Meryl Dorey: when is repeating a lie about a grieving family okay?

This post is written in anger. I admit it. Since becoming aware of the anti-vaccination movement only three short years ago, I’ve seen some of the worst of our species. Wilful ignorance; callousness; denialism; cruelty; lying.

It shouldn’t surprise any of us every time they try it on.

They did it again today.

The Sunday Telegraph published an article by Jane Hansen: Muddying the water on vaccination. It is a good piece about a seminar given by Dorey in Byron Bay. Jane was present, which made it even better. That’s not the main reason for this post.

The main reason for this post is Dorey’s reply, on the AVN Facebook page (and through her other fora). Dorey gets one thing right. The mention of “autopsy” is incorrect. Dorey did, however, contact Paul Corben, Director of Public Health at the then North Coast Area Health Service, “disputing” the laboratory confirmed fact that Dana McCaffery died of Pertussis. All of this is covered in Toni McCaffery’s response to one of Dorey’s more callous posts.

Why won’t Dorey stop lying about this family?

Yes. Just asking questions. This is a big defence amongst the anti-vaccination zealots.

Anyway, Dorey’s claim that “the McCafferys were then and are now blaming the unvaccinated for Dana’s death”, is a lie. She knows this is a lie. She keeps repeating lies about the McCaffery Family. I find it stunning that this anti-vaccination organisation has just had its Charitable Fundraising Authority reinstated. How is this organisation possibly, in any universe, conducting any charitable purpose, under the guise of a health educator? How did this ever come to pass?

Remember, it was only a few weeks ago that Dorey and her ilk were roundly condemned for the vilification of the McCaffery Family: and, yet, they do it again. Now, as then, the McCafferys have had to issue another demand for Dorey to leave them the hell alone. I have lost count of the number of times this has needed to be done. It is more than six separate, public occasions, now. On Facebook, David McCaffery has stated:

Once again Meryl Dorey, you lie.

Do not suggest that we blamed anyone for our daughter’s death. We have not, never! We were horrified that a deadly disease was prevalent in our community due to lack of awareness. Hence our involvement in media at the time and since, to try to help others prevent the death of their babies to whooping cough. And you lie about not knowing when you called Paul Corben about obtaining Dana’s medical records. At that time you contended that Mr Corben was misleading the public about her death, as ‘YOU’ don’t believe that whooping cough can kill. You are wrong, misleadingly so! You did it the day before our daughter’s funeral. Our daughter was front page news that day in the Northern Star and your husband turned up at my parent’s home later that day to ask if you could speak to them about Dana’s death. We remember, as do my parents. Mum and Dad are honest and beautiful people. Do not continue to lie about them as well.

Stop lying about us and our family. We have had enough of your absolute callousness and disregard for others that don’t promote your misleading ideology.

We do not lie. To suggest we do is defamatory.

This post is not an invitation for you or your members to comment here or anywhere else about us. We are just setting the record straight by telling the truth. The truth!!!!!

Leave us alone, again!

David McCaffery

Someone tell me why the McCafferys should ever need to do this, again and again? Tell me how it is okay that a family whose baby died needs to keep defending themselves against deliberately inaccurate claims about themselves. Tell me, again, how the AVN pursues a charitable purpose. Where is the evidence of this charitable conduct?

As to Dorey’s accusation that Jane Hansen has a history of “abusive” articles: here is the last time Meryl Dorey and her cult took a swipe at Jane Hansen’s accurate reporting.

The charitable AVN, and their cadre of footbulleting chiropractors

Dear Our Government,

Do something about this callous, cruel cult parading as a charity under the guise of health education.

Sincerely,

Sane People with Ethics.