My @shotatlife A-team of mini advocates #vaccinesmatter
Last night I asked my children a tough question. If they died, what would they miss most about their life?
A child dies every 20 seconds from a vaccine preventable disease somewhere in the world. This week is World Immunization Week and the world is acting in a big way to change this number. There are millions of vaccines being distributed on the ground where they are needed most. The Shot@Life campaign is officially launching and volunteers and advocates all over the country are making some noise!
As a Shot@Life champion, I’ve been thinking a whole lot about milestones, and “firsts” in my kids lives. It led me to wonder what do they see as the all important elements?
Here’s what they came up with (guess who was top of the list – no I didn’t bribe them!):
- Mum (Mom)
- Dad
- Each other
- Nature
- Best friends
- Cousins
- Toys
- Percy Jackson books (later expanded to all books)
- Singing and music
- Seafood tacos from California (later expanded to all favorite foods)
- Animals
- Uncles, aunties, grandparents
- Sledding
- Swimming
- Angry Birds
- School (at least it made it to the list!)
- Sleeping in
- Dreaming
- Favorite ninja TV show
Doesn’t every kid deserve a shot at their own list of favorite people/ places/ activities/ things in life? For $20, or a week’s worth of coffee, you can vaccinate a child against the big four of measles, pneumonia, diarrhea and polio. Will you give today?
Note: In case you’re worried that I’ve completely freaked them out, my children are comfortable with the topic of loss, they have experienced losing loved ones and have a robust faith in the hereafter. This was a happy and comfortable conversation, albeit a very thoughtful one.
Welcome to to When You Wake Up A Mother. We’d love to see you again. Please subscribe via email or RSS. Or follow on Twitter or Facebook. What will you do today to wake up the world? We invite you to share your thoughts, your action and your heart right here.
The Shot@Life Campaign is under the umbrella of the UN Foundation for whom I consult as community manager for the Million Moms Challenge. I have provided both paid and unpaid advice on Shot@Life.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You totally bribed them!! LOL.
Ha ha! I’ll never tell :).