MAMA DVD Borrow for free, a must for all parents (A bit long, sorry)

[Bunglie]

As most of you so kindly lit a candle on Christmas Eve, remembering all the children and parents seperated at Christmas for whatever the reason, most of you will have realised that I was falsely accused by Prof. Roy Meadow of having Munchausens Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP. This Professor is coming before the GMC later this month and many thousands of children have been removed from loving homes and adopted. Sadly some of them were removed within minutes of being born.
I could go on, and on. In my own case this man diagnosed me without seeing me, or seeing or speaking to any doctor who had ever treated me or read any of my medical notes. Yet he said I had MSbP and was a danger to my 2 children who were adopted. It has since been prooved that a disease he said was too rare for me to have, I do in fact have and has placed me in a wheelchair.
Since the sucessful appeal of Angela Cannings, Trupti Patel and Sally Clarke many of the Criminal cases that he gave expert evidence at have had their judgments overturned. But these were Criminal cases, I was cleared and found innocent by a criminal court but a Civil Court of the Family Division is held in secret. Parents are imposed with gagging orders so that they can not speak out and my 2 children who were adopted I am not permitted to talk about or tell anyone anything about the case. Just writing this means I have broken the law.

The situation is far worse for many parents and through the support of Mumsnet many of us have been able to support one another but more importantly the support from 'normal' parents not falsely accused has meant so much to us all.

I have managed to get some DVD's of a film by the Oscar Nominated Amy Sommer and Nonny De La Pena, called MAMA after the website of the same name (Mothers Against Munchausens Allegations).

Having checked the copywrite etc they are very happy for me to send a copy out to anyone who want's to see it and the only condition is that you make no charge for people to see the film.

If you would like to borrow a copy of the film I have 3-4 copies. I will send them out on a first come basis. All you have to do is CAT Janh your address. You will be sent the film in a Jiffy bag, so if you could open it carefully you can then use the same Jiffy bag to return the film to Janh when you have watched it. Inside will also be a sticky address label with Janh's address on for you to stick over the address to you. All I ask from you is to pay for the return postage (64p I think?).

I know I have a personal interest in this subject but I feel that it is the duty of every parent to realise what has been happening secretly in this country for more than 15 years. This film is very fair, it gives both sides and also has the last known interview with Meadow's on which has to be seen to be believed.

I know I have asked a lot of you already but if you would like to see this film then please CAT Janh.

I am happy to write the film synopsis if you would like to read it...

I am sorry that this has been so long.
Love to all and a happy 2005.
Bunglie

Bunglie, I have received it, hope to 2 watch it tonight

I have watched the DVD now - not without interruptions! - quick review from me:

It is absolutely gripping - features 2 American families and one British. (I found it ironic that the British family, with very broad Scots accent, were subtitled but the ones from Alabama, who were almost incomprehensible to me a lot of the time, weren't.)

There are several medical experts speaking for both sides, including Roy Meadow who comes across as one of those above-God consultants, and refuses to answer when challenged about some of his own actions (puts his hand over the microphone in fact); it is a relief to hear equally eminent medical professionals dismissing his opinions.

There is some footage of one of the pro-MSBP doctors in American being challenged, very politely, about his decisions regarding one of the children concerned - it appears to be at legal proceedings of some kind but if that was stated I missed it. He could not justify in any way what he had done and it was clear that he had not even properly read all the baby's records.

The Scottish family had the misfortune to be involved with David Southall when he was still experimenting with trying to replicate symptoms in order to prove his own case. The eventual consequences for them were draconian and unbelievable.

I'm sorry, this is very uninspired and I really need to watch it again, but I do recommend it to anybody who is interested in this outrageous situation (which is all of us really - it could have happened to any of us, at the wrong time in the wrong place).

Bunglie, it's just occurred to me that the recipient of the 4th DVD may not have any power at the moment - she's in a remote part of Scotland - so she won't be able to let us know yet.

Not sure where I am on the list but haven't received it yet.

galaxy, you are first on the waiting list - there are 4 copies out atm (including the one I have) so you will be the next to get one. (If I get a chance to watch it again in the next 24 hours I'll send mine out to you on Friday)

Thanks Jan. I remember you said that in your email now sorry

I am just watching it again Janh. If Galaxy is ok with it do you want me to post mine onto her ?

Initial thoughts: Sheer horror that this can happen for quite bizarre reasons. I do think the worst case (but only by a v small margin) is Julie Patricks case.

Highlight: the doctor in the Patricks case not being able to identify any improvements with Philip Patrick's condition after they had removed his mum; and also the young girl who was questioning Griffiths - very bright and confident young lady.

I will say that it would now frighten me to take my children to the doctors in view of how these cases snowball from nowhere. My son suffers with constipation for which occasionally he needs picolax - hands up who thinks I wont take him to the doctors again?

The 12 points characteristics of a MSbP sufferer - surely bollocks? If my children were in hospital (bearing in mind a strange environment) I wouldnt want to leave them, especially not now and yes as a parent I would want to get to know the hospital carers.

Those were my highlights too, jampots! That girl was amazing.

The discovery of the insulin levels in the warmed-up bloods was impressive too - "are you sitting down?"!!! Pity it didn't make any difference in the long run.

The Patrick family was the only thing that made me actually cry - too busy seething for most of the rest.

Oh, sorry, yes it's fine with me to send your copy straight to Galaxy if she's OK with it - cutting out the middleman always a good move! (Pls make sure she has my address to send it back too though.)

it was the last few chapters I missed out on before which I have now watched - probably the most unbelievable of it all. I agree with Bunglie - all parents need to watch this film.

Hi Jampots and Janh. Jampots....I'll cat you my address to send it to.

Thanks a lot.

Galaxy

Given all these reviews, I'm too frightened to watch it - sorry. Maybe when the BF hormones have calmed down a bit.

Highlander and Jampots:- Please do not let this film stop you from getting the medical treatment for your ds, Jampots and Highlander I think that if and when you are ready you should watch it, as 'For armed is for warned'. It is very unlikely to happen to you especially if you are aware of this so called syndrome and it is the gullable young mothers who they can not find a reason for the childs illness that they seem to 'pick' on. It is almost as if, if the doctor does not know the cause then it must be the mother causing it!! But remember people are becoming more aware, and the more people who are aware the safer everyone will be and the sooner we will se the end to the adoption of children, who need not be adopted.

I really would urge everyone to see this DVD. I have another in circulation so that is 5, but I am happy to get some more if the waiting list is too long. I would rather that any person who wants to see this DVD does, as soon as possible.

I had never heard of MSbP when I was accused by Meadows, had I have done then maybe, just maybe I would not have had my children removed and adopted. I believe that education is one way that you can help prevent this from happening, and it is still happening, so please try and watch it, thank you to those of you who have and please tell everyone about it. The more who realise what is going on the sooner it will stop in my opinion.

Yes Bunglie you are right but that was just my initial thought. I freaked at the 12 points thing. Its like reading through a medical book - you can convince yourself you have every horrid disease on the planet. The points they flag up as being "indicators" are just basic parental feelings surely? I certainly felt in the Misty case that they had taken advantage of her - the insulin test was just amazing. Penny Mellor really seems to be a good source of info and support

Bunglie, I have sent Jan an email for the address of the next person to send it to, to keep down the postage costs.

Thanks Kalex. Just as long as it has Janh's address inside to return it to her ultimately.
What did you think of it?

Bunglie. Can I be completely honest.

OK here goes, I felt dreaadfully, painfully sorry for the people involved, I was shocked at the medical "expertise" . Roy Meadows came accross as a total twat.

My concern, was the fact that they tried to dismiss MSPB as not exsisting.!!! And they then then should evidence that it does.

It was a truly horrifying reminder that any goevernment can snatch your child on totally spurious cliams, which SHOCKS ME,

I DO BELIEVE YOU< CHEESE and SPUD. of course I do, I feel that I know you!!!

Galaxy - I have sent the dvd by 1st class recorded delivery to you today - hopefully you should have it tomorrow.

Jan - I am sending you some stamps to cover the postage to me and also some extra postage to help with costs.

Message withdrawn

Oh no jampots, please don't, or not to me anyway - bunglie sent it out to you, and she has sent me lots more stamps for sending it out with again and again, because she wants as many people as poss to see it. As she says, your only contribution is the return (or onward) postage. Thank you!

yurtgirl, I will look out for your email!

Janh - i only have your address. If I send it to you then maybe you could forward it on to Bunglie

Thanks Jampots, but Janh is my DVD librarian and I sent her some stamps and Jiffy bags etc.

I am ordering some more DVD's tomorrow and I thought that I would extend the offer to any of you who would rather have a copy of it to keep (don't worry Beety you are sorted). It works out at about £10 per DVD. Just email your address to Janh. (no need to put your Mumsnet username, see below)
You are of course welcome to borrow one of the ones in circulation, I am going to add a couple to that if necessary so you do not have to wait too long.
I really think that every parent needs to see this film

I am also aware after the latest 'fiasco' that some of you are not happy to send your name and address to anybody, not just Janh for security reasons. Can I stress that;

1. Janh is very trustworthy as she has kept the secret of my identity!
2. But you do not need to put your Mumsnet username on it then she has no way of knowing 'who' you are in RL. If you feel happier then just send an address, as the postman will still deliver it to you with no name!

Thank you to all of those who are finding the time to watch it.

I got up at 7 this morning to watch this and it was incredible. Penny Mellor is an inspiration (8 kids)???

Those poor families. I've just spent the last 45 minutes reading the MSBP forum and that is also a must for anyone who is interested.

Do you want me to send it on directly to the next person on the waiting list if they are happy with that. (I'm not a hairy-handed lorry driver and lots of mumsnetters have met me)

oh bugger - i am a hairy handed lorry driver and I know where loads of you live now - sorry didnt think to mention it

ah, but I also have your address now too jampots!