The Fight Against Mercury in Vaccines

Lujene Clark, a retired nurse, and her husband Alan, a physician, fight against the preservative thimerosol in vaccines. Their son Devin suddenly developed Asperger's Syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism, at age eight, and the Clarks are convinced it was a result of mercury in the thimerosol. The World Just Fell Out From Under Me (Salon daypass needed but worth it):

When they were studying Martin Luther King Jr. in school a few months ago, Devon's class did an art project called "I have a dream." Alan and I were walking down the hall at school one day and saw the project on the wall. The children had written, "I want to be a soldier" or "I want to be an actress" -- all the dreams children have. Then we came to the last drawing and it was Devon's. Do you want to guess what my son's dream is? His dream is to end mercury poisoning. That is not a dream that a 10-year-old should have. I sent it to several lawmakers and I wrote, "I don't have the ability to make my son's dream come true, but you do."

Talk to your legislators. This could have been, or could still be, your child. As long as you've got the day pass, hit Salon's other articles on the subject; they've got a lot there and it's right on the front page.