Let's talk about a fancy term – “iatrogenesis.” It's quite a mouthful, and honestly, I still stumble over it myself. But what does it mean?
According to good ol' Wikipedia, iatrogenesis is when medical activities – like diagnosis, treatment, errors, or negligence – lead to diseases, complications, or other bad outcomes. In simple terms, it's when doctors or the medical system unintentionally harm you.
Now, let me tell you about someone named Sheila Lewis. She lived in Alberta, Canada, and her story really brings this term to life.
Picture this: Sheila was diagnosed with a terminal illness back in 2018, and her only shot at survival was an organ transplant. But here's the twist – she ended up in a tight spot when the hospital made it clear that she needed to get vaccinated, including the COVID vaccine, before they'd consider her for a transplant.
Here's where things get tricky. Sheila didn't want the COVID vaccine. She believed it was her right to choose what goes into her body, especially for an experimental treatment like the COVID vaccine. She voiced her concerns, and guess what? She sued the physicians and the hospital, arguing that her conscience was being violated.
Now, you'd think this case would spark a debate, right? Well, it did, but the courts didn't side with Sheila. Not even the Supreme Court of Canada would grant her the rights she fought for. They worried that giving her the win might set a precedent, causing more scrutiny of medical procedures and challenging the authority of doctors.
But there's more to this story. Sheila wasn't just fighting for herself; she was fighting against a larger issue. See, the medical establishment seems to hold a lot of power. And get this, they're backed by the government, which protects them from lawsuits related to the COVID vaccine. Yeah, you heard me right. Congress gave vaccine manufacturers a shield, preventing people who suffer adverse effects from suing them directly.
So, let's break it down. Sheila had no choice but to get the vaccine if she wanted that transplant. And if anything went wrong because of the vaccine, she couldn't hold the medical pros accountable. It's like they had all the power and control over her health decisions.
But this isn't just a tale about COVID vaccines. It's about a much bigger problem – the balance between individual choices and the authority of the medical system. This power imbalance needs to be addressed. People should have the final say when it comes to their bodies. It's time to restore the power back to individuals, so they can make decisions that affect their well-being.
You know, the brilliant thinker Ivan Illich once said, “Healthy people need no bureaucratic interference to mate, give birth, share the human condition and die.” We should take those words to heart. If we don't, we might just end up living as slaves to a system that doesn't prioritize our choices.
And let's not forget Sheila Lewis. Her story is a stark reminder that we need to stand up against a system that takes away our agency and choices.
Read more at www.westernjournal.com
