Yes. Yes, I am one of them. I'm a refuser.

Consider it a coming out, of sorts.
It’s true.  I’m one of *them*.  I’m a refuser.

For those of you who don’t know this already, I feel it’s time to just put it right out there and take ownership.  My husband and I are the "crazies" that you’re currently being warned about.

We are refusers, and chose an alternative vaccination schedule for our daughter.
~~insert dramatic music here~~   

It may not seem like a big thing...but it's a dangerous time to be a refuser.  

Even the high profile supporters are a little leery right now.

The reason I have decided to put this into a blog post is because as the fear-mongering revs up, and the propaganda is in full force right now, my husband and I have both recently seen some uncharacteristic behavior in people. In the past, we never really worried about mentioning our choice out loud.  But now, there is a firestorm occurring and the fear being generated in the media is creating a witch hunt for those of us who choose an alternative schedule with our children's vaccinations.  But there is more.  Our rights as parents are being threatened.  Your rights.

Let's start a few years back.

Rob and I are *older folks* and we collectively have children spanning over 3 decades.  Uff...wow!  We surmised we were done having children when we met and then married in 2005, but we are now the proud parents of an additional wee girl named Kenz, our 8 year old fairy imp. 

So, here is the thing.  We love our daughter.  I mean, wildly.  She came to us late in life, and she was not only a ‘surprise’ baby, she was a miracle baby.  As in, not able to be conceived!  But lo and behold, here is our girl.  Raising her as older than average parents has been a challenging and unique experience.  Rob has a son from his first marriage, now in his twenties.  I have two children from my first marriage, both in their twenties.  We both did things very differently when we were younger parents.  And although the first batch of kids grew up to be amazing individuals, we both felt we had more to offer Kenz as we were older, a bit wiser and more open to different viewpoints.  That being said, oh how we have painstakingly worried, fretted, pondered over how to raise this one!  Like most parents do :)  

What I'm going to share is not intended to convince anyone of anything. This is just one person’s story.  I offer it in an attempt to see the reasoning behind how one set of devoted, loving parents came to their personal decision.  If it inspires you to do some independent research, swell.  If not, it's your personal journey, and none of my business.  I'd also ask you to consider how each of us as parents make choices based on our desire for the very best for our children, and to remember this before you blindly categorize and label parents who have made a different choice than you, as crazy, neglectful or unloving.  Trust me when I say, you'd be surprised how many of us refusers there are out there who are making similar decisions for their children.
Perhaps they're not sharing their story with you or others because of the possible backlash, which is not always pretty.

Allow me to offer you a brief glimpse into the fear/hatred that we refusers hear on a regular basis through overheard conversations, social media, parenting boards, friends/co-workers/family. 

1.  Uninformed and ignorant.

2.  Neglectful parents.

3.  CPS should take your children away from you.

4.  All of you idiots who refuse should be sent away to an island to infect one another and die off.

5.   It will serve you right when your child dies from one of these diseases.

6.  If you loved your child you'd take care of them.

7.  People like you will be the demise of the world.

I guess maybe I’m naïve, but I can’t understand why you think you should be allowed to have a say in what we feel is best for our child? 

I would never say that our choice is the right choice, it’s simply our choice.  

Based on our own beliefs, research, and the best interest of our individual child and her needs.

I’d like to share the why of our own personal decision, and hopefully I won’t be automatically accused of being a “Jenny McCarthy cult follower or conspiracy theorist”.  Because frankly, I have no interest in Jenny McCarthy or what’s she’s doing.  That is hers.  Good news, she gets to have an opinion, after all we do have that freedom.  For now.

Here are a few things that we took into consideration when making the decision of an alternative vaccination schedule for our family.

1.  The increase in the number of vaccinations given over the years.  Holy smokes.  Why?  I mean, seriously, why?  How is it that we just allowed this to happen, blindly, without questioning it?  We have idly sat back as more and more special interest groups, big money, and big pharma have become involved.  One of the first questions I ask when I'm questioning the validity of any theory, is where is the money trail?  Let's look at that.  Who stands to financially benefit from this dramatic increase?  It sure isn't my child or my family. Big pharma makes no $$$ from a healthy, AT-ease population.  They do, however, stand to profit greatly from an unhealthy, DIS-eased population. 

If you are ever called to dig a little deeper, look up "Vaccine Courts" and the trillions of dollars that have been paid to the 1,000's of families who have vaccine injured children.  Yes, it's very real and it's definitely something to think about. 

2.  The science and research into the already declining numbers of outbreaks of certain diseases *before* the introduction of immunizations.  Could it be possible that more sanitary living conditions, cleaner water, more readily available medical care could have had an impact on the decline?  The facts and statistics are there, but seriously, will we find them on the surface?  What would happen to our dependency on the system if we started asking for the research, other than what the CDC says we're entitled to see as 'average citizens'.  If I sound distrusting, I am.  I've learned much, the deeper I've researched for the facts.  I know CDC provides information.  The information they're allowed to provide.  Again, think about it.  Who stands to profit?  What would happen if we learned a deception has been occurring?  Mass hysteria anyone? 

      3.  One size dosage fits all.  They're prepackaged, and the same dose they give to a newborn is what they they give to a 6 year old.  This one boggles my mind.  How can it be logical, legal, or safe to give the same dosage to everyone?  Have you ever asked if your child was being injected according to their weight?  Might want to ask about that one, too.

4.  Why do we blindly follow what we’re told without looking into it?  I used to live in that world, not any more.  Just because someone tells me something, that does not mean it’s truth.  

It means it is what they know.  Every dentist, teacher, doctor, hair stylist, lawyer, mechanic, engineer knows what they've been told and taught.  

They each had a set curriculum that they followed.  

Does that make it truth?  No.  Are there always other alternatives?  Yes!

For fun, ask your doctor to share with you all they know about the ingredients (active and inactive) in the vaccines.   Then ask them to show you the package insert for each of the vaccinations your child is about to receive.  I have.  I can almost guarantee they will tell you, "Don't worry about it.  I am the doctor.  It’s for the best.  Do you have a medical degree?"  They really won’t know or say much more, except to possibly give you a condescending lecture and the crackerjack eye for daring to question their authority.  

Uhh...as you might imagine, I'd highly recommend you DO question their authority.

5.  Where is the INDEPENDENT research?  I'd be more than happy to reevaluate my current stance if I could be provided with some research and clinical studies that were not funded by groups that stand to profit from the findings. Ugh.  Oh, the media is so happy to link you to studies that will tell you the dangers of not following the current schedule, but every time you see that link, I encourage you to follow the money.  Who funded it?  What is their interest?  

So, has there been research by outside sources?  Oh yes.  Unfortunately, many of the doctors who have come forth have been smeared and mocked within their communities and ostracized from their profession.  Fortunately, many are still fighting the battle.  They're out there.  Find them.  I highly recommend Dr. Tenpenny.  Take some time, learn more about them, and entertain their ideas of alternative schedules.  See if you might have missed something along the way.  Remember, if you have a slight change of heart, it doesn't mean you were wrong!  We all do the best we can with the information we have, until we have more information.  

Then if we like, we can make different decisions.

      See, I'm not against all vaccines.  I'm against the current, aggressive schedule and the inactive ingredients still in some of them.  I'm also against the newer ones being offered such as hpv and shingles, the ones whose data is still coming in.  How about we actually know what the long term affects are before we start administering?  Also, flu shots.  Have you read an insert? Consider it.

Are their alternatives?  YES!  Yes Yes Yes!

There are physicians who will not only assist you, but SUPPORT your decision to choose an alternative schedule, and also provide you with immunizations that do *not* have all the unnecessary, inactive ingredients.  But, you must ask.  You must ask again.  You may even have to demand it or change pediatricians.  But, it's your right and responsibility as a parent to question what they are injecting into your children.  If you are not respected when you want to have this discussion, or if you are treated in a condescending manner, take it as a sign. 

Here is a question I often get when people hear we are refusers. 

Do you think that vaccines cause autism?  No. 

This is how I see it.  I look at our immune system as a big ole bucket.  That bucket is filled with all kinds of stuff that it didn't used to be filled with years ago.  Chemicals, dyes, preservatives, environmental pollutants.  The ever increasing amount of products we breathe, put on our skin, and ingest is rampant with UNnatural ingredients.  Our bucket gets filled one ingredient at a time.  

Now look at our children’s immune system.  If they already have a bucket with some junk in it, due to environment or certain health conditions, and then we dump in some chemical filled formula, water, lotion, etc., it gets fuller.  Then we dump in a bit more chemical airborne exposure, a little fuller still.  Now, we're precariously close to overflowing that bucket, we are right at the edge.

Then, we get that one extra vaccine and all the inactive junk like mercury, aluminum, MSG. Whoosh.  That creates a “spillover” into their little bodies.  All the junk which is not being contained in the immune system bucket, is now floating around in their bodies freely.  What symptoms might manifest?  How might that overloaded immune system find a way to express its overwhelmed and over exceeded capacity but through a bodily event and certain symptoms?

Clearly, this is my personal insight and not science! I don't mean it to be.  But it is one mama’s attempt to explain a process in a simple analogy.  It works for me, even makes a little sense.  Kenz's immune system is challenged/compromised.  I simply won't risk overloading her.
All that being said, are you aware that on certain vaccine inserts, it very plainly states that this vaccine can cause autism?  Again...research.

So, here is what it all boils down to for me at this time.  Right now, there are those that are on a mission to instill great fear and chaos...and mostly, division.  Us against them.  Someone, the powers that be, wants you to be scared of the refusers. Why?
You *could* buy into the hype about recent "outbreaks", but do you realize that those few isolated cases were among the already vaccinated community?  If the vaccines are effective, how did they catch the virus?  If the unvaccinated did not have the virus, how could they cause the spread?  I feel confused.  It's disturbing how quick people are to jump on the bandwagon without researching any other sources than opinion pieces in mainstream media outlets.  Research what even constitutes a breakout!  Fascinating.  And don't even get me started on herd immunity. If you don't understand it, stop using it as a tool of hate filled propaganda.

So again, why the recent amped up effort to instill fear and chaos?  It's simple.  There is currently a push to make all vaccines mandatory.  To make it illegal to opt out with an exemption form.  It's a growing threat and it's very real.  Check out what's going on in Colorado.
Folks, this is sketchy stuff.

While you're busy condemning me and other loving parents, there is legislation occurring where your RIGHTS and CHOICE will be taken away.  Not just mine.  Yours.  The saddest part?  You'll welcome it.  They will have created such a wild, frenzied hate fest and witch hunt that when it is proposed, you'll be the first in line to sign it into law.  Because of *them*.  Us.  The refusers.  You'll be so busy pointing at us as the villains, and meanwhile you've just created an opportunity, welcomed the opportunity, where the government will decide the fate of your child.  There will be no choice.  Imagine being the parent of a child who stands to be vaccine-injured if forced to take part in mandatory vaccinations.  Think it can't happen?  You better believe it can. 

Regardless of what you think of me, or my choices as a parent...do you want some outside authority telling you what they will do to your child?  With or without your consent.  Yikes!  I am not asking you to support my choice, I am asking, no, pleading with you, to support your own rights as a parent.  All it takes is one opportunity to control our parenting, and what comes next?  I'd rather not find out.  Remember, in Nazi Germany, people felt it was in their best interest to go along willingly with their leader, they initially welcomed his overseeing protection.  The laws that were increasingly implemented for their 'protection' ended up stealing all their individual rights and freedoms until the day came where they realized they'd created their own prison and were unable to get out.
So, yes, it might be easy to label me as fearful, rather than a concerned citizen, but I will say -  I rather enjoy my personal freedoms, thank you very much!

On a personal note, your child is vaccinated.  Mine is not.  Please don't worry that my kid could be a threat to yours.  Truth is, my child is far more at risk being exposed to your child after receiving a live-virus vaccine as it sloughs off through bodily secretions for the next 30 days!

If you choose to not allow your child around mine, I will honor that.  Just please be sure you’re making that decision based on your own research and not the information provided by special interest groups, opinion pieces, or the fear inciting mainstream media outlets.  

Finally, if you find yourself condemning and pointing your shame-filled finger at a group of parents whom you know nothing about, and you feel it's your civic duty to shout from the mountaintops that they should be forced to vaccinate or else go live on an isolated island, remember, it will also be YOUR parental rights taken away.  

I don't want anyone to tell me how to raise my children.  I certainly don't want the government telling me they know what's best for my child.  Do you?  These divine little beings chose us to care for them, love them and protect them.  And we're all doing the best that we can.  How about we support one another, and have an important discussion.  Stop pointing fingers, and lend a helping hand or a receptive ear.  That seems a much better use of time and energy.  If you have questions or opinions, I always welcome the dialogue!  :)
For more information on topics such as this and other random musings...check out my FB page, "She UnEarthed" or my personal FB page "Lisa Howard"
www.lisadawnhoward.com