest.

Rhino trike with trailer and backrest

Check if the backrest can be added as an add-on. They can be added at purchase, and they are built into the seat. The backrest gives the rider something to push against while pedaling (and some OT’s may want you to not do this!) It also gives you a nice platform to sit in while stopped. So, you can pedal up to a neighbor, stop, have a comfortable chat, and move one.

One issue to talk with the sales people about is the gap between the seat and the backrest. There is enough of a gap in the Large trike I’ve seen that a smaller person might not get as much out of the backrest.

Another consideration is shipping. These cost a lot to ship. Keep this in mind when ordering: you want to get it right the first time so you don’t have to return.

One tricycle that fits both a lot of younger kids and can grow for older kids is the “Trikester” by Trek.

Here it is in blue:

Trikester in Blue

and in pink

Trikester in pink

Trek makes mountain bikes and regular bikes. This trike uses tubing that looks like a regular bike. There is a platform on the back where a bigger kid could stand and use it more like a scooter (be careful with really big kids–like mom’s and dad’s, it is tempting but not really designed for you!)

One of the best parts is that the seat can be moved back–take a look at the picture. See those holes in the top tube where the seat is fastened to the bike? You can move the seat back as your kid grows and increase the seat-pedal distance.

Also, this trike has big, fat tires making it like a all-terrain trike!

It’s worth a look at least. See if you have a Trek dealer nearby so you can check it out.