Information helps, not hurts

Re “Maternal care -- or harm?” March 9

Leslie Udvardi may feel some vindication now that her children have been officially diagnosed with the conditions she had suspected them of having. But even if they hadn’t, wouldn’t resources have been better spent getting this overwhelmed family the help it needed to manage its troubles rather than pushing a case supported by circumstantial evidence and innuendo?

Unfortunately, the Internet provides just enough information and jargon to make us feel like authorities on almost any subject without also providing the breadth of knowledge or experience to assess that information within its proper context. But it’s far more unfortunate that aggressive, anxious mothers who Google and dare seek second -- or third or fourth -- opinions can be so easily dismissed and vilified by the very colleagues, friends, social workers and doctors who should be helping them.

Nhu Le

Westminster