On 26 Oct 2009 at 20:06, Beth Benoit wrote: > > Lots of buzz that this is a hoax. Including the Orthopedic Surgeon to whom > I'm married. Note that > "dystonia" is a symptom, not a diagnosis.
It's an interesting question whether this is a hoax. The bizarre nature of her symptoms suggests this, as does the fact that the story is mostly relayed by wacko websites mounting anti- vaccination campaigns. The story has not been picked up by any major news services. And certainly hoaxes are not unknown on the Internet. But if it is a hoax, the video presentations and articles on her case do nothing to give it away. A local newspaper, the Loudon Times-Mirror and a local reporter from her home town of Ashburn, Virginia appear to be the original and credible source for the story. See http://loudountimes.com/news/2009/oct/12/column-flu-shot- system/ Also, NBC Washington, which I assume is an NBC affiliate, is an apparently credible source which relates the story (See http://www.nbcwashington.com/topics/?topic=Desiree+Jennings Desiree Jennings of Ashburn, Virginia does exist, listed as placing 20th in a 5K race held on August 16, 2009, which is consistent with her story. http://results.active.com/pages/displayNonGru.jsp?rsID=82672 All in all, I'd tend to accept this unfortunate story as true (but I'm still gonna get my swine flu shot). Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: sbl...@ubishops.ca 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)
