Okay, so I know I've had that terribly grumpy/depressing blog post up for too long. I appreciate all of your responses and encouragement. We are making progress. I did buy raw milk, and am making kefir, which I believe will help. I have seen some natural health practitioners, and am hoping to make progress with my kids there. And sometime our sourdough starter should be coming in the mail...
I would just like to clarify that I don't think that doctors are bad. I don't think that western medicine is bad. I do believe that the FDA and Big Pharma aren't as concerned about people's overall health as most people think they are. I do believe that politics and money have a lot to do with what goes on in those departments. But I also believe that western medicine has and does save lots of lives. Antibiotics were a wonderful discovery. However, I think that kids don't need them for every ear infection, and that antibiotics are way over used. I like how greensmoothiegirl (I know, the ultimate authority. Ha ha. But I just got her book for Christmas, and I love it, actually) says antibiotics should be more of a once or twice in a lifetime event. Similarly I believe that vaccines are the hallmark discovery of modern medicine, and are very important to the health of society. But I also don't think vaccines are as harmless as most main-stream people believe, and they should be cleaned up and "greenified" before being given to infants. I currently do not follow the vaccine schedule for my kids. But I do believe in vaccinating. I would also never dare go without medical insurance.
Anyway, for those of you whose dads or husbands are doctors, I'd like to say I believe most doctors are upright, honest people. I think they do what they have been taught, some of which, I think is necessary. I just don't think that western medicine has all the answers. I think largely the corruption that exists is up higher in the system (Big Pharma, FDA, CDC, etc.), which decides the curriculum for the medical schools. I've read some natural health beliefs on fluoride, and a some people make the argument that your dentist has a conflict of interest, because if you have perfectly healthy teeth, you won't need dental work done. I honestly, at this point, haven't read enough about fluoride to decide what I think about it, yet. But I do know my dad, a dentist, believes in it, and he doesn't tell his patients to use it so he can get more business. He's one of the most honest people I know. Definitely in most situations, if there is corruption, it's up higher on the totem pole. I guess I've just felt lately that I trusted in western medicine too completely before, and never considered other options. I think it's wise to realize that Drs only know what they have been taught, and they haven't been taught in natural healing, which I believe also should have its place in society.
That said, I think anytime there's a large amount of money at stake, there can be corruption. There is corruption also in the natural health world, I'm sure (I've seen that a little as well). I guess my eyes have opened up to other possibilities lately, and I only wish I'd realized them before. I appreciate those people who have introduced me to some aspects of holistic healing. Put holistic healing an natural health with western medicine, and I think we all have the possibility of long and healthy lives. That's all. Bye.
