Yuma family at center of national autism case awaits ruling

For the Cedillo family, their personal struggle for their daughter's health has become a public cause that could affect thousands of families dealing with autism.

The Cedillos are one of about 4,900 families involved in an omnibus lawsuit against the government, through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Every story is unique but they share many similarities: a child, usually a toddler in the 1990s, was developing normally until they received a routine vaccine. Shortly after, the child was diagnosed with autism - a brain development disorder that impairs social reaction and communication.

This is the story laid out in Cedillo v. Secretary of Health and Human Services, which was chosen as a test case from those 4,900. It is the story of Michelle Cedillo, a 13-year-old Yuma girl whose case has become a landmark in the question of what causes autism.

'She started to change'

Her mother, Theresa Cedillo, said Michelle was developing normally until she was 1-1/2-years old.

"She interacted with us. She played normal, compared to how she played after ... She ate and drank normal, she had nothing wrong with her bowels. She responded and interacted with us. She met her milestones with crawling, sitting, eye-contact, walking. Those were all the normal developmental milestones," Theresa Cedillo said.

But then, in 1995, Michelle was taken into the doctor for a routine measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Seven days later, her mother said she developed a fever. At the time her parents dismissed it as a case of the flu but they said they soon noticed Michelle was not the same girl she had been.

"From that point on she started to change. She no longer responded to us, she didn't respond to her toys. She didn't want to be held," Theresa Cedillo said.

Michelle was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism and her parents believe the vaccine was the cause.

The government contends there is no proof Michelle's problems, or those of other autistic children, were caused by the vaccine. Scientific research has not made any final conclusion. Studies by the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Institute of Medicine have concluded that vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorders.

But researchers are still looking for autism's causes. Some have found that a child born with certain genetic mutations is more likely to develop autism than one without the mutations.

Kevin Conway of Boston's Conway, Homer and Chin-Caplan, the family's attorney, believes they've made a strong case that the vaccine contributed in Michelle's case.

"We don't have to show scientific certainty, just legal probably," Conway said. "I think that we've submitted sufficient evidence to prove the case. There's a lot of controversy around this issue."

'These affects are devastating'

The Cedillos testified before three special masters in June 2007, in a 400-seat courtroom in the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. The litigation process following that is a long one of briefs by both sides. Conway said there will probably not be a ruling until this fall.

In another case in November 2007, in the case of 9-year-old Hannah Poling, the government conceded that vaccines "significantly aggravated" the Georgia girl's underlying illness, predisposing her to symptoms of autism. But they also claimed that was due to a unique condition in the girl.

The Cedillo case would be the first time a court has ruled on a link between vaccines and autism.

It would also grant Michelle significant compensation that would pay for her medical care for the rest of her life. This, her parents say, is what they really want.

"There'd be a very, very substantial award, because these affects are devastating," Conway said.

Michelle's medical needs are substantial. She requires 24-hour care for medical problems that range from seizures to arthritis to osteoporosis. She wears diapers and has to get nourishment through a feeding tube, and her parents say she will probably never be able to take care of herself.

Mike Cedillo said his insurance pays for some of her medical care but they still paid $20,000 above that for her care in 2006. They also have to make frequent trips to see specialists in California, which adds more costs for travel and gas.

He said the process of testifying in Washington was difficult for the family but they are willing to do whatever it takes.

The case has gained national attention due to its implications. The Cedillos were featured in the July 2007 issue of "People Magazine" and on CNN's series this month for Autism Awareness Month.

"It was overwhelming but, when it comes to Michelle, it just kind of gives you the courage to defend her any way you can. Stand up for her, what you think is right," Mike Cedillo said.

Despite what they've been through, Theresa Cedillo said she does not want to dissuade parents from getting their children vaccinated. She said they just want answers, and assurance their daughter will get the care she needs.

"One thing we hope is to get the care that we need for Michelle," Theresa Cedillo said.

---
Sarah Reynolds can be reached at sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.