AIBU That Mumsnet won't allow any discussion on the Sally Roberts case?

[Zealey]

There's something about her that is media hungry - if she hasn't sold her story to a tabloid or glossy mag in the next week then I'll take it back. But more importantly, WHY is Mumsnet towers deleting any threads discussing the case?

@Sirzy - the judge, in summing up, said 'I hope this isn't about a media tie-in' - HIS words not mine. He sensed her agenda. I have nothing against her, I don't know her. But read between the lines. Only time will tell I guess. Then I'll admit my first instincts were wrong, unreservedly.

Hmmm. I have very mixed feelings about this. I thought some of the comments on yesterday's thread showed a total lack of empathy for the strain she must be under and I don't think anyone can say exactly how they would react in a situation like this until they are in it.

Hoewver, I have a sneaking suspicion that if we were discussing, let's say, a family of Jehovah's witnesses who had refused surgery/transplant/whatever on medical grounds it would be open house to criticise them all we liked. Don't get me wrong - I'd be up there criticising them too - but this may one of those classic cases of MN double standards and hypocrisy at work here.

sorry, I meant on religious grounds obviously.

completely agree with Greeny.

It's being reported here in NZ (Sally Roberts is NZ-born) that she isn't commenting on the case as she has sold her story to one of the papers. I don't think that necessarily makes her media-hungry as god knows her legal fees must be high, just saying what's being reported.

@RedHelenB Totally agree.

OP just go and bitch about Kate Middleton or something. You clearly know jack shit about this, so leave it alone.

Agree with greensleeves. I didn't comment on the previous thread as I don't like to comment until I read the whole thread but some of the comments were vile so I stopped reading.

This poor woman is going through one of the worst things anyone has to go through. Until you are in her shoes you can't possibly imagine what it is like or what you would do.

I don't know her motivation but I would assume, like most people she is trying to do what she thinks best for her child. She may be wrong but she is going through a really tough time.

my understanding is that the DRs believe radiotherapy increase his chances (even with radio there is still a real chance of death)

as he had a second operation, that suggests chemotherapy has already failed to prevent regrowth.

tough call.

FN, this is absolutely a case on MN hypocrisy imo.

I think that perhaps it might just be because of the timing of your discussion being at best inconsiderate, and at worst downright rude.

Perhaps the mother uses this forum in some way, can you imagine coming across a discussion at this point in your life where half the people are being judgemental and awful with it?

I'd much rather back the hell off and let the woman and courts do what they need to do, and for the father and child and anyone else involved in this heart rending story be allowed to do so in peace.

I support leaving this topic alone.

The thread that was deleted was pretty vile. And crass. And unkind.

@littletownofbethlehelenmumsnet.
Here you go... www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1641078-AIBU-to-think-Sally-Roberts-is-barking-mad

Edgar they wanted radiotherapy in the first case but she wouldn't allow it.

@LunaticFringe

Helen a thread was removed yesterday as it asked is she barking?

Yes, I stand corrected - have just read our logs.

This is what RowanMumsnet posted before deletion: "Hello. Sorry to be a bit late getting to this one. We try, wherever possible, to allow MNers to
discuss newsworthy events - but we agree with many of you that the tone of some posts on this thread are too unkind to a woman in an awful situation. So the thread will be disappearing shortly."

So, the thread was deleted because it was beyond awful, not because it was about Sally Roberts per se.

Hope that clarifies...

I suppose a well reasoned debate about consent in the treatment of life threatening illnesses in children and the difficult dilemmas that come with these discussions done tactfully and sensitively maybe referrencing this and other cases might be interesting and helpful.
Slagging off the mother of a gravely ill child - not helpful.
HTH

OP - your OP isn't about the case, autonomy of a mother etc, though. It is discussing whether she is 'media hungry'.

Actually I do not know why it is splashed all over the media, including his name and pictures of him - he must be aware of it, and some of the coverage is cringeworthy.

Poor child.

Exactly hobnob

It is possible to disagree with someone without slagging them off

Friends of ours had to face this and several other dilemmas as their DD has recurrent medullablasotma.
Trust me it is the worst of hobsons choice

Several previous quotes attributed to her suggest she doesn't trust UK doctors, after one apparently said to her that the radiotherapy would fry her son's brain. If that was said, it may have been a crass attempt at a joke, that has backfired by spurring the mother on to try and get other medical opinions.

Of course she is under the worst possible strain any mother could be under. But forgive me if I fail to understand why when told by doctors that without the treatment her son will die. Why does she refuse treatment. I cannot understand this at all.