8 replies to this topic

[SCIinLondon]

A certain association in Scotland have taken it upon themselves to bypass me and call the newspaper direct to try and poach a lead for a story so please ignore this request, I'm disgusted at how sneaky some people can be.

Edited by SCIinLondon, 21 December 2007 - 09:10 PM.

[FRANK6898]

Hi Jen, I retract my offer of help, sorry. FRANK

Edited by FRANK6898, 22 December 2007 - 09:18 AM.

[SCIinLondon]

As above

Edited by SCIinLondon, 21 December 2007 - 09:12 PM.

[Buckled Rogers]

As above

Edited by Buckled Rogers, 26 December 2007 - 07:50 PM.

[SCIinLondon]

Buckled Rogers, on Dec 22 2007, 03:41 PM, said:

SCIinLondon, on Dec 21 2007, 07:38 PM, said:

As above

Hi SCIinLondon
I looked at your post the other day and thought about replying but you have now retracted the initial post saying that someone from an Organisation has tried poach a story line from you.
Surely if this is a Scottish Newspaper and they are a credible organisation there should not be any sour grapes as I am sure we are all out to help people living with an SCI and it is not about point scoring.
If they are credible then what is the problem?
It sounds as though you are bitter about this, but I don't see why a newspaper based in Scotland would deal with you in London. I don't mean to be disrespectful in any manner but surely it is up to them, but I must say, as long as they are credible and they are working to better things for people with and SCI.
I welcome your thoughts on this.
Cheers
Buckled Rogers

Hi Buckled,

I'm not disputing if they are a legit organisation but the fact remains, we are working towards different agendas. The organisation is geared toward more quality of life and support issues. We, on the otherhand, are working to provide chronic cure research money - to me there is no better quality of life enhancement than what will come with robust regeneration. I am not casting aspersions on what they do, as it is also important, but a different agenda it is all the same.

As for your geographical comment, I am Scottish and lived there as a child. Not that I really see how that is relevant - we support research Worldwide which would be of benefit to Scotland also. The fact is, the journalist was touched by my story and my efforts with regard to the charity so the org are wasting their time in that regard. I don't appreciate the sneaky way in which this individual totally bypassed me, it would have been polite to enquire via email. Would you go about it in that manner? I certainly wouldn't.

If you ran a charity you would appreciate how precious exposure is for building reputation and profile, and you must seize every opportunity that presents itself. This paper contacted me because they wanted to help our mission. I'm sorry but it's a case of ''Get your own leads.''

[Buckled Rogers]

Retracted

Edited by Buckled Rogers, 26 December 2007 - 07:51 PM.

[SCIinLondon]

Buckled Rogers, on Dec 23 2007, 03:16 PM, said:

Hi again SCIinLondon

It does seem very clear that there are two different agendas that I am seeing. You seem to have your own which seems to me financially based to get exposure with research. I am with you 100% with regards to research but surely we have to look at the hear and now aspect and help people living with an SCI and maybe this association/ charity is doing that.
You mentioned that it was really sneaky for this person to have done this in the way it has been done. How do you know it was one person? Maybe the organisation/ association seen the post and decided to act on it themselves. You seem fairly sure it was an individual. I would be keen to hear what led you to this assuption.
With regards to poaching ideas, did you not think about asking the association/ organisation to see of they were any way involved in research. Maybe they are and they would have been able to help you with regards to leads to people in Scotland with an SCI.
You have said it was really sneaky of this person to have contacted this newspaper in the way that they have done but I see it that you are interested in research but there seems to be a financial incentive rather than exposure to SCI.
As I said, I do agree with research, but for me living with an SCI I am looking for support organisation or association to help me in my everyday life.
I welcome your thoughts on this matter.
Buckled Rogers

I was asked if I knew this person by the journalist because there was a message left at the paper to call them back, so yes, it was an individual.

It is my opinion that there are plenty of groups out there attending to QOL issues and a distinct lack of cure related charities. As is commonly known, the field of research is grossly underfunded by Government but holds extreme promise. It is a disservice to the great minds working to solve the issue not to support them in any which way. With a cure, a lot of QOL headaches will become moot points, and believe me, we are no longer talking about a distant dream. I don't see why orgs cannot work in harmony. It is vital that each one respects the next, however.

As a research charity of course we are financially motivated. We wouldn't be true to our mission if otherwise. Having said this, a large sum of time is allocated to raising awareness - the 2 come hand in hand.

As with everything, posting such a request has been a learning curve and not something I will ever do again.

[Buckled Rogers]

Retracted

Edited by Buckled Rogers, 26 December 2007 - 07:51 PM.

[SCIinLondon]

Buckled Rogers, on Dec 23 2007, 05:54 PM, said:

Hi SCIinLondon

Is it an association, organisation or charity you are posting for? The reason I ask is that could you let the forum know who it is that is actually doing the research?
As mentioned previously, I am all for research and I thought I was aware of most of the organisations that were working in this field. Obviously I can't possibly now them all but I would be keen to know which one you are working for.
It comes over to me that you have a very set agenda and that someone in another organisation has ruined this for you. Surely if your leads were that strong and good the journalist would have kept you in the loop and disregarded what the organisation in Scotland had to say.
Is your field of research in stem cells or is it something else? I don't want to be pedantic but I do agree that everyone involved in SCI should be working together but you have made it clear that you are out for finances only and I guess in the long term this will help people with an SCI.
I am just curious as to why you have posted under SCIinLondon and not under the name of the organisation or charity.

Cheers
Buckled

It is a great shame that you have not read my responses in full. I have not once said that the charity is solely 'out for finances' as you state above. For a self proclaimed 'follower of the field', I would have thought that, regardless of where your support falls, you would recognise the dire need for increased funding to solve the issue rather than just the maintenance of it [which by the way is vastly funded in comparison] Perhaps you would rather millions more were left to languish with an injury that will be rendered treatable, given the correct conditions. We don't believe that to be an ideal situation by any stretch. We also don't conduct research. If you re-read my posts you will see that I state we provide funding for cure research. It 'comes over to you that we have a very set agenda?' Great news - I'm glad that it does. That should be the case for every charity.

This org hasn't 'ruined' a thing, only that the way in which they deal with charities has resulted in them going down in our estimations. Their call has been disregarded and the story is going ahead regardless. It's just the audacity of said individual that I found surprising.

Apologies in advance for not entertaining this conversation further, I'm not really one for forums as I just don't have the time, especially not to be arguing semantics such as screen name choices and the like. If you keep your ear to the ground like you say you do, you will no doubt hear about us given time. I have civilly responded to your points, but it seems to have been rather a waste of time as what I am writing is not being read thoroughly anyway.

Merry Christmas to all and good health and prosperity in the coming year