Desiree Jennings and the great “flu shot = dystonia” hoax

Let’s call this by what it is: a hoax, and a highly transparent one at that. In case you haven’t heard, Desiree Jennings is a woman and (former?) cheerleader who claimed to have developed dystonia (a rare neurological movement disorder that leads to horrible muscle spasms rendering the victim unable to walk or talk properly) as a result of having received her flu vaccinations. Of course, the scientific community was quick to stamp its big fat “Bullshit!” sign on this story, and several neurologists have made it quite clear that the symptoms exhibited by Jennings simply do not match actual Dystonia.

As if it weren’t already apparent enough that Jennings was either outright faking Dystonia or suffering from some other malady, Inside Edition has aired this rather revealing and, shall we say, damning interview with Jennings, in addition to previously secret footage that reveals how the woman’s symptoms seemed to mysteriously disappear when not within conscious sight of a camera. How distinctly odd. As if that weren’t enough already, she even seems to have developed an Australian/British accent (your guess which) … which she blames on her supposed illness. Despite Dystonia having absolutely nothing to do with one’s accent. (Those who’ve followed the story will be especially pleased at the appearance of Dr. Steve Novella of The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe fame, who’s also been rather critical of Jennings’ claims.)

This is such an obviously open-and-shut case that it’s a wonder how even the more fringe groups of reality denialists can still believe it to be genuine. Jennings’ magically disappearing (and reappearing) symptoms, which don’t even look like actual Dystonia manifestations, in addition to her outright crap about the disease somehow changing her accent, all points to this being one big hoax and nothing more. And if, somehow, Jennings actually were ill, then it could certainly only be psychosomatic (ie. physical manifestations of psychological issues).

(via Bad Astronomy)