Follow Up to Ritz Phoenix Book Signing for Callous Disregard: Shut Down Averted!

You can visit Dr. Wakefield's site Callous Disregard to learn more and to purchase a signed copy of his book.

By Cynthia Macluskie

A month ago a friend asked me if I wanted to plan a book signing event for Dr. Wakefield.  Of course, I jumped at the chance for such a great opportunity!  I busily started planning for the event, which was to be held on Saturday, June 26.  The Ritz has graciously donated a room for a summer event for the last 4 years and I was happy to learn that even though they were about to go through renovation, they would fit my event into their schedule.  I decided we should make a whole day of it and try to maximize our event by incorporating movie screenings, a book signing, the premier of my documentary, and a fantastic lecture by Dr. Wakefield to cap off the night.  It was going to be a fantastic day!

We started advertising the event, finalizing details, and getting more excited by the day.  On Thursday, we picked up Dr. Wakefield at the airport.  My recovered son, Mark, spent the whole time being his bodyguard and carrying his bag.  I kept telling Mark that Dr. Wakefield did not need a body guard, but he insisted that he did.  Little did we know that Mark was more in tune with reality then we were.

On Friday night, less than 12 hours before the event, I was contacted by Teri Arranga and told that our event was being targeted by Rebecca Fisher -- the same person who tried to shut down a similar event in the UK.  She and her associates were leading a campaign against the Ritz to try and shut down our event since Thursday.  At first, I panicked.  What were we going to do?  Shortly thereafter, I decided that I would will the event to happen and would not accept any other outcome but success. This tenacity had served me well with Mark and fighting autism, and I would rely on it now.  Mark offered his services as a bodyguard for the event.  I assured him we would be fine!  I counted on our close relationship with the Ritz and Stan Soloman.  I knew that our group had credibility in our community and my friends would not let me down.

We showed up on Saturday morning with butterflies in our stomachs and praying that all would go smoothly.  We could feel the tension in the air.  Fairly shortly, we were informed that the Ritz had received a "significant number" of e-mails, faxes, and phone calls about our event -- including threats.  The Ritz responded as I am told they always do:  they could not confirm or deny any particular event was taking place, and the Ritz’s sole responsibility is ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of their guests and they take that job seriously.  They heightened awareness of their staff and called in additional security.  The Ritz went beyond the call of duty.  They ensured the ballroom was set up exactly like Dr. Wakefield wanted, that his stay was relaxing and comfortable, and that everyone who attended the event had fun.

Our event went better than I could have hoped.  We had tremendous attendance, great attitudes, and a lot of fun.  We sold all of Dr. Wakefield’s books, Callous Disregard.  Best of all, we all had the opportunity to spend some time with our hero, Dr. Wakefield, whose truth will someday be known across the world.  A mean-spirited group of people targeted my event and Dr. Wakefield but failed miserably.  In fact, when we told the audience at the end what had happened insofar as the threats, etc., they were even more inspired, citing that Fisher and her crew's behavior seemed disproportionate for the size of the event . . . . If they wanted to squash this event that badly, then there must be validity to it.  Their behavior proves that Dr. Wakefield speaks the truth, and I am happy to say we won! 

Cynthia Macluskie has been an active member of the autism community for eight years. Her son, through biomedical and therapeutic means, lost his diagnosis of autism. Cynthia founded and runs the parent support group ROK (Recovering Our Kids) in conjunction with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Cynthia was one of the seven moms who lobbied successfully for Steven's Law, which requires insurance companies to cover autism in Arizona. Cynthia received the Autism Service Award for her work on Steven's Law. She is a board member of ACT! Today and the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Cynthia and her co-chair started Co-Morbid Medical Education Project to educate parents and physicians about co-occurring medical conditions of autism. In 2009, the Arizona American Academy of Pediatrics published and distributed a letter to every pediatrician in the state of Arizona on co-morbid conditions of autism written by Cynthia Macluskie. Cynthia and her co-chair just completed a documentary in partnership with ASU documentary film students titled Autism: Children Suffering In Silence. Cynthia is a parent mentor for Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. She has partnered with the other six moms to run legislation on restraint and seclusion. She is also working with Phoenix Children's Hospital and will soon be appointed to the Autism Family Counsel at PCH.

 

Comments

[Steve J]

I have just read Rebecca Fisher's website for the first time. This is clearly not written by a woman with a child. The syntax, the phrasing, the scatology is remarkably similar to the postings by Brian Deer on other websites. Fisher even uses the same phrases - eg blithering idiot.
Is Rebecca Fisher really Brian Deer? If so, that is important.

[Andrew]

I have been amused by the Sociopathic ravings of Rebecca Fisher for years.
She is not the smart successful charming type of Sociopath that often rise to top but more the foaming at the mouth deeply bitter and twisted type.
This very mentally unstable person is an embarrassment to pro vaccine scene as her antics only backfire and no ones listens to anyone who is as mad and bitter as she is.
What a waste of a life.

[Joan Campbell]

Yes we know all to well about "Kind regard Becky" here in the UK. Disgusting attitude and no compassion whatsoever. She has tried to friend me on facebook.

[Jenny Allan]

I think David was actually referring to Rebecca Fisher, NOT Cynthia. Dr Paul Offit is another of those pharma friendly pro vaccine persons.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/health/13auti.html?_r=1
I am a fierce defender of free speech, but Rebecca Fisher's tactics cross the line of acceptable and possibly lawful behaviour. Dr Offit is entitled to his opinion, even if it is bought and paid for, just as long as he is objective and polite about it!! That goes for anyone else who wishes to argue against vaccine damage.

We must never be tempted to lower ourselves to these levels by responding to the likes of Rebecca Fisher and Brian Deer using similar invective or inventions. That would be playing right into their hands!! Stay calm and reasonable. My advice would be to ignore these poisonous internet sites if at all possible.

[Andrew]

@David
That's a bit harsh. All she did was put on a signing by Andrew Wakefield. I think you need to be apologising to Cynthia.

[David]

This 'Woman' is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. This is a prime example of a Sociopath. For people like her and Offit this isn't just about the money. These people know EXACTLY what they are doing to your children and they Enjoy it. I would compare them to Hitler and Stalin but they are far more Dangerous, they prefer going after children who have done absolutely nothing. Sane People just can't come to grips that Evil like this actually exists in this world. But there it is, for everybody to see. We must learn to identify these people so they can be Closely Watched and NEVER allowed in a positions of Power Again. NEVER AGAIN.

[Jenny Allan]

John -Yes this 'Becky' woman has to be Rebecca Fisher, some of the blogs have identical titles to those on her Fisseux site!! Here is a slightly sanitised extract from her anti JABS blog spot. Since it is in the form of a universal request, I am sure that Rebecca will not mind it being 'publicised' here. This is the Fisseux review of Andrew Wakefield's book 'Callous Disregard':-

Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Callous Disregard
That's the "oh so humourous" title of Andrew Wakefield's book. A book about how he was victimised by the medical establishment, etc etc blah blah blah.
He's been reduced to giving it away at signings.
I'm not prepared to pay for a copy - but if you've got a copy and would like to sell it to me, I'll pay one penny, plus postage. (2p if it's signed, and 3p if it's dedicated)
4p if it's dedicated to John "Cock" Stone.
(Actually, if you can get a copy, dedicated and signed by Andrew Wakefield (or to give him his full medical title; "Andrew Wakefield") that reads "John Stone is a cock", I'll give you thirty quid.)
What a c**t, turning a comment about his "callous disregard" for the health of children made by the GMC into the title of a self-loving book...
What. A. C**t.
Posted by Becky at 19:38 0 comments

If anyone wants to take 'Becky' up on her offer then contact her at one of these sites. http://jabsloonies.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/fisseux

Otherwise, unless you happen to enjoy mindless profanity, my advice is to stay away!!

[john]

http://jabsloonies.blogspot.com/

is this Fisher?

[AutismFatherPA]

Is she related to Fred Phelps? Does she also attend funerals of Biomed supporters with provacative-messages-filled-signs?

[cmo]

Good points by "Tired of the bs"

Free speech is still alive, but not well in the USA,

Freedom of the Press left the USA some time ago, as they have long been bought out by big Pharma.

[Tired of the BS]

I attended the event on Saturday night and it was a pleasure to hear Dr. Wakefield speak in person. Cynthia and the others that put on the event did a wonderful job. I am always amazed at Dr. Wakefield's graciousness in all situations and in all circumstances. He is an amazing human being. I was also impressed that evening by the professionalism and courtesy that the Ritz Carlton provided it's guests.

It's good to know that free speech is still somewhat alive and well in this country. But I am always amazed that the people trying to stop events, like the one Saturday night, are exploiting the very freedoms that they are trying to deny to others. I would have a lot more respect if these people would attend the event, listen to the presentation, process the information and then assimilate it in a meaningful way. But instead they scream and throw tantrums like little children, holding their breath until they get what they want.

The people that threatened this event on Saturday night got put in the corner for a time out and thank goodness it is about time. I don't have any hopes that they will grow up any time soon, but like most three year olds, if they get enough time outs, maybe they will start to learn how to be better behaved in the future.

[Lisa Ludwig]

I am so glad I was able to attend this event! Cynthia did an amazing job, organizing and running the event and Dr.Wakefield was so wonderful to meet! Such a humble man for all he has done for our children!

[Autism Grandma]

Arizona was the perfect location for Dr. Wakefield's presentation event because this state has been way ahead of the game both in alternative medicine and autism biomedical research and education.

Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, is the largest research university in the U.S. The Arizona State University Autism/Asperger's Research Program is directed by Professor James Adams, and focuses primarily on biomedical issues, nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity and bacteria/yeast overgrowths in the gut.

The University of Arizona in Tucson has been very active in Alternative Medicine research and education for over 20 years that I know of. A friend married a pediatrician in 1989 and he was censored by the local children's hospital for simply recommending the Feingold diet for children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity disorders. He was having great success in removing many children from Ritalin with this diet, however this hospital demanded that he discontinue this so he relocated to a childrens hospital in Arizona which welcomed him with open arms. By now all medical universities should have instituted integrative alternative medicine programs, however sadly that is not the case at all. I don't know any other university besides ASU that has such a highly developed progressive biomedical research program for autism. Every major university should have this but these programs are continually blocked by the pharmaceutical industry who fund the medical schools in order to promote their own drugs and to prevent alternative medicine education and research from being conducted in the medical universities. I don't know how Arizona has successfully overcome this, but however they did it, BRAVO ARIZONA!!!!

http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/
"The Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine leads the transformation of healthcare by creating, educating and actively supporting a community that embodies the philosophy and practice of healing-oriented medicine, addressing mind, body and spirit. Our commitment is to live the values of Integrative Medicine, thus creating a unique model for transforming medicine."

http://autism.asu.edu/

Arizona State University Autism/Asperger's Research Program

Directed by Professor James B. Adams

Our research group is dedicated to finding the causes of autism, how to prevent autism, and how to best help people with autism.

Our focus is primarily on biomedical issues, including nutritional deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and bacterial/yeast overgrowths in the gut. However, we strongly recommend that a combination of biomedical, behavioral, therapy, and educational interventions be used to best help children and adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Also, Prof. Adams serves as the President of the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the Autism Society of America.

James B. Adams is a father of a young girl with autism, diagnosed in 1994, and that is what led him to eventually shift much of his research emphasis to autism, focusing on biological causes and treatments. He is currently a Full Professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at Arizona State University. He created and teaches a course on Heavy Metal Toxicity, focused on lead and mercury toxicity.

[Jenny Allan]

Sorry Alex-couldn't resist looking!! I just perused the Fisseux headings, more profanity than a Glasgow docker!! Does Twitter ever bother to monitor or moderate this stuff??

[Carol]

Assuming that the foaming-at-the-mouth hatred exhibited by the likes of Rebecca Fisher toward Dr. Wakefield is real and not just posturing adopted at the behest of a public relations or drug company, what is the reason for it? Wakefield suggesting that measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations be gotten separately until MMR's safety was established? Wakefield suggesting that a link between MMR and autism be investigated?

US vaccine court has conceded that MMR has been the cause of at least a few "autism-like" conditions. Of the adjudications for injury and death caused by MMR almost half have been in favor of the plaintiffs.

As far as I'm aware, none of the parents of Wakefield's patients have complained and I'm sure they have been offered many inducements to do so.

It's interesting to me that the foulest and most demeaning language is used about Dr. Wakefield, but I have never heard him be anything but a complete gentleman.

[Remember, the information has always been there]

Is this the same Rebecca Fisher?
(Commenting after two people died in Australia from a Novartis painkiller called Prexige, and it was ordered off the shelves):

Novartis spokeswoman Rebecca Fisher-Pollard urged people who used the drug not to panic. She said liver damage was known as a possible side effect but the incidence was rare.

"The information has always been there," Ms Fisher-Pollard said.

[Seanos]

I have heard that Becky Fisseaux has a history of delusional behaviour. She states that she was, and I quote, "escorted from the Isle of Wight after claiming to be 303 years old and turning the Bishop of Liverpool into a walrus"

Now I don't know what this is all about but she doesn't sound like someone I would trust in a million years!

[Alex D.]

Checked out this Fisher woman's Tweets, what a horrid, unhappy, self-hating, attention seeker! I'm afraid you've fed the troll by posting a link. Feeding them just makes them think they're bigger, y'know ;).

[Mary]

After hearing of all the persecution of
Dr. Wakefield, I had to go buy his book. What is it they don't want us to know?

The more pharma persecutes someone I know they are onto something. Keep it up FDA and pharma, you are leading us to the answers.

[Twyla]

Wow, three cheers for everyone involved -- including Dr. Wakefield, Cynthia Macluskie, and the Ritz!

[alethea]

it seems Fisher/fisseux twitters abrasively, http://twitter.com/fisseux

[Laura Cox]

Wat to go, Cynthia!! I plan on taking Andy's book with me to our annual visit with my inlaws next week. They think I am nuts, but the proof is in the pudding - so to speak - my son's continual improvement under the care of Thoughtful House. Should elicit some good discussion!

Where can we get a copy of the letter on co-morbid conditions you convinced your state AAP to send out?

Thanks for your hard work!

[Prep Hg]

Fisseux like an anal fisseux? Ouch. And appropriate.

[parent101]

Rebecca Fisher has a history of insulting the parents of disabled children under num du plom of "Becky Fisseux" , she posts on LBRB and Badscience forums.
she has a potty mouth and most of her contributions to newspaper web comments get moderated out.
She is obsesesed with Dr wakefield and John stone and the Vaccine injury support group JABS and if i were them I would want to know who and where she is for my own protection.
her website vannished a couple of years ago when the UK regulator Nominet discovered that it was registered to the fasle name "Karl Lagerfelt"

[Jenny Allan]

Well good for the Ritz for refusing to be intimidated and I'm so glad that this event went well. I agree that threats are totally unacceptable in this day and age, within a supposedly democratic society. Dr Wakefield is only trying to present his side of the story. He has sacrificed his career in order to help our children and prevent damage to future generations.

Anyone wanting to know more or who is undecided, please read his book 'Callous disregard'. At the moment it is unavailable in book shops in the UK but can be purchased online.

[Zed]

Isn't she the one who's part of the media/communications arm of Novartis? The same one who thinks Barbara Loe Fisher is a "horrible person" and says that if she were Paul Offit, she'd just "sit around and bask in her own awesomeness?"

[Not an MD]

Who is this horrid Rebecca Fisher, and who are her associates? What interest does she have in shutting an event, that is truly none of her business, down? If she is consistently targeting or harassing a specific person or that person's events, police should be called in to speak with her about her motives. There should be no threats made during any planned, happy event, whether the event involves Dr. Wakefield, or anyone else. Peaceful protests are one thing; trying to shut down an event and actually making threats, is a whole other matter.