Book Shares True Story of How Routine Vaccine Caused Autism for Author's Son

Vallejo, CA (PRWEB) May 5, 2008 -- Author and devoted mother Barbara Coppo shares her heartrending experiences of raising a severely autistic child, whose disabilities were caused by a routine DPT vaccine, in her touching new book, "The Boy in the Window: A Journey Through an Unexpected Tragedy" (ISBN 9781600372650, Morgan-James Publishing, 2007).

When Coppo's son, Kenny, was born, he was a happy, healthy, robust child for the first 19 months of his life. But within three days of receiving his routine DPT vaccination, Kenny suffered nine seizures, and was eventually given a diagnosis of autism. Years later, during the Coppo's lawsuit against the drug company, the UCLA Medical Center determined that Kenny suffered from inflammation of the brain, caused by chemicals and toxins--most likely the mercury from the DPT vaccine--crossing the blood-brain barrier. Beyond a few simple sounds, Kenny cannot speak and has obsessive behaviors, as well as seizures.

"The Boy in the Window" offers a poignant glimpse into the Coppos' journey--filled with both heartaches and joy--since Kenny's birth. While the heartaches of Kenny's story are unending, "The Boy in the Window" also offers unexpected moments of delight, such as the breakthrough of facilitated communication with Kenny at age 17, which demonstrated his intelligence and genuine sense of humor.

The book's title was inspired by one of Kenny's favorite activities: observing people and nature from the window. "Kenny has been able to enjoy people, just by observing them. That has been a blessing because most autistic people lack that interest," Coppo says. "He will sit for hours on end, staring out the window, as if he is watching the most fascinating television show."

Raising Kenny, Coppo says, has taught her patience, humility, compassion and how precious life truly is. By sharing her journey through "The Boy in the Window," Coppo has given readers the opportunity to laugh and cry along with her and learn some of the precious life lessons she's gained as the mother of a tragically challenged son.

About the Author

Barbara Coppo resides with her family in Vallejo, CA, where she learns from and cares for Kenny every day. "The Boy in the Window" is her first book and she is currently working on a second book about Kenny titled "Starboy," about the world through Kenny's eyes.

"The Boy in the Window: A Journey Through an Unexpected Tragedy" (ISBN 9781600372650, Morgan-James Publishing, 2007) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.TheBoyInTheWindowBook.com. Publicity contact: www.ReaderViews.com. Review copies available upon request.

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