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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is in very poor taste?

49 replies

LarrytheCucumber · 20/09/2014 10:05

My DD has MS. This morning I was on the phone to her and she received the MS Society's Christmas Catalogue featuring T shirts, badges and a glass with 'I'm not drunk I have MS' on them and the words 'Help to spread awareness of MS and the work of the MS Society through the 'I'm not drunk' campaign' printed alongside the items.
I realise this is meant to be jokey, but DD threw hers straight in the bin because she felt it was in poor taste.
I have found it really hard to come to terms with her MS (she was diagnosed 12 years ago and has been through some pretty tough times).
It still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.
Am I just being oversensitive?

OP posts:
HeadingHome · 20/09/2014 10:12

YNBU that's pretty gross.

Cornettoninja · 20/09/2014 10:12

Hmmm I'm a little mixed on this.

I can definitely see your point, but a few conditions diabetes, epilepsy and ms, can look like drunkeness to others and make them not offer help when it's needed.

I know people with each of the above and can think of examples where they have needed help and some passerbys have dismissed them as drunks. It upsets me to think of them in those situations so I can't hand on heart fault a campaign that might make people think twice if they spot someone alone in public slurring, losing their balance or acting strangely.

FlumpsRule · 20/09/2014 10:15

I think that raising awareness of MS and the possibility that someone in the street who looks 'drunk' could actually be a sufferer, is a positive thing. Much like the signs of a stroke campaign.

WorraLiberty · 20/09/2014 10:16

My MIL has MS and she's sick to death of people cracking 'jokes', like "Had a few have you?" when she's walking.

So I can see why they might be doing this.

Viviennemary · 20/09/2014 10:16

I can see why your daughter was offended. But surely they will have done some research to see if that particular slogan was offensive. Personally speaking, I think the slogan is a good idea. But if she objects then she should make her feelings known to the society.

pudcat · 20/09/2014 10:17

I don't think it is meant to be jokey. It is telling people that not all people appearing drunk are drunk.

MollyBdenum · 20/09/2014 10:19

I have friends with neurological conditions which cause clumsiness and slurred speech who have been refused entry to events because of their "drunkenness" so I think that raising awareness in a light hearted way is not a bad thing.

CinnabarRed · 20/09/2014 10:21

I think it's a great slogan. My mum has MS.

HeySoulSister · 20/09/2014 10:27

I've seen it before, certainly not new

I think it's fine, gets a good message out there

Squeegle · 20/09/2014 10:32

I'm sorry your daughter was upset, but it's not meant as a joke. Many people misread the symptoms of MS as drunkenness because of the slurring.
I think I remember Stuart Henry the DJ was sacked because his emotes thought he was drunk; in fact he had MS.

The more people who understand the better.

WeirdCatLady · 20/09/2014 10:32

I think it's great, I always think if you can make people smile you get your point across better.
I think it's a shame to throw the whole christmas booklet away because of disliking one slogan.

Squeegle · 20/09/2014 10:33

Emotes= employers

Original poster
LarrytheCucumber · 20/09/2014 10:44

Interesting comments. I still feel upset round the whole MS issue I think, even though she is currently on a good drug and is the best she's been in years.

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 20/09/2014 10:49

Completely understandable Larry. It's great that your dd has found something that is effective for her. Smile

Armchair psychology, but I wonder if you and your dd are actually offended that people would equate ms symptoms =drunk and because your sensitive to it can't quite see that's exactly what the campaign is targeting and trying to educate on.

It is offensive, that's their point. It's not a 'my other cars a rolls royce' type of whacky slogan.

Mrsjayy · 20/09/2014 10:51

This isn't meant in bad taste I think its a good slogan peple with neurological conditions have enough to cope with without folk thinking they have had a few too many. So the mssocsociety are promoting this slogan its catchy and to the point.

Teddybeau1988 · 20/09/2014 11:44

I don't think it's a bad thing if it makes people consider medical issues rather than assuming alcohols been involved.

Serverall years ago my friend had a fit on a night out with a group of people he didn't know too well. They told the paramedic they truthfully didnt know that he hasn't taken anything and they didnt know he was epileptic. They all felt abit guilty after as they assumed he was on something. On a happy note though, as he was thrashing round on the floor he knocked out a girl who was trying to help him and they get married last year

Original poster
LarrytheCucumber · 20/09/2014 11:47

Cornettoninja would it still be appropriate if it said 'I'm not drunk I have cerebral palsy'?
I think it is true that it is a bit too close to home for us.
I have a cousin with secondary progressive MS who is in a wheelchair and needs carers to get her up in the morning and put her to bed at night (she's only 61) so my view of MS is very much coloured by this and I do worry that later DD might go down the same path.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 20/09/2014 11:52

It's hard isn't it? I know quite a lot of people with Ms and different neurological conditions, from support groups when dh1 was ill. Most of them prefer to bring humour into it. Some as a distraction and others because it demonstrates that they are still people with a sense of humour and not just someone with Ms.

Cornettoninja · 20/09/2014 12:12

I think so yes. It's one of those judgements that people across a broad range of conditions have experienced.

My friend in the very early stages of her ms (who has very sadly declined rapidly since and uses a stick or wheelchair now so has a 'nice' visible signal and is treated much better by the general public) was reduced to tears after losing her balance and staggering against the bar on a night out in a restaurant and hearing whispers of 'one too many eh?'. The tears were probably more about coming to terms with her diagnosis if I'm honest, but I know she felt really conspicuous.

Same things have been commented on with a friend with diabetes who goes giddy and silly when her sugars are off.

It's upsetting when the first judgement is someone's drunk.

kali110 · 20/09/2014 12:17

I think it's a good slogan. People with ms have been mistaken to be drunk ??
Teddy how wonderful!
I cant even imagine how hard it is. Im on powerful medication that messes with my speech and it can appear as though iv had a few when in reality i no longer drink.

Mrsjayy · 20/09/2014 12:21

I agree with what lunar1 said having an illness or disability is just rubbish but this slogan can help people to understand and the person is a person they are not the illness iyswim, lots of charities and foundations have slogan s campaigns like this I think it is empowering ,

pigsDOfly · 20/09/2014 12:27

My reaction was the same as yours Larry when I read your post. But reading what others have said I can see that it probably isn't meant in a jokey way but is mean't to be factual.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure how effective it's going be in educating people. I think people will still make the same judgements that if people are slurring their word or are wobbly then they've had too much to drink.

I have no problems of this nature, thankfully, but I remember walking down a very narrow street with my dog a while ago and in trying to avoid people and not fall over my dog I tripped on the kerb and sort of spun round. Got all sorts of horrified looks and someone commenting in a loud voice about being drunk. Not sure anyone would have stopped to help me if I'd needed it.

MS is a horrible condition. Pleased to hear your DD has found a drug that works well for her.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 20/09/2014 12:38

I have mixed feeling here, bit first of all I want to say you feel what you feel. No-one is allowed to validate or dictate your feelings so no Y.N.B.U.
I guess if you're sensitive then it is in poor taste
However if you're not and you can laugh about things then maybe it is a bit of fun, some people are able to laugh at themselves which I think is fantastic.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 20/09/2014 12:39

But not bit.

wheresthelight · 20/09/2014 12:42

I suffer with a condition that that when in an episode can look like I am hammered. most people are aware that I don't drink so if I appear drunk it is because I am ill and need an ambulance immediately. unfortunately after a night out with a new job and going home to a new house share I was left blacked out on the floor of the bathroom because my housemate was disgusted by the state I came home in and didn't believe me that I didn't drink. I very nearly died because she was utterly convinced that I was drunk.

anything that brings awareness to people and make them think twice before dismissing the person passed out on the pavement is a good thing surely?

I do understand why your daughter may find it in poor taste but I think she perhaps being a bit oversensitive if I am honest