• Bio

Lisa Williams

y name is Lisa Williams. I have been working professonally with children and adults with special needs for 15 years. I have experience with people with Autism, Epilepsy, Cognitive Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Prader Willi Syndrome, and many other diagnoses. I became interested in this field of work at a young age. I have a sister who has a disability. I became her advocate when we were in grade school. I am old enough to remember when children with disabilities went to different schools. I was there when my sister was the first student with a disability to attend our grade school. I was there when the teachers didn't know how to care for her, and I was called out of my class several times a day to tend to her needs. I was there when she fell down the steps at school, and I was there when a ramp was put up to assist her. I think it was that ramp that got me "ramped up" about working in this field. To be in a posiion to effect change for people with disabilities has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I assist families in navigating through the incredibly complex funding systems. In addition to my position as Associate Director for a National company, I am a member of a Disabilty Awareness Work Group that educates the community about people with disabilities. I can't think of a greater way to earn a living!

Becoming a parent comes with so many responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is making healthcare decisions on your child’s behalf. For the last 20 years, my career has been dedicated to supporting people with disabilities and their families. I have met hundreds of families. It is not uncommon for a mother to say, "my baby was fine. She was meeting her milestones. After she got a shot she got a high fever, had seizures and has never been the same." I am not a medical professional. You can do a google search and find evidence and testimony to validate whichever side of the controversy you lean towards. 

I had my first child 7 years ago. I was really torn about vaccinations. On one hand, the shots protect against vey serious childhood illness. On the other hand, the recommended shot schedule fills tiny little bodies with many chemicals and viruses at the same time. Can that really be safe? (That was my biggest question). I was so fortunate to meet the man who became our family doctor. He is a homeopathic doctor who is in support of childhood vaccines. But he let me know we have options. After discussing pros and cons with our doctor, we agreed on a delayed schedule. We chose to start vaccinations at age two. We chose to do only one vaccine series at a time (for some reason it comforted me to have as little co-mingling of chemicals and viruses as possible). This schedule assures that our children have all of the required vaccinations in time to start kindergarten. (Each state has different vaccination laws regarding public school).

My intention is not to persuade you to either side of the controversy. My intention is to let you know that you have options. You will not be told of your options unless you bring it up to your child’s healthcare provider. Do your research. Talk to your Pediatrician. Most will give you pressure to follow the APA shot schedule, but please know that you don’t have to. 

Proud can find the ingredients in each vaccine by doing a simple google search.