On this 4th of July holiday, I think about our many freedoms, some of which we take for granted. This year, I fear the possible loss of my freedom to choose and to speak far more than I fear terrorists, because with increasing frequency, people individual’s freedom to express their philosophies, methodologies and beliefs.
What is Freedom?
Merriam-Webster defines freedom as “the power to speak, think or act without externally imposed restraints.” When our forefathers wrote the Bill of Rights over 200 years ago, they guaranteed us various freedoms, some of which are now in jeopardy.
Freedom of Speech
It is no accident that Freedom of Speech is the first freedom in the First Amendment. The Constitution’s framers saw freedom of expression as the hallmark of a democratic society, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Several years ago, a long-time supporter of alternative approaches to learning disabilities, invited me to present a workshop on Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) at the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of California fall conference. A paper I had written on NLD caught her attention.
Following the distribution of the conference brochure, which listed a provocative title for my session, LDA-CA was hounded by emails protesting my presentation. Why? Because I questioned the diagnosis, and suggested that NLD might be mitigated by movement and vision therapies. Some incensed NLD advocates waged an Internet campaign demanding that I be stricken as a speaker.
Suppose even one of those who protested my talk had bothered to contact me. Instead of throwing temper tantrums, we might have had the opportunity for dialogue. Even better, we each might have learned something! Near the same time, I cancelled a program on “Treating ADD without Drugs.” Why? Because someone learned that several years ago, quackbusters had suspended the medical license of our keynote speaker. She assumed him guilty as charged.
What this uninformed person did not learn was that the speaker had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to recoup his license, so that he could help more patients. He is one of many fine physicians who have been harrassed for exercising their freedom of speech. Fortunately, these doctors care more about relationships with their patients than with their pharmaceutical reps.
Izzy Kalman, a school psychologist, and expert on bullying, believes that much of the fighting in our schools and on our playgrounds is a result of the lack of freedom of speech. He says “freedom of speech” is just a slogan today. Remember when kids called each other names, and “sticks and stones could break our bones, but names could never hurt us?” Today’s kids, prohibited from using “bad” words, must resort to stronger means to exercise their rights of expression.
Freedom of Choice
Freedom of religion is the law of the land, but other important choices are also at stake. Many parents demand that the freedom to choose a vaccination schedule tailored to their children’s needs should be their right in a democracy.
How many more innocent children have to become autistic or disabled before the medical community admits that mass vaccination is harming the health of future generations?
What You Can Do
• Whenever feeling pressured to make a forced choice, take time to think it over. You have this option in all medical situations. Once a physician makes a diagnosis, there are many treatments to consider. Learn about all of them.
• Support those who advocate for the causes you believe in. As you consider making donations, give them to organizations that fight for your freedoms. Wear their t-shirts and be a mobile billboard.
• Use the media to your advantage. Subscribe to magazines and newsletters that give you the latest information, not the status quo. If you view or read anything that you find disturbing, take time to write an e-mail or letter in protest.
• Walk the walk. Talk the talk. Be an advocate for freedoms of all kinds. Volunteer for good causes and be an example to your kids. Help them understand their heritage and what our forefathers fought so hard to win. Let’s not lose it now!
Happy Independence Day!
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