Footy star’s wife defends decision to anti-vax kids

The wife of NRL player Bryce Cartwright has sparked fierce debate, with strangers weighing in on their stance on jabs

The pregnant wife of NRL football star Bryce Cartwright has defended her controversial decision not to vaccinate her children after receiving heavy criticism.

Shanelle Cartwright, 20, took to her Instagram stories to clarify her stance, stating she’s “not anti-vax”.

Addressing those who have “trolled” her online, the mum — who is currently 39 weeks pregnant with her second bub — went into detail on her parenting decision.

Ms Cartwright wrote: “I am not ‘anti-vaxx’. I have many mama friends that vaccinate their kids and I RESPECT their decisions.

“That’s what they felt best for their families and there is no room for parents to judge parents — we are all doing our best for our own kids.

“No hate from us over here.”

Shanelle Cartwright has defended her decision to not vaccinate her bubs, after her story received a huge response from both for and against camps.

She posted this message to Instagram, clarifying she was “not ‘anti-vax’”.

Yesterday, the personal trainer revealed her 13-month-old son Koa hadn’t been immunised in a Q&A on her social channel, revealing her newborn wouldn’t be either.

“He’s not vaccinated — none of our babes will be,” she shared.

Her stance prompted questions from curious parents, both for and against, with one asking if the decision to not have them vaccinated could affect the schools they can attend.

“They can go to school (so far) … if the law changes, I’ll home school before I vaccinate,” she said.

She also revealed her husband — who plays for the Gold Coast Titans — was hesitant at first, but soon changed his mind after research.

“I remember he (Bryce) was so defensive when I first brought it up and got angry at me for even suggesting that we shouldn’t vaccinate,” Ms Cartwright said.

“And then he read a package insert and a few pages of one of Dr Suzanne Humphries books and saw vaccines under a different light. And now we’re here.”

Dr Suzanne Humphries is a prominent voice in the anti-vax community.

Ms Cartwright’s posts received huge attention, with parents on either side of the debate.

Some of the strongest criticism accused the couple of putting others — as well as their own family — in danger.

Did anyone read the article on “Titans star Bryce Cartwright” and his wife refusing to vaccinate, use nappies or hospitals for their children? Literally the stupidest thing I’ve ever read.

— BallerSprts Rugby League News, Views & Opinions (@LeagueHeadlines) February 12, 2019

Aside from forgetting how to play last season, now Bryce Cartwright and his wife are anti-vaxxers. That should go down a treat at the Titans family bbqs https://t.co/vExXatMcXa

— Phil Lutton (@phillutton78) February 12, 2019

I wouldn't have thought Bryce Cartwright and his missus could be so insanely stupid and believe misnomers with regard to vaccination. Won't be surprised if they were complaining they can't get their child into a decent school down the track due to no jab

— Julie (@jaykay287) February 12, 2019

A Facebook user explained they thought the young parents behaviour was “abhorrent”.

“The reason non-vaccinated kids don’t get sick is because obviously all the kids around them who have been (vaccinated) are not getting the diseases,” they said.

But Ms Cartwright has shared multiple screenshots of messages from parents who agree with their position, most sharing their own vaccination horror stories.

“Hey hun, just wanted to say thank you for speaking publicly on vaccines, it’s not a topic many are open to listening to, but if you can get one person to question it, it’s worth it,” one supportive message read.

Shanelle and Bryce have received positive comments too.

“I’ve been a closet non-vaxxer for 7 years now when my eldest had his third round of injections at just 6 months old and got really sick,” another said.

“My daughter was severely injured by them (vaccinations),” one mum wrote. “We no longer vaccinate.”

But Ms Cartwright’s stance was also widely condemned by parents and medical experts.

The Australian Medical Association issued a warning about “unnecessary dangers to public health” on Tuesday evening in response, The Daily Telegraph reported.

A recent warning from the World Health Organisation (WHO) blamed the anti-vax movement on the recent measles outbreak.

Currently, unvaccinated children are banned from enrolling in preschool in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland under the “no jab, no play” laws.

Health authorities have also publicly warned anti-vaxxers about the dangers of not protecting against disease.

At a federal level, the Australian government has previously introduced laws that link immunisations to benefit payments available to families.

If a family does not fully immunise their children up to the age of 19, they will not be able to claim the full amount of family tax benefit or child care benefits, the Department of Human Services states.

Her posts yesterday addressed many things, from their source of research, to their plans to try elimination communication.

Ms Cartwright said both she and her husband were both “fully vaccinated” up until the end of high-school she also said yesterday, adding they both also have “allergies and auto-immune disorders”.

“We now obviously don’t vaccinate ourselves and are in the (slooooow) process of healing,” she said.

Other questions from parents included how the pair keep Koa healthy without the vaccines, and which form of birth control she uses since embracing a natural, “low-tox” lifestyle.

“We nourish and support his gut health with wholefoods and probiotics,” she said yesterday, adding she also recommends “exclusively breastfeeding for six months”.

Ms Cartwright also said she would not use nappies when her newborn arrives.

“For this baby we are going to try no nappies and do elimination communication,” she wrote, explaining she would teach her bub to go outside on the grass.

This is something she’s also addressed, clarifying she has used nappies with her first born.

“Koa has always (and still does) wear nappies. We said we will try elimination communication.”

News.com.au contacted Ms Cartwright for comment.