We have a long-standing family tradition to say our thank you’s before dinner. Instead of saying grace, we hold hands and each share something we are thankful for from our day. The only rule is we cannot say we are thankful for a material object. Last weekend, oddly enough, we all said we are thankful for getting shots.
We are heading to India shortly. It is my first time back in 20 years, and my husband and sons’ first trip there. Among the four of us we got 16 shots, malaria medication, prescription medicine, and a slew of insect repellent, and sunblock. Needless to say, it cost a fortune. The bill hurt more than the shots. It was yet another reminder to be grateful to have the wherewithal to enjoy this experience as a family. Our arms ached, and we were all a tish crabby, but it was nothing that Mall Cop and a milkshake couldn’t fix. We were thankful to have the access and ability to get vaccinations for this trip. We would be endangering ourselves and others had we not been immunized against many deadly diseases that are indeed vaccine preventable. What a wondrous world this is.
Vaccination, especially when traveling abroad, is not about choice. It is about responsibility. Many people in developing countries do not have the access to healthcare that we have in this country. It is not something I take for granted or take lightly. I believe that what we give back is commensurate to what we take for granted. And that is why I dedicate my time and energy to support the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life program.
World Immunization Week is coming up April 24-30. Join me to give children around the world a shot at life. Check out Advocate2Vaccinate to learn how you can help. Your voice is just what our village needs!
And you know what’s pretty spectacular? India just celebrated its first anniversary as an officially polio free nation.
You mean I missed out on watching Mall Cop? Such a travesty. 😀