Now, I know this is not ideal. I am still facing mobility issues and ongoing physical therapy. There is still a pandemic going on. We are hoping and praying that the 12-15 year old COVID-19 vaccine is available before we travel. We are stepping out in faith that we'll get those vaccines for the girls before we leave. We pray that the world will have a better handle on the crisis. At the same time, there are family and personal reasons why it is very important that we go to Ethiopia this summer.
I am aware that with this plan we sit in the crossroads of significant privilege.
Today all of the girls and I drove to Greenville to get vaccines for international travel. There is privilege in having a car to drive there, gas to run the car, time off of work, the availability of typhoid and yellow fever vaccines, and the money to pay for them.
It is a great tragedy that these opportunities are not open to all people.
I was able to buy a vaccine that prevents the likelihood of my children catching typhoid. There are so many people in the world that do not have that privilege. According to the CDC (www.cdc.gov) "An estimated 11–21 million cases of typhoid fever and 200,000 deaths occur worldwide each year."
11-21 million people suffer each year from a disease that can be prevented through a vaccine. 200,000 people loose their lives, families grieve, and communities are changed by a disease that a simple shot in the arm could prevent.
I could go through the list of other opportunities to prevent illness, from cholera to yellow fever. Because I was born in a developed country with access to vaccines, my family and I can likely avoid illness, disability, and death from these diseases. The weight of that privilege is not lost on me.
At the same time that weight should also drive me to seek justice in the world. I know many times I grow complacent about the plight of those around the globe. As our family steps back into the planning stages of travel, I am faced with that reality again... and I am thankful. Thankful to be stirred from the stupor of taking health care for granted and thankful to be called to tell stories about the world around us.
As we begin this journey once again, we know that we are not alone. We invite you to follow along as we embark on this adventure, see where it leads, and how we are called to love our global neighbors.
Vaccines at Passport Health. Thanks so much to the lovely nurses there.
