Janet Dafoe - The Whitney Plea

Edited at the request of the poster.

This post showed a video of a young boy doing a similar action to that shown by Janet. It was felt by the poster and the mod team that, given the nature of the subsequent discussion, it was no longer appropriate that he be identifiable in a public thread.
 
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Sorry to say this feels a bit like a strange cult or club ...I get it, but I am creeped out by it a bit.

Sorry maybe it’s just me....seems like it’s a special sign or ritual led by the head of a religious sect.

I’m not sure this is powerful more a bit disturbing.

I’ve held back saying anything and thought about this a lot before posting, but that last video really made me want to say something.
 
arewenearlythereyet said:
Sorry to say this feels a bit like a strange cult or club ...I get it, but I am creeped out by it a bit.

Sorry maybe it’s just me....seems like it’s a special sign or ritual led by the head of a religious sect.

I’m not sure this is powerful more a bit disturbing.

I’ve held back saying anything and thought about this a lot before posting, but that last video really made me want to say something.
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I disagree. It's a way for people who might not be able to communicate to articulate their desire to get better. It's uncomfortable, but it's supposed to be. It's a travesty that so many people are so ill, and there's nothing (or next to nothing) being done about it except for a tiny handful of exceptions.

I think some people will have a strong gut reaction to this. Good. It's hardly AIDS patients flinging their dying bodies at people, but it's a start.
 
adambeyoncelowe said:
I disagree. It's a way for people who might not be able to communicate to articulate their desire to get better. It's uncomfortable, but it's supposed to be. It's a travesty that so many people are so ill, and there's nothing (or next to nothing) being done about it except for a tiny handful of exceptions.

I think some people will have a strong gut reaction to this. Good. It's hardly AIDS patients flinging their dying bodies at people, but it's a start.
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I understand the sentiment, I’m just pointing out the potential downside. I realise that this is emotional for some but looking at it dispassionately as a device for communication I think it has some drawbacks. The first impression (shock) should lead to realisation or further enquiry not suspicion. Linking this seemingly miraculous (almost religious) response to a treatment (that others in advocacy are saying doesn’t exist) makes me suscipisious I’m afraid.

Looks like a publicity stunt for the OMF and brings everything back to them. I find this totally repugnant.
 
arewenearlythereyet said:
Sorry to say this feels a bit like a strange cult or club ...I get it, but I am creeped out by it a bit.

Sorry maybe it’s just me....seems like it’s a special sign or ritual led by the head of a religious sect.

I’m not sure this is powerful more a bit disturbing.

I’ve held back saying anything and thought about this a lot before posting, but that last video really made me want to say something.
Click to expand...
Well I wasn't going to say anything, but I completely agree with you.
 
arewenearlythereyet said:
Sorry to say this feels a bit like a strange cult or club ...I get it, but I am creeped out by it a bit.

Sorry maybe it’s just me....seems like it’s a special sign or ritual led by the head of a religious sect.

I’m not sure this is powerful more a bit disturbing.

I’ve held back saying anything and thought about this a lot before posting, but that last video really made me want to say something.
Click to expand...

:eek: I find this a bit disturbing too. I have more than a passing interest in voluntary assisted dying etc. and the action immediately looked very much to me like a plea to be helped to die. Seeing a child do it took me aback.
 
arewenearlythereyet said:
Sorry to say this feels a bit like a strange cult or club ...I get it, but I am creeped out by it.
Click to expand...

Me too. It could be interpreted in so many strange ways.

Edit: For me personally: my first interpretation of that symbol for someone in whitney’s state (i was in that state for years too) is not a symbol of ‘help me to get better’ I won’t mention what it means to me.
 
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Agreed, and the potential for mocking is very high. We don't need any more mocking. I'm imagining a late night host or stand-up comic making the twirly hand motion and saying something rude :(
I appreciate what Janet is getting at here, but more thought needs to go into the audience.

I agree that if someone cannot speak they can use a placard with their message.
 
arewenearlythereyet said:
Sorry to say this feels a bit like a strange cult or club ...I get it, but I am creeped out by it a bit.

Sorry maybe it’s just me....seems like it’s a special sign or ritual led by the head of a religious sect.

I’m not sure this is powerful more a bit disturbing.

I’ve held back saying anything and thought about this a lot before posting, but that last video really made me want to say something.
Click to expand...
Would we say the same thing if he used a few words of sign language instead?
 
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