OK you guys.
I am sorry to have to get on my soapbox, but sometimes the stupidity of others CANNOT be ignored.
Backstory - I am on a listserv of moms that leans towards a very pro-breastfeeding, cloth diapering, attachment parenting mindset. That's cool. I am pretty middle of the road with those things. To each his own, etc.
But when the topic of vaccines gets brought up, my blood boils a little bit. Many women in that group prefer to delay or space them out, which while I don't agree with, I think CAN be done responsibly if you have educated yourself first (Dr. Sears' recommendations, for example).
HOWEVER, today a lady asked the group to recommend a pediatrician who would support her decision not to vaccinate. At all. To intentionally expose her child and others around him/her to measles, pertussis and any number of other DEADLY diseases.
So I emailed her - directly, without copying all - to ask her to please reconsider and provided a link to the article I posted to Facebook.
Here is her well-researched and thoughtful response:
"There is a doctor in Chicago who doent vaccinate his patients and his patients eat healthy diets. None of his patients in 30 years (1000's) have had ADD, ADHD, the flu, cavities, learning problems, none are obese, and all walked and talked early...not an article, but real life."
You guys.
Blood. Boiling.
By the way, I just couldn't help myself and had to respond. An epically idiotic statement like that couldn't just sit out there in the universe without being dealt with.
Plus, I'm kind of obnoxious like that.
My reply:
Wait, you seriously believe that of THOUSANDS of people, NONE have EVER had the flu or cavities?? You are more gullible than I originally thought. Do what you will with your child but please have him/her stay away from mine.
[sigh]
I have this compulsive need to have the last word / be right. As a child I constantly fought (and lost) the battle to control myself and just let other people think what they want. Now, as an adult, I usually win that battle with myself and honestly it's refreshing to just let things go.
But not with this issue. It's just too important. So if I need to act like a 5 year old to get my point across, I will.
Annie,
ReplyDeleteWhile some people who have had children who have ASD, I understand their concerns, although I'm not in the line of thinking that vaccines cause it. It is scary for a parent, however, with some (like the woman you were taking about), you just can't fix stupid. Nice try though.
Yeah, you would think I would have learned that by now. Oh well. And I am also quite concerned about Autism, but I know what the science says, so I vaccinate because it is the best thing for Jonathan, and for society.
ReplyDelete