Over the past few days, I’ve encountered several folks asking about vaccines and what other families have done.
Having children with special needs, this topic is one that hits home with us. Do we or don’t we?
First off, I want to make it clear that I believe this is a very personal decision that each family needs to make. Do as much reading and research as you can. Talk to other Mamas. Talk to your child’s care providers (whether that’s a Pediatrician, Family Doc, Naturopath, Osteopath, even Chiropractor). Pray about it (actually do this one first).
I devoted several weeks to reading anything I could regarding both sides of the argument. I read books that were pro-vaccines and books that were against. To be honest, both extreme views left me feeling as though the reader was ridiculous and irresponsible if he or she didn’t agree with the author’s POV. Either way, the parent couldn’t win.
And the tone didn’t seem to change.
I didn’t want to be told what to do or to be guilted or scared into making a decision, but rather wanted information so I could make the best decision for my child.
Parents, in general, want to do what’s best for their children, and I don’t think that any decision in their child’s health care should be taken lightly. Whenever I hear the “You’re irresponsible” argument from either side of the fence, it saddens me.
Until you’re the Mama who watched an ambulance carry away her 12 month old son because of seizures after receiving his shots or the Mama who buried her little boy after complications with Hep A, or the Mama who watched her once typically developing son disconnect from the world around him, you can’t understand the guilt they deal with every day.
If you’ve read a book on vaccines and would like to recommend it, please share below in the comments. Also, please check out our group on Facebook.
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Thank you for this post. It saddens me to see so many parents turn against each other, and so many “experts” try to coerce instead of inform, over the topic of vaccinations. It is a tough enough decision without someone thoughtlessly hollering “you’re destroying your child’s immune system” on one side and “you’re destroying the herd immunity” on the other. I too am a huge fan of the Sears library–they make the refreshing assumption that parents are caring, intelligent people looking for good information so they can make thoughtful decisions!
I just got this book last week and have been working my way through it. It has been very informative. I wish Dr. Sears could be my pediatrician.
Thoughtfulbirth, I agree! I think you hit the nail on the head regarding “coercion.”
Thanks for visiting and sharing!
Melly, I think a lot of Mamas would like to have one of the Sears docs in town.
In one of his books (I think it was the Attachment Parenting book), Dr. Sears writes that he gives us all permission to refer to him as our Pediatrician when our parenting choices are questioned.
Just teared up. Will never get over seeing my baby in that state…. So so heartbreaking. I haven’t slept well in seven days as I have been watching and praying over him, feeling his head and checking his temp, examining him for rash and bruises. Please keep him in your prayers the next couple of weeks as the peek time for reactions start tomorrow. =(
Will be praying, Melanie. I love you, little sister!!!