Standing Up for Yourself

Photo by Joyce Hankins on Unsplash

Are you okay in there?

How’s your spine?

Feeling aligned?

When we’re aligned within ourselves, know our values and own our choices, we find our spine.

I’ve been in a bit of a flux with myself lately and questioning a lot of my own stories and beliefs. We all go through those times. Looking for alignment.

Yesterday evening I had a bit of a crash head-first into an unyielding piece of metal. (It was dark outside… and I’m SHORT and almost never have to worry about hitting anything with my head while walking!)

It’s all a little fuzzy still, but I ended up with a concussion and in the ER for stitches and staples. Zero stars, do not recommend!

And I was worried—with all the blood and pain, was my brain okay in there?

Yes, I “passed” the CAT scan. But the moment I knew I was okay was when the Doctor pushed for a tetanus shot and I had enough presence of mind to refuse, defend my refusal, and refuse again.

I’m not anti-vaccine in general (the principles behind vaccination are the same as the principles behind homeopathy!) and would consider some in certain situations.

But I have an auto-immune disorder which means I’m labeled as immuno-compromised. The injury bled profusely. It was not a puncture wound. And I was wearing a beanie so no metal touched the gash at any point. I was also at an ER, and if they can’t properly clean a wound… who can?

The risk of tetanus is extremely low. I also know that Vitamin C has been proven to reduce mortality of tetanus by up to 100% in studies, among other safe, natural options for wound care.

My oldest son had a terrible reaction to the DTAP shot as a child. A close family member also developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome after a vaccination recently.

So for ME, the risk-reward equation did not make sense. I accept the risk and liability for my own choice. I am responsible for me.

But I’m also conditioned (as most of us are) to respect and obey “authority” including Doctors. And in my life story so far, I’ve rarely found my spine to challenge an authority. I usually avoid the confrontations. But last night it was unavoidable, and even in a very fuzzy state of mind, I stood up for myself and my convictions.

Thankfully, Mr. Black Flag Ranch was present and backed me up, otherwise the back and forth would likely have gone on longer.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to stand up for myself, to stay in alignment with my beliefs (despite the fear of what could happen if I defied an “authority”), to be reminded that body autonomy and our rights to our own choices extend to more than one health care issue.

I had the opportunity to walk my talk. And this time I did. I’m grateful.

So this is my reminder to myself, and to you, when life presents an opportunity for you to stay in alignment with yourself—step up and claim your voice, your power, and your own choices.