Freedom of choice

How much freedom of choice do we really have in life?

I am filled with a sense of urgency to make some major changes in my own life and start putting more effort and time in fueling this revolution to empowered self-care. Nobody has your back, cares about your health, your family, or your life as much as you do. There is no reason to trust the media, the government or pharmaceutical corporations, as I fear corruption and fraud have taken over. I feel called to write about this, after watching the documentaries ‘Bought’, ‘Freedom from Choice’, and 'The Quest for the Cure' (The Truth about Cancer).

Life should be about freedom of choice. We should be free to choose what we eat, what we read, how we spend our time and which treatment we think is best for us when we need it. Every day we make choices that determine how we want to live. But what if these choices are just an illusion? We are aware of how the laws, bylaws, and regulations regulate our behavior. But do people realize how their food, healthcare, and education is made available in a such a way that it may seem we have a choice, but in reality, the choice has been made for us? When walking through a supermarket, it definitely seems like we have more than enough choices. But are coco puffs, fruit loops, and all the other cereals a choice, or more of the same 'empty' food? Most people may not know what other choices exist. The healthy choices may be harder to get to, sometimes more expensive and even made unavailable or illegal. As you may know, selling raw milk is illegal. This is to protect you from the risk of the harm it can do to you. Isn’t it strange that it is okay to sell cigarettes, alcohol or food that has been sprayed with toxins or has been genetically manipulated? That sounds much riskier to me

When walking through a supermarket, it definitely seems like we have more than enough choices. But are coco puffs, fruit loops, and all the other cereals a choice, or more of the same 'empty' food? Most people may not know what other choices exist. The healthy choices may be harder to get to, sometimes more expensive and even made unavailable or illegal. As you may know, selling raw milk is illegal. This is to protect you from the risk of the harm it can do to you. Isn’t it strange that it is okay to sell cigarettes, alcohol or food that has been sprayed with toxins or has been genetically manipulated? That sounds much riskier to me than drinking raw milk. We don’t get to make that choice; the government makes it for us. It is time to wake up, even if it seems much easier at times to have the government make choices for you, and believing and trusting that they know what’s best for you. But how far are you willing to go? What if one day you realize you don’t like the choices you are

We don’t get to make that choice; the government makes it for us. It is time to wake up, even if it seems much easier at times to have the government make choices for you, and believing and trusting that they know what’s best for you. But how far are you willing to go? What if one day you realize you don’t like the choices you are given because you realize they are dangerous for your health and well-being? It is important to take responsibility now for your own life, do your own research and make more sensible choices. It is not too late to choose a different path.

The choices I have, to practice as a healthcare professional, are regulated too. I no longer want to compromise the way I practice and teach people. I feel I can't work the way I want to, under the umbrella of a professional regulatory body. I can no longer support a medical system that has such big gaps in it but still claims to be based on truthful, pure science. The problem is big companies and government have great power and authority over the media, and people trust and believe what is presented in the media.

Conflict of interest, disempowerment, and liability

The absence of choice is especially apparent when insurance companies are involved. I am deeply saddened by some practices that I feel come close to the definition of bullying when healthcare professionals with authority display behavior that is disempowering for a patient. Patients may lose some or most of the gain they had made, are robbed of their confidence, and sometimes end up in tears from feeling so humiliated. Patients are just too afraid to jeopardize their case and they are scared of not being taken seriously if they don’t do as they are told. Where is the free choice in that? The insurance company’s main objective is to limit the settlement they have to pay. The process is often slowed down and cases can drag on for years. How is it possible to recover from an injury, when people are put through such an incredibly stressful process? They are forced to prove their injuries to an insurance company whose interest is not the health of the patient. It is a conflict of interest.

How is it possible to recover from an injury, when people are put through such an incredibly stressful process? They are forced to prove their injuries to an insurance company whose interest is not the health of the patient. It is a conflict of interest.

A choice is also absent when a patient is sent to a specialist who prescribes drugs that have such negative side effects that the patient does not want to take them. However, they are afraid to be labeled noncompliant and they are encouraged to do whatever the doctor tells them to do, even if it makes them sicker. I have seen patients completely drugged up, unable to learn or retain anything that would help their recovery.

Doctors and healthcare providers don’t have much choice either. They are regulated by policies and regulations too. Since the pharmaceutical industry rules the policies, whatever makes them more money will be presented as the best evidence-based practice for doctors to follow. Even if it kills people. Over 140,000 people die each year from prescription drugs in the US. The FDA does not seem to be concerned about it.

Since we also live in a culture of liability, policies are in place to regulate how healthcare professionals should minimize the risk of a lawsuit. Lately, more and more clinics have their patients sign a liability waiver, fueling distrust and concerns about safety. Practitioners are put in a position where they are more responsible for the patient’s well-being than the patients themselves. How can patients be empowered to take care of themselves, and take responsibility for their health, if they are encouraged to put their health in the hands of others? The patient is made more and more passive, needing to be told what to do, and then when it doesn’t work or they get worse, they can blame the doctor or therapist. Instead of having an army of lawyers ready, and armoring up with more policies and insurances to protect against lawsuits, healthcare providers should be educating patients about their responsibilities, encouraging their active involvement in the treatment and empowering them by providing options and choices so they can make their own decisions. How is this possible in a

How can patients be empowered to take care of themselves, and take responsibility for their health, if they are encouraged to put their health in the hands of others? The patient is made more and more passive, needing to be told what to do, and then when it doesn’t work or they get worse, they can blame the doctor or therapist. Instead of having an army of lawyers ready, and armoring up with more policies and insurances to protect against lawsuits, healthcare providers should be educating patients about their responsibilities, encouraging their active involvement in the treatment and empowering them by providing options and choices so they can make their own decisions. How is this possible in a

Instead of having an army of lawyers ready, and armoring up with more policies and insurances to protect against lawsuits, healthcare providers should be educating patients about their responsibilities, encouraging their active involvement in the treatment and empowering them by providing options and choices so they can make their own decisions. How is this possible in a ten-minute consultation?

Disconnected

I cannot participate in such a dysfunctional system as a health care practitioner anymore. Evidence-based practice, avoiding risks of lawsuits and limitations from insurance companies, have replaced common sense, connecting with patients, educating them, providing them with more choices, and being there on the journey to health with them.

Charles Eisenstein writes about how we have become disconnected.

These are some of the aspects he mentions that strip us of our connection and belongingness:

• A legal culture of liability in which everyone is assumed to be a potential opponent.
• Schooling that keeps children indoors, fosters competition, and accustoms them to doing things they don’t care about for the sake of external rewards.
• Media images that make us feel inferior and unworthy
• An ideology of nature-as-resource that cuts us off from our connectedness to other beings and leaves us feeling alone in the universe.
• Cultural deskilling that leaves us as passive, helpless consumers of experiences.
• Immersion in a world of strangers, whose faces we don’t recognize and whose stories we don’t know.
• Perhaps most importantly, a metaphysics that tells us that we are discrete, separate selves in a universe of Other.

My objective is not to fight against anything or anybody. It is not my intention to judge. Most healthcare practitioners are, like me, trying to do their very best to help other people with the means they have. Some policies and laws are really helpful to protect the public from harm. I believe we can do much better, though, by becoming more aware of what is really happening and gaining a broader perspective of what is important, what is at stake and what we really have to lose by giving away our power and choice. It is important to question the system in place and get more educated, as the rise of more disease and poor health is not acceptable.

My way of contributing to a better world is to be an example, by doing something different, stepping out of this crazy cycle of dysfunction, honoring my true purpose and generating the courage to follow my inner passion. Letting go of what has given me a purpose and security for over 25 years is not easy. Stepping into the unknown is more like a leap of faith. It is scary! The only way I can stay true to myself is to trust my heart and reduce the chatter in my head. You can begin your personal change by watching some of the documentaries mentioned: ‘Bought’, ‘Freedom from Choice’ and 'The Quest for the Cures'. There is much more information available. Start caring for the planet and the environment, as well as for your and your family’s

Letting go of what has given me a purpose and security for over 25 years is not easy. Stepping into the unknown is more like a leap of faith. It is scary! The only way I can stay true to myself is to trust my heart and reduce the chatter in my head. You can begin your personal change by watching some of the documentaries mentioned: ‘Bought’, ‘Freedom from Choice’ and 'The Quest for the Cures'. There is much more information available. Start caring for the planet and the environment, as well as for your and your family’s

The only way I can stay true to myself is to trust my heart and reduce the chatter in my head. You can begin your personal change by watching some of the documentaries mentioned: ‘Bought’, ‘Freedom from Choice’ and 'The Quest for the Cures'. There is much more information available. Start caring for the planet and the environment, as well as for your and your family’s

You can begin your personal change by watching some of the documentaries mentioned: ‘Bought’, ‘Freedom from Choice’ and 'The Quest for the Cures'. There is much more information available. Start caring for the planet and the environment, as well as for your and your family’s

Start caring for the planet and the environment, as well as for your and your family’s well-being, by learning more and researching other paths to health.

Don't Blindly Trust

Don’t just blindly trust what you are being fed. Expand your array of choices to increase your chances of a more vibrant, empowered life.

Step one on my new journey is stepping outside the box and focus on the Revolution to Empowered Self-Care.

You have so much more power than you think! You have to help yourself, there are so many simple things you can do to feel better without risk or side effects.

I appreciate all comments and feedback.