Why won’t they stop? Why???? Valentine’s Day has already been watered down by the fact that students in school can’t give cards to just the special people in their lives, they must give them to everyone in their class. What’s the point, there is no specialness in that, and isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is about? The special people in your life? And now the politically correct gurus at Caroline Robbins School in Saskatoon have renamed Valentine’s Day as White, Pink, and Red Day. This is so pathetically sad, I don’t know what else to say about it.
In other news this week, another member of the rich and famous has died of a suspected overdose. With the death of Whitney Houston, tragic as it is, I have heard it mentioned again that addiction is a disease just like cancer, or any other disease. I completely disagree with that notion. It is NOT the same.
Addiction is labelled as a disease these days in order to free the addicted from any responsibility. I don’t say this because I think it is easy to deal with an addition. I know it is not. I also know that addiction is often the symptom of other problems, such as depression. Depression, I agree, is a disease and the afflicted should receive whatever help they need. However, to include addiction in that category removes the implication that there was ever any choice in the matter. With addiction, there is always the beginning in which there is a choice. Even after a person is addicted, there is still a choice to get help or not.
When it comes to cancer, there is NEVER any choice in the matter. So please stop calling addiction a disease and call it what it is, an addiction.
Although I don't necessarily disagree that addiction and other diseases are different, I can't believe you wrote that there is NEVER any choice when it comes to cancer. Most diseases are preventable to some extent and to say they are not shows not a lack of political correctness but a lack of education. Lifestyle choice can greatly reduce our risk of most illness, especially proper nutrition and exercise. Is someone who chooses to eat a diet high in sugar and fat more likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, and cancer than someone who stays fit and eats a healthy, plant rich, high fiber diet? Absolutely! The National Cancer Institute in the US reports that upwards of 75% of cancer deaths are caused by harmful behaviours (choices) such as smoking, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Propagating the notion that we have no choice in our health is a disservice to all! It's never too late to start make positive healthy choices that reduce our health risks! If you are reading this, start today to make small changes in your lifestyle that can positively benefit your health in the long run.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, I should not have used "never". Although, with addiction, the choice is definitely more clear. Thank you for your comments.
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