Today I'd like to express my gratitude for the miracle of modern medicine. Those of you who know me well understand that I'm very much a 'do it naturally' type of person wherever possible, but I'm not stupid! There is plenty of place in my world for both types of medicine.
My 'big girl' UK chickadee has been ill with pneumonia and has reacted well to the antibiotics her doctor has prescribed so she's on the mend. It wasn't that long ago that she would have been admitted to hospital and would perhaps have got a whole lot worse before she got to get better again.
Even today, children in developing countries still die of pneumonia as a complication of measles. Shocking, when we have a treatment. We even have a vaccine for measles (we won't open that can of worms here, suffice to say that nobody who has had a child desperately sick with measles would willingly allow their child to contract it, it's a dreadful disease that can have truly awful repercussions). My maternal grand-mother lost her firstborn son to measles at the age of three. She went on to have another 5 children but never recovered from the traumatic loss.
Doctors Without Borders are doing a great job, helping wherever, whenever possible. I'm constantly impressed by the willingness of people to volunteer where and as necessary. I know they're not the only NFP worth talking about... there are a lot of good people out there, with hearts in the right places, doing incredible work to help others less fortunate than themselves.
So, yes... I am grateful for the miracle of vaccines and antibiotics, and the list goes on. Mostly, I'm grateful to the wonderful people who have contributed to these miracles.
April Blackbird
I'm also most grateful for the fabulous new anti-allergenic plasters we can buy now!
13 July 2010
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3 comments:
It is a wonder. I think that when I look at the incredible schedule of immunizations for my small boy. But I can't comprehend folk who choose not to give them! Imagine your child becoming paralysed by polio though uncommon.
After all the years and efforts of the medical and scientific fields to make our little beans safe from such horrors.
But each to their own I suppose.
Bookie-bird
Uncommon today because of the fabulous work that has been done on our children's behalves...
My parents went to a 'work do' when I was little and they put me into a cot to sleep with two other children while they celebrated. The other two children had polio within the week. One lived her life (we've lost touch in adulthood so I'm not sure if they're still alive) out with a lame foot. The other child landed up in an iron lung for many, many months and was unable to move from the waist down. We grew up together. I watched his battles; played with his crutches, and was there when he eventually married a wonderful girl.
So, yes... I am grateful that it's not going to be an illness my grandchildren need to experience.
April Blackbird
Goodness, you have just made real the situation I only dreamed could happen. What an innocent time for you while you played and dreamed there with those two.
I think the one which frightens me most is this.
Thank you for sharing :)
Bookie-bird
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