Making the Impossible, Possible

Things I am thankful for, in order: My family, our health, our opportunity to work and earn a living, and our happiness as much as it ebbs and flows through our daily life.

On the days that I struggle with any of those things that mean the most to me-and often, there is a struggle but that notion is always relative-I think about the times in my life that were lacking in abundance. The miscarriages we suffered, days in the hospital dealing with Jack’s asthma or tree nut exposures and resulting anaphylaxis, times when we struggled to pay our bills, and the toll that post-partum depression and anxiety took on my own personal mental register. The truth is that even when we were struggling and suffering the most, we have lived in prosperity of opportunity and a wealth of resources. Our homes have been in close proximity to some of the finest health care institutions in the country, with health insurance provided to our family through the college or Justin’s employer. It hasn’t been easy to always access, but I am aware that there are health care providers in our area that can help to treat and manage mental health for myself and even my children if need be, even therapists and psychologists in the public elementary school system that can and do help my son with his speech.

On the most basic level, in this country we are afforded the right and opportunity to food, water, and life-saving, effectively preventative vaccinations for some of the most deadly, preventable diseases in the world. The fact that there are mothers and caregivers in this world struggling to feed, protect and educate their babies just about brings me to my knees.

Without tapping too heavily into the recent politics surrounding the vaccination debate in my state of California, I have been a staunch advocate of vaccinating children whenever physically possible. With my two big kids in public elementary school and one in private preschool, I did a ton of research surrounding the occurrence of measles and Pertussis cases within our community as well as the vaccination rates/personal exemption percentages within my children’s schools and our area specifically. At the time, welcoming a brand new baby into our home while my children spent the day in classrooms with upwards of 20% of the children un-innoculatied against problematic diseases in our area, I was a nervous wreck. It helped to educate myself to the nth degree, though I think what got me through that school year with healthy children had a lot to do with diligent hand-washing and sheer luck.

Evangeline is nearly a year old and has received at least one round of vaccines that will (hopefully) prevent her from getting diseases that used to be fully eradicated from our country, but some that are still incredibly prevalent in other countries. If any one of the things that take up the four cubes of my heart become compromised, I tend to remember these quotes:

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Francis of Assisi

I believe that everyone should have access to food, clean water and healthcare, including preventative vaccinations. I feel incredibly fortunate that I am able to assess and ultimately address the needs of my children, however possible and that we are provided with a wealth of options for managing our health.

I feel compelled to help those in need in any way I can, so for the second year in a row I’m honored to be a part of Shot@Life’s Blogust 2015—a month-long blog relay—some of North America’s most beloved online writers, photo and video bloggers and Shot@Life Champions.We are coming together an sharing inspirational quotes for our lives, our family and our children.

It’s quite simple to get involved yourself, and I would be so grateful for our support: Every time you comment on this post and other Blogust contributions, or take action using the social media on this website, liking, commenting or sharing my Instagram and Facebook posts, Shot@Life and the United Nations Foundation pages, one vaccine will be donated to a child around the world (up to 50,000).

I am grateful beyond measure for the opportunities we are afforded, some we work incredibly hard for and others that come into play in our lives because of the country we live in and the standards we uphold and champion personally and as a community. It’s a privilege to be a part of Shot@Life’s Blogust and the difference this campaign makes in the lives of so many people around the world.