Flu Season...Drama!

Okay Boys and Girls, up until this point I have for the most part avoided getting too specific on this here lovely blog of mine... No naming names, few posts contain specific details, etc. BUT as this is MY BLOG, and there are some situations that call for all out STORYTELLING of the drama.... Yes, I said the "D" word and I mean it! My life as a wife and mother is not without it's share of drama. Wait! My life is FULL OF DRAMA!

There, I've admitted it.

Now let's talk specifics because otherwise my brain might just explode from keeping it all in and mulling it around too long.

We are at what seems to be just the begining of a boiling hot issue regarding Oliver's health and safety. It started when Oliver's Pediatrician informed us that because Oliver cannot get the Flu Shot this year, EVERYONE AROUND HIM MUST get one so he is safe.  Vaccinate the Herd mentality. It is simple science. Actually, it started when we informed THE HERD!

Simple Science, maybe, but apparently a RADICAL SOCIAL CONCEPT according to the reaction we are getting! For the most part, I have to say, people get it and are willing to cooperate. However, there are those who are "unwilling" also. Some people are unwilling to cooperate on principle... that no one can MAKE THEM get a shot in order to do their jobs. Others are likely questioning the October 1st deadline given by our Pediatrician, as this means they will have to PAY FOR THEIR OWN SHOT now instead of getting it FREE later from their employer at their employer sponsored Health Clinic.  Still more people tout their various concerns over vaccine safety and their own excuses reasons for not wanting to get the Flu Shot this year. All duly noted!

Our take on this?

COMPASSION, people!  WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION?

If you are part of Oliver's life, whether it's as his Teacher, Nurse, Grandparent, Sibling, Therapist...whatever, by now you have some idea of how fragile his health is! It is REALLY HARD for us to understand anyone who simply REFUSES to get the Flu Shot unless their doctor has told them that they specifically cannot get one this year!

We stand firm along side Oliver's Pediatrician's Guidelines:

• Everyone who comes to our home must get a Flu Shot by October 1, 2010 and show proof of immunization
•  No One will be allowed in our home during Flu Season unless they've received  a Flu Shot
• Strict Handwashing and Personal Hygeine requirements will be in effect, per usual
• Everyone entering our home can and will be questioned regarding Signs and/or Symptoms of illness

While we are accustomed to strict requirements for a variety of health reasons over the years, we realize not everyone else around us is as comfortable. THAT'S OKAY!  But is it really unrealistic for us to expect that everyone else at least attempt to understand the situation we are in and respect it ? As stated by Oliver's Pediatrician, this is an issue we CANNOT be flexible about!

For the record, we are aware that there are people out there who cannot receive a Flu Shot, not just Oliver. {Some people we know have to avoid the Flu Shot every year  for a variety of reasons while this is our first year having to deal with this.} For those who truly cannot receive a Flu Shot, we understand the situation you are in, but we still cannot and will not put Oliver at risk.  For everyone else who is objecting for other reasons, we are disappointed in your decision and we ask that you at least read this and reconsider.

For more information on the 2010-2011 Flu Season and the Flu Shot, please contact:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Rd

Atlanta, GA 30333

800-CDC-INFO

(800-232-4636)

TTY: (888) 232-6348 24 Hours/Every Day

Email:  cdcinfo@cdc.gov

This is our family home...Oliver's home... where we have the right to be respected, safe, healthy, and happy. As parents, we consider it our responsiblity to do whatever we can to offer that to our children:  Safety and Security at home! We intend to fully defend these rights for our children, when necessary, but we would really rather that everyone showed  basic human compassion and understanding! Everything in life should not be a struggle; don't we all have enough of those?

-Reneé