It's been months and
months since I wrote my first blog post about vaccines. I gave a
rather brief preview into, what I had wanted to be, a several part
series. However, every time I have sat down at the computer to write,
I seem to get hit with a serious case of writer's block. Its a topic
that could literally go 100 different directions. Its so
controversial, and there is SOO much information and misinformation
(on both sides) that it is REALLY difficult to have a conversation
based on facts. There are many who claim to have “facts”, but
when you discover the level of corruption surrounding vaccines and
the Pharmaceutical industry, it becomes very difficult to know who
you can trust to tell the truth. That being said, it is difficult to
present a verifiable argument without CONCRETE evidence. The “facts”
that the anti-vaccine groups publish are called lies, exaggerations,
twisted truth, manipulation, conspiracies, and fear tactics by the
“pro-vacciners” (pardon my made up word), and vice-verse. There
is a lot of name calling and finger pointing on both sides, which
accomplishes nothing. MY goal is to simply present the evidence and
reasoning behind why I became an “anti-vaccine” parent, and maybe
bring some things to light that you haven't thought of before. If you
would like to read my previous posts on vaccines, just scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will find them.
The phrase “Anti-vaccine”
sounds very extreme to many (though now more than ever I think more
and more people are starting to really consider their vaccination
decisions). I think when people hear that, they automatically assume
that the person making that claim is out of touch, misinformed, on
the “holistic bandwagon” , a conspiracy theorist, and probably a
little crazy. For some reason we like to lump people into groups and
make assumptions based on only a small portion of what we know about
them. Now, I've always said, stereotypes are there for a reason.
There is always a morsel of truth to them, but we just have to be
careful how much we assume without getting the whole story.
As for me, I'm sure I
could be placed in some of those categories. I AM trying to live a
more holistic life, I'm not above conspiracies, and I'm sure I'm a
bit crazy (what mom of small children isn't??). I also suppose I
could be misinformed. I'm not so arrogant as to think that I can't
“get it wrong”. And I would not consider myself to be out of
touch either, but who knows, maybe I'm so out of touch that I don't
even know I am! Lol ;) I don't think I fall in either of those
categories though. I have studied this earnestly and with my best
judgment considered all the options. I ALWAYS reserve the right to
change my mind if I find new, convincing evidence that contradicts my
former conclusions, and I am not too prideful to admit that I was
wrong if I truly know that I was (ask my husband :) ).
When it comes to
vaccines, I believe that, with the information I have RIGHT NOW, I am
making the best possible choice for my family. I also think that once
you start digging, if you can truly remain objective, you will see
that choosing not to vaccinate is not nearly as radical as it is made
to seem.
I caution you not to lump
people into groups. Things are not always what they
appear. There are always extremes. There are those who are blindly
following the crowd on BOTH sides of this issue, but I can tell you
from experience that making the choice not to vaccinate was one of
the most difficult, intimidating, thought over and prayed over
decisions Matt and I have ever made as parents. It is NOT something
we took lightly, or did rashly out of fear. Our children's health and
well-being is worth WAY too much for us to take such a decision
lightly. So please don't assume that everyone who chooses not to
vaccinate is “ignorant” or acting out of misplaced fear. In most
cases, that couldn't be further from the truth.
Here is an example of what
I'm talking about. I posted an article on Facebook awhile back about
the potential dangers of ingesting essential oils (not gonna get into
that debate right now.... :) ) As I said before, I am trying to live
a more holistic, healthy, lifestyle, so I have been learning about
and using essential oils for awhile now. I really enjoy the oils, and
have had great success using them for certain things topically.
However, I still have many questions and doubts about taking them
internally, which some major essential oils companies claim is safe.
When I posted this, I had a friend, who uses and loves the oils (but
disagrees with me on my stance on vaccines) say that she was
surprised that I felt the way I did about ingesting the oils. Her
reasoning was that because I was someone who didn't vaccinate, she
assumed I would be completely on board the Essential Oils bandwagon.
Basically, what she was saying is that she assumed I make decisions
based on the group she lumped me in with. But I DON'T make decisions
that way. Sure, I take into consideration the thoughts and opinions
of those that I admire and who hold the same values as I do, but that
doesn't mean that I don't do my own research or that I can't
disagree. I don't assume that ANYONE knows everything. And just
because they're smart, or wise, or a leader, doesn't mean they can't
be wrong. I don't jump on ANY bandwagons, because “bandwagons”
can quickly get off course and out of control when people begin to
blindly follow a cause, even a good one.
I guess the point of this
post is to encourage you in two ways.
- Don't be a blind follower, no matter what cause it is that you believe in.
- Be very careful with the assumptions you make about others and what they believe.There is so much we can learn if we truly listen and have open dialogue with each other. This shouldn't be a battle of our pride, who's right and who's wrong, but a genuine conversation out of concern for our youngest generation and how the choices we make for them today could radically be affecting their future.Don't forget. Seek the truth and Speak the truth. You won't be sorry.~Carli~"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."2 Timothy 1:7
