Additions and Subtractions

    Man, am I happy to see 2009 go. Personally, last year felt like it would never end.  I’m always optimistic when a new year starts. For me it feels like we’re all hitting the reset button and we get to start laying the groundwork for a new project.
    At Spectrum 2009 saw some changes. Going forward we won’t have two mainstays with us anymore as Eric Chessen and Rosalba Maistoru ended their tenures after five plus years with the magazine. We wish them good luck in their new endeavors. For us, it was hard to part with two people who have been with our family for so long.
    This issue marks the debut of Chantal Sicile-Kira who is one of the most accomplished autism/journalist/moms in the business. Years of service to our community through her books and advocacy work speak for themselves. Her next release, 41 Things to Know about Autism, will be available on March 25.  Chantal will be giving us glimpses of her life as an autism mom, but more importantly writing about how to transition your child through each stage of life.
  I’m also excited to report the release of Dan Olmsted’s debut book coming this fall with Mark Blaxill. Contributor Kim Stagliano is poised for her book release coming this fall as well. 
    We’re excited about the new year as our staff continues to bring you the latest within our community.

Person of the Year
    Lyn Redwood is our person of the year. There I said it. I’ve been holding out for almost two months. It’s good to let the cat out of the bag. When we

first began working on the vaccine/autism controversy years ago, Spectrum did not have to go far to find the information we needed. For the last decade, Lyn has been the voice of reason to both sides of the controversy. She has always maintained the objectivity needed to bring her plight to the masses. The autism community often gets criticized as anti-vaccine fanatics; my answer to them is: speak to Lyn Redwood. After one conversation you’ll realize that autism moms aren’t unreasonable and irrational people. Lyn has always been warm, smart and patient. Her work speaks for itself. In 2009 Lyn went above and beyond once again. Read our coverage beginning with Dan Olmsted on page 16.
    I want to thank the readers for another fantastic year of support. I also want to thank our staff at Spectrum for pulling through while I was faced with some hard times. Each time they have been tested through the years they come through even stronger than the last. Without them I’d be lost.