Kymn
Member
Posts: 75
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Post by Kymn on Nov 27, 2003 14:18:10 GMT -5
Hi all happy thanksgiving to all the americans on the board.I was happily watching Oprah yesterday,she was doing an interview with Tom Cruise,worth watching right at least so I thought.She proceeds to ask Tom what do you know for sure at 42.He goes on to say a few things then he says that he knows that kids she not be given medicine for education they should be tought to learn for themselves and oprah pipes in yeah like Ritalin with a look of dissapointment on her face for those who give their children meds and Tom says yes.It was a little comment thrown out there that just pissed me off so much.HOw dare they say something like that fueling the fire that children dont need to be taking anything.Have they met our kids?Have they ever heard of a spect scan that actually shows decreased brain activity or increased depending on what type of ADHD they have.It was so unproffesional to allow such a comment without any opinions the other way.Like the 2 of them know it all and we should all agree with them.OHHHHHH I am so mad.I emailed Oprah.com and told them how irresponsible and cruel it was to make such a comment I know I will never hear from anyone there but I for one have lost respect and wont watch her show again.Not unless she does a fair program on ADHD.Anyhow just wanted to vent thanks guys
Kymn
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Post by on_edge on Nov 27, 2003 14:55:39 GMT -5
Let's see. Oprah has no kids and Tom's doesn't live at home. Where did they get their expertise?
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Post by Sorka on Nov 27, 2003 16:01:35 GMT -5
Tom has ADHD, his is a church of scientist person too.. so he is against meds
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Post by catatonic on Nov 27, 2003 21:31:10 GMT -5
Amen, Tom!!!
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Post by LitlBaa on Nov 28, 2003 1:06:01 GMT -5
Medication is such a personal issue, and I'm also disappointed that Oprah would give that a negative reaction without knowing all the facts. She and Tom Cruise could have done some major damage here, just by their reactions. How many people won't seek any kind of treatment for their kids now because Oprah thinks meds are bad ?
Personally, medication was my last resort with my daughter. I didn't know what else to try because nothing had worked. Maybe some parents do medicate first and only, but these aren't the ones we see here, trying to learn all they can and to do what's best for their kids.
Kymn, I'll join your Oprah boycott!
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Post by mom2tj on Nov 28, 2003 9:42:44 GMT -5
I've boycotted Oprah a long time ago... she has no idea what it is like to raise children and alway puts her input just the same..... ya maybe if I had there money for nannys and tutors and cooks and maids I would have more time to to the things she says... she is so unrealistic it makes me sooooo mad I dont watch her anymore. Great if Tom is christian so am I but who made him God! I prayed about medicating my DS and I looked and tried all other options I feel at peace with my decision ds is no longer failing in school and is happy so he can just (@#$) He is no better then anyone of us  I'm sure none of us took medicating lightly we do what we think is best for our kids.... |
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Post by jdmom on Nov 28, 2003 11:38:00 GMT -5
I do not begrudge anyone of their opinions. I respect their opinions, and expect them to treat mine the same. I was very disappointed with Oprah's offhand, ignorant comment. If she wants to comment on ADD/ADHD, she should do a show on it, research it, and present all sides. Then AFTER she has done her research, she may state a personal opinion. We have a hard enough time getting ADD/ADHD (and it's treatment options) accepted as an official disability with the American Public, without celebrities publically bashing it in ignorance on national television. I have read that Tom Cruise is ADD, and if it is his opinion that medication is detrimental, then he has a right to state it. But the offhand comment just thrown into thin air did nothing but harm for the public acceptance of ADD/ADHD as a disability, or ANY of it's treatment options. And I have also e-mailed Oprah telling her that I think so.
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Post by Dad2Brooke on Nov 28, 2003 11:56:54 GMT -5
I do not begrudge anyone of their opinions. I respect their opinions, and expect them to treat mine the same. I was very disappointed with Oprah's offhand, ignorant comment. If she wants to comment on ADD/ADHD, she should do a show on it, research it, and present all sides. Then AFTER she has done her research, she may state a personal opinion. We have a hard enough time getting ADD/ADHD (and it's treatment options) accepted as an official disability with the American Public, without celebrities publically bashing it in ignorance on national television. I have read that Tom Cruise is ADD, and if it is his opinion that medication is detrimental, then he has a right to state it. But the offhand comment just thrown into thin air did nothing but harm for the public acceptance of ADD/ADHD as a disability, or ANY of it's treatment options. And I have also e-mailed Oprah telling her that I think so. What is her email address? Maybe a few more emails might make a difference or a show? Who knows?  |
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Kymn
Member
Posts: 75
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Post by Kymn on Nov 28, 2003 12:43:35 GMT -5
Dadtobrooke you just go to oprah.com and then click on email the show or something like that.
Also someone made the comment that Tom was a chritian I wanted to clarify that is involved in christian science not a christian very different
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Post by weskie on Nov 28, 2003 15:47:08 GMT -5
Tom Cruise belongs to the Church of Scientology--not Christian Science. They're two different things. I don't know much about scientology. I'm glad I didn't see the Oprah show, because I really hate it when people who have no idea what it's like to live with ADHD have opinions about medicine!
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Post by mom2tj on Nov 28, 2003 17:28:06 GMT -5
I went to oprah.com to email her but you have to register or is there an other way?
sorry if I sounded like I dont respect there opinion...
they should just think of how they voice it....respect us for having a diferent one.
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Post by LitlBaa on Nov 29, 2003 2:07:29 GMT -5
I emailed Oprah yesterday, I clicked on Email Us, there was a form for my name and address, and I filled it out because I want them to take my statements seriously, and if it's anonymous, they won't.
Wouldn't it be cool if she had a show responding to our emails, flew us all to Chicago, and let us speak our pieces? A reunion for people who have never met in person!
I got my mom to boycott, too. I used to work in retail management, and the regional manager kept reminding us that one unhappy customer told at least ten people about their bad experience...if we each tell ten people and ask them to boycott Oprah, we could make a difference.
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Post by mom2tj on Nov 29, 2003 16:04:18 GMT -5
I did the same I filled out the name and adress and told them that they lost me as a viewer and I told them that I've told my friends and family how disapointed I am.... word of mouth is the best or worst advertising...
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Post by catatonic on Nov 29, 2003 16:34:26 GMT -5
If Tom Cruise had said "thank god for ritalin, it saved my life" would you still be boycotting oprah? After all, he'd still be throwing out an offhand comment about dealing with ADHD, and Oprah still would have let him. In a world dominated by prescription drugs for everything (people give their cats Prozac, for crying out loud!) those of us who choose to seek alternatives to medicating our children are used to being put down or looked at like we're flakes. Why all the heartburn over someone who, for once, agrees with more natural solutions? Someone successful and prominent, too. I think it's absolutely wonderful to let people know that there are OPTIONS to medication and that it is not the only solution.
I'm not rich like Oprah (or Tom) to hire help for everything. I know what it's like to live with ADHD. There are far too few hours in each day for me to deal with my 4 children and all their needs, not to mention the rest of life.
So when I say that I would never medicate my son unless he became a danger to himself or others, I speak from personal experience and deep conviction. I've worked my tail off to find alternatives that work, and it's time consuming and it never quits. When someone actually speaks up in support of all that hard work for a change, why is everyone so ready to jump all over the guy?
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Post by AnneM on Nov 29, 2003 17:08:49 GMT -5
Catatonic - with all due respect I think its ONE thing to stand up and support Natural Alternatives but its completely another to "look down" on those who have taken another direction (i.e. the decision of medication).
If Tom wants to support natural alternatives that is fine - he should let us know what works and I think he will find we are all ears.... but this should be done WITHOUT disdain on those of us who have followed the medication route.
Your opinion and knowledge on natural alternatives I think is fantastic and I have a huge amount of respect for that.... I am constantly interested and on the look out for an alternative for my son .... BUT (so far) I haven't found anything personally which works as well as his Concerta does to improve HIS life and HIS happiness....
Those of us who medicate are NOT casting aspersions on those who use natural alternatives and likewise this should never ever be done the other way around. This should NEVER be a "battleground" between those who use meds and those who don't... we are ALL working towards the same common goal and in my opinion should respect each other's decisions and differences of opinion and continue to help and guide each other regardless of the path we have taken.
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