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Whittemore Peterson NEWS!

Orla

Senior Member
Messages
708
Location
Ireland
Bully beef

I think it is unrealistic and undesirable at this point that the WPI have any medical media rep outside of the US. There are different politics going on in different places and they could never keep up, and you don't want to end up with some crackpot coming out with crazy statements on behalf of the WPI.

It makes sense for them to focus on the US media as that is where they will get most publicity anyway, and it is possible that Dr. Donnica will occassionally be interviewed via video link in other countries (hopefully that won't have her running for the hills if she sees this!). From our (European) point of view, what the WPI will be doing for us, is research and then it is up to us to use this research as it comes out.

Is there any evidence that Chris Steele is any good on ME? Just had a quick look, and this this page isn't bad I would not be happy with this sentence:

"Rest and adequate sleep is essential in the treatment of this disease, with a recovery programme involving gradually increasing amounts of daily exertion. At present, there is no 'cure' for ME, and many patients can take a long time to recover."

http://health.virginmedia.com/post-viral-fatigue-syndrome.htm

He may be sympathetic and not hardline wessely-school, but this doesn't mean he has anything other than a cursory knowledge of ME. Edit: He has done some sympathetic coveage of ME but I am not convinced he would have the knowledge to be a spokesperson, and there is every chance he would know this himself. Also with his job it would be a potential conflict of interest so he probably wouldn't be able to do it.

I think it is important not to look to celebreties too much, especially if they don't have some family connection (as Dr. Donnica has). Even good doctors can come out with some awful rubbish unless they have it themseles or a close family member has it. Also most doctors knowledge base is normally so low in terms of research (unlike people directly involved in charities, for example) that they wouldn't know how to argue a case with some sneaky but sharpe Wessely school person.

And the celebrity thing has been a bit of a fiasco in the UK (Barbara Windsor, Esther Ranson, the canoeist etc.) so I always feel slightly alarmed when people try to go down that route,
Orla
 

ukme

Senior Member
Messages
169
I'm really pleased about this, what a great step forward for the WPI and of course, for us.
 
Messages
3
Couldnt be a better spokesperson than Dr.Donnica!
WPI really think and act in a fantastic way, both research and PR/information.
When they succeed to change the opinion and knowledge in the US, it also affect us in a positive way in Europe.
 

anne_likes_red

Senior Member
Messages
1,103
I could not agree with your post more! :)


I've long thought that the best spokesperson would be a healthy family member of a patient; someone who had seen a loved one go from healthy to sick with CFS. To have a M.D. who is already media savvy in addition to that is great.
In Washington family members of patients with other illnesses are common as advocates. CFS has had a strikingly small number of those compared to other illnesses. Hopefully many others will follow these role models.

The WPI continues to impress me.
 

V99

Senior Member
Messages
1,471
Location
UK
I was wondering if the TV presenter & doctor, David Bull might work. I heard him once on a chat show, speaking briefly on ME. He was very adamant of the severity of the disease.
 

usedtobeperkytina

Senior Member
Messages
1,479
Location
Clay, Alabama
Celebrity can be good or not. Cher had some baggage, but she has over the top notoriety.

Michael J. Fox has done a great job for Parkinson's.

The other guy who got hurt and is paralyzed has been a great spokesperson for that problem.

Tina