Hello Ladies,
I haven't been here for a while and apologize for coming back with a rant but I am growing increasingly frustrated about something and would like to pick your minds...
I was listening to the This American Life Podcast this weekend (it was a couple of weeks old) and the topic of the show was Bad Apples (people who ruin it for everyone else). There was an interesting piece on team dynamics and then a story about the non vaxing family in San Diego, CA who brought back Measles from Switzerland and caused quite a stir. The author of the piece was rather pro-vax (or maybe I was just being overly sensitive) and most of the people interviewed were pro-vax and the things they said about the non vaxers were infuriating (like non vaxers should go live on their own island... if only that were an option! lol!) but what really got to me was when Dr. Bob Sears came on as the non/alternative vax advocate and basically said that non-vaxers are afraid of vaccinations and are thinking of their own child before the public health community.
Then there was this Private Practice episode that featured a similar topic and women I engage with on another message board are discussing it and are so sad for us poor, fearful non-vaxers.
WHAT?! Are they kidding?
As I was listening to This American Life (before Dr. Bob came on) I was thinking: here's what people don't get. Non vaxers aren't afraid... they aren't the ones choosing the one over the many. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Non-vaxers are actually trying to change the system (by setting an example) to benefit the many.
I get that today's public health system is based on the public health system of yesteryear... I get that my choice not to vax may appear not to be in support of public health, but maybe it's time to consider that the meaning of public health is changing. I am not afraid of vaccines or afraid of vax-preventable illnesses... I am afraid of what will continue to happen to us if we let medical intervention into our bodies at such an alarming rate.
I know that if everyone stopped vaxing we would lose some lives, and I know if someone close to me was lost I would be devastated, but I am not entirely sure that preserving every single life through these means is worth it to the rest of society. I should probably let it go (like most things!) but I am bothered by the fact that vaxing parents see me as selfish for not vaxing my child. I don't assume they are selfish, I assume they are doing the best they can with the information they have... I wish I got the same benefit of the doubt.
Thoughts?
I haven't been here for a while and apologize for coming back with a rant but I am growing increasingly frustrated about something and would like to pick your minds...
I was listening to the This American Life Podcast this weekend (it was a couple of weeks old) and the topic of the show was Bad Apples (people who ruin it for everyone else). There was an interesting piece on team dynamics and then a story about the non vaxing family in San Diego, CA who brought back Measles from Switzerland and caused quite a stir. The author of the piece was rather pro-vax (or maybe I was just being overly sensitive) and most of the people interviewed were pro-vax and the things they said about the non vaxers were infuriating (like non vaxers should go live on their own island... if only that were an option! lol!) but what really got to me was when Dr. Bob Sears came on as the non/alternative vax advocate and basically said that non-vaxers are afraid of vaccinations and are thinking of their own child before the public health community.
Then there was this Private Practice episode that featured a similar topic and women I engage with on another message board are discussing it and are so sad for us poor, fearful non-vaxers.
WHAT?! Are they kidding?
As I was listening to This American Life (before Dr. Bob came on) I was thinking: here's what people don't get. Non vaxers aren't afraid... they aren't the ones choosing the one over the many. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Non-vaxers are actually trying to change the system (by setting an example) to benefit the many.
I get that today's public health system is based on the public health system of yesteryear... I get that my choice not to vax may appear not to be in support of public health, but maybe it's time to consider that the meaning of public health is changing. I am not afraid of vaccines or afraid of vax-preventable illnesses... I am afraid of what will continue to happen to us if we let medical intervention into our bodies at such an alarming rate.
I know that if everyone stopped vaxing we would lose some lives, and I know if someone close to me was lost I would be devastated, but I am not entirely sure that preserving every single life through these means is worth it to the rest of society. I should probably let it go (like most things!) but I am bothered by the fact that vaxing parents see me as selfish for not vaxing my child. I don't assume they are selfish, I assume they are doing the best they can with the information they have... I wish I got the same benefit of the doubt.
Thoughts?
.
Because while I'm pretty sure they all think I'm wierd/crazy for bfing DS for so long (22 months now), the only person whos ever dared say a word is DH's dad... who said something like 'how long you gonna do that for?' when we saw him last summer.. and got the 'as long as he wants' and a dirty look.. and its never been brought up again
So, yeah. Having your in-laws afraid of you, is a GOOD thing 
