I'm a (Pro-Life) Dog, and I'm Fighting my First Battle

      Being a dog for Our Lord can be costly, but it's worth every bit of it.

      I'm applying to a local tech school for Practical Nursing. Twelve months after I start, I will, given I pass the licensing exam, be an LPN. Everything was peachy: easy application, passed the entrance exam, sent them my transcript. Then we got to the immunizations.

       I know the school's website at least used to say that some exemptions were available for vaccines. When I submitted my application, I said that I had elected not to receive the MMR and Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines, as the R (rubella) and varicella are derived from aborted fetal cell lines. When I sent my transcript to the admissions department, I reiterated that. In the reply, I was told I couldn't be place on the waiting list until I sent proof of two MMR and two varicella vaccines. I sent my immunization record: it covered MMR, but there's one thing right at the top of the page that doesn't look good: IMMUNIZATION FORECAST: VARICELLA: past due.

      Uh-oh.

      As was not unexpected, I received an email telling me I had to have another dose of the varicella vaccine, or a titre proving my immunity. I asked if I could get a religious exemption. The reply (I quote): "Unfortunately, religious exemptions do not work for our clinical sites. You must have the vaccinations or titres."

      I had no idea what a titre was, so it was probably a good thing she mentioned it. A titre is a blood test that checks to see if a person is immune to a certain disease. Considering that I had one dose of the vaccine about seventeen years ago and never had chicken pox, it's worth paying for the titre, which I'm having done on Saturday.

      I am praying that this titre comes out proving my immunity, if that is God's Will. If I'm not immune, I have a real battle on my hands, because, don't tell me "religious exemptions do not work" for you. As I discovered, it's a right covered under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, namely, that no one can be forced to violate his conscience. If it comes down to this, I will fight to the bitter end, even if I have to go to the state capitol. The whole time, I will be promoting the Culture of Life. I will be that dog with the torch, spreading fire and making noise.

      Granted, it would be easier to not have to fight so hard, but, to quote Fr. John Zuhlsdorf from the Diocese of Madison, via "Fr. Z's blog": "And I will remind you that we weren’t promised a bed of roses when we were baptized.  We who are Christ’s disciples will all drink at least some drops of the chalice He drank on Calvary. It is our task to be faithful, brave and persevere." I don't think anyone could name one saint who had an "easy" life.

      There is also the possibility (one which is not unreasonable), that, even if I get the exemption, I will be rejected, with no means of proving that this institution, which states that it "does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal or state civil rights law with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by the College" (emphasis mine), was indeed discriminating on basis of my religion. May His Holy Will be done. 

      And finally, to quote this blog's patron: "Christ is with you: be not afraid!" (Pope St. John Paul II)