For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website:
Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were ...
Read More about Ask Tamara: How do you get Lead dust out of laundry? (And toys… concrete patios, or furniture?)
Recent & Important Articles:
December 2014 Letter to the Portland Public Schools Special Education Representative in response to PPS not offering FAPE to our disabled child.
This is a note my husband Len sent out in December to the people on our IEP team - specifically regarding the behavior of Jeff Brown - the SPED rep for our section of the school district.
On Dec 7, 2014, at 1:15 PM, Len Rubin wrote:
Jeff,
In our most recent IEP meeting with you and Avi’s team ...
Read More about December 2014 Letter to the Portland Public Schools Special Education Representative in response to PPS not offering FAPE to our disabled child.
A Dad’s Perspective: Autism vs. Lead Poisoning
Originally written May 24, 2015
Updated (just the images!) December 2, 2019
Today is my birthday; I’m 57 years old.
I mention this not to solicit “Happy Birthday” e-mails – but to illustrate there is not a single day that goes by in our life where Lead poisoning and its impacts are not ...
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My Take on the “V” Word
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For those new ...
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Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”
For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website:
Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her four sons were ...
Read More about Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”
Avi’s Tenth Birthday (originally posted in 2015)
Originally Posted: January 29, 2015
David “Avi” Benjamin Rubin is ten years old today.These have been the most challenging ten years of my life.
In August 2005 Avi was just seven-months old when he was poisoned by the work of painting contractor who did not use lead-safe work practices in ...
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January 12, 2015, Adventure Day #6 – Hawaii
"Visiting my mother - To get the boys away from their negative/ destructive routines and habits and address some of their physical and mental health issues...Day 6"
Today was probably one of my most challenging days of parenting - but I learned so much (and will probably need to expound upon this ...
Read More about January 12, 2015, Adventure Day #6 – Hawaii
January 8, 2015, Adventure Day #2
Just a quick few thoughts on the second day of our adventure.
Here's Avi's leg - people had asked to see the progress. The progress in one day seems miraculous really, but time will tell if it actually gets better or if this is just a slight improvement from being in the salt-water and the ...
Read More about January 8, 2015, Adventure Day #2
January 7, 2015, Adventure Day #1
At the airport - saying goodbye to daddy... headed on a 6-hour flight to Granny's to see if we can:
1) help Avi's plaque psoriasis / get him better or at least stabilized &
2) focus on some Mama/Charlie time to see if an extended stay away from home (and away from the "regular routines") ...
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I don’t like the parent I’ve become.
Written / Published: August 18, 2014
I don't like the parent I've become.
I don't like the parent I've become.
Afraid.
Afraid of taking my kids out in public.
Afraid of how they'll act.
Afraid of what they'll do.
Afraid of how others will perceive them.
Afraid of how others ...
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Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?
Christine posted on Facebook (6/23/2014):
"What do you do once you find lead paint?? I tested last night and found some deteriorating on the front door jamb and I'm so worried about my 2 year old and 3 month old! I can't afford to hire a contractor. Would painting over it be ...
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Q: Should Adults Get Tested?
I posted out about getting tested when you are pregnant (on Facebook.)
This is Dawn's comment/ question (6/23/2014):
No, I never thought of it [getting a blood lead level test while pregnant.] Before I discovered you I only thought we were exposed to lead via chipping paint. The Organic Mom ...
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#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?
#AskTamara
Originally published: June 18, 2014
QUESTION from Cristen (via Facebook)
My ND suggested that if I was nervous about having my 3yo and 5yo lead tested (due to the finger stick...I'm pretty sure my 5yo would cry, and my 3yo would FREAK the hell out, major trauma...) that she would do ...
Read More about #AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?
#AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?
Originally Published June 18, 2014
Question from June 8, 2014 from Sarah (Via Facebook.)
QUESTION:
Dear Tamara,
Hello! So update: we bought some lead testing kits and tested all of my daughters toys. Nothing came up BUT we randomly tested our water pipes and bingo! It looks like the ...
Read More about #AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?
