Whitney Dafoe: Difference between revisions

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'''Whitney Dafoe''' is the son of Dr. [[Ronald Davis]] and Dr. [[Janet Dafoe]] and is severely affected by [[ME/CFS|myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome]] (ME/CFS).  
'''Whitney Dafoe''' is the son of Dr. [[Ronald Davis]] and Dr. [[Janet Dafoe]] and is severely affected by [[ME/CFS|myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome]] (ME/CFS).  


Prior to becoming [[Severe and very severe ME#verysevere|very severely ill]] with ME/CFS, Dafoe was an adventurer and photographer who traveled extensively. His journeys took him to all 50 states, India, Nepal, and Ecuador.<ref name="stanmed">{{Cite web|url=http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2016spring/the-puzzle-solver.html|title=The puzzle solver | last = Archibald | first=Timothy|authorlink= | date = 2016 | website = Stanford Medicine|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>
Prior to becoming [[Severe and very severe ME#verysevere|very severely ill]] with ME/CFS, Dafoe was an adventurer and photographer who traveled extensively. His journeys took him to all 50 states, India, Nepal, and Ecuador.<ref name="stanmed">{{Cite web|url=http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2016spring/the-puzzle-solver.html | title = The puzzle solver | last = Archibald | first=Timothy | authorlink= | date = 2016 | website = Stanford Medicine|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>


==Unrest==
==Unrest==
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==After the release of ''Unrest''==
==After the release of ''Unrest''==
After the release of the movie [[Unrest]], public interest in Whitney Dafoe increased, with Google suggesting people search frequently searching for his obituary or death - despite the fact he remains alive despite being so severely ill<ref name="twitter" /> - as well as seeking information about [[Ativan]], also known as Lorazepam, a drug that was shown to briefly help him in ''Unrest''.<ref name="Brea2019" /> In summer 2019, Whitney finally met ME advocate and film maker [[Jen Brea|Jennifer Brea]].<ref name="Brea2019">{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@jenbrea/meeting-whitney-cf179fdad0a9|title=Meeting Whitney|last=Brea | first = Jennifer|authorlink=Jennifer Brea|date=2019-06-03 | website = Medium|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>  
After the release of the movie [[Unrest]], public interest in Whitney Dafoe increased, with Google suggesting people search frequently searching for his obituary or death - despite the fact he remains alive despite being so severely ill<ref name="twitter" /> - as well as seeking information about [[Ativan]], also known as Lorazepam, a drug that was shown to briefly help him in ''Unrest''.<ref name="Brea2019" /> In summer 2019, Whitney finally met ME advocate and film maker [[Jen Brea|Jennifer Brea]].<ref name="Brea2019">{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@jenbrea/meeting-whitney-cf179fdad0a9 | title = Meeting Whitney | last =Brea | first = Jennifer | authorlink=Jennifer Brea | date = 2019-06-03 | website = Medium|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>  


In December 2019, at Whitney's request, his sister Ashley Haugen, created a twitter account for him, followed by a Facebook page in January 2020.<ref name="twitter">{{Cite web|url=http://www.twitter.com/dafoewhitney|title=Whitney Dafoe (@DafoeWhitney)|website=Twitter|language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/whitneydafoe/|title=Whitney Dafoe|website=Facebook|language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>
In December 2019, at Whitney's request, his sister Ashley Haugen, created a twitter account for him, followed by a Facebook page in January 2020.<ref name="twitter">{{Cite web|url=http://www.twitter.com/dafoewhitney | title = Whitney Dafoe (@DafoeWhitney)|website=Twitter|language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/whitneydafoe/ | title = Whitney Dafoe|website=Facebook|language=en|access-date=2020-01-20}}</ref>


==Improvement in health ==
==Improvement in health ==
In June 2020, Whitney posted on Facebook to say that he was experiencing what seemed to be a temporary improvement, and was able to write and communicate using his cell phone briefly.<ref name="Jun2020update">{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/whitneydafoe/posts/169789574558743|title=Whitney Dafoe|last=Dafoe | first = Whitney|authorlink=Whitney Dafoe | date = Jun 11, 2020 | website = Facebook|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2020-06-23}}</ref> He stated that he didn't know the reason for the improvement, but it may have been linked to an increased dose of Cortef ([[hydrocortisone]]) or [[Aripiprazole|Abilify]] (aripiprazole).<ref name="Jun2020update" /> Dafoe continues to rely fully on a [[tube feeding|feeding tube]] for nutrition and hydration, and can't tolerate the noise of others speaking without being sedated.<ref name="stanmed"/><ref name="Dafoe2021"/>
In June 2020, Whitney posted on Facebook to say that he was experiencing what seemed to be a temporary improvement, and was able to write and communicate using his cell phone briefly.<ref name="Jun2020update">{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/whitneydafoe/posts/169789574558743 | title = Whitney Dafoe | last =Dafoe | first = Whitney | authorlink=Whitney Dafoe | date = Jun 11, 2020 | website = Facebook|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2020-06-23}}</ref> He stated that he didn't know the reason for the improvement, but it may have been linked to an increased dose of Cortef ([[hydrocortisone]]) or [[Aripiprazole|Abilify]] (aripiprazole).<ref name="Jun2020update" /> Dafoe continues to rely fully on a [[tube feeding|feeding tube]] for nutrition and hydration, and can't tolerate the noise of others speaking without being sedated.<ref name="stanmed"/><ref name="Dafoe2021"/>


==The Puzzle Solver==
==The Puzzle Solver==
In 2021, writer [[Tracie White]] and [[Ronald Davis|Dr Ronald W. Davis]], Whitney's father, published the book [[The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole his Son]], describing Whitney's battle with [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] and his father's research to find a cure.<ref name="puzzlesolverbook">{{Cite book | title=The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole His Son|pages=|isbn=9781549177545|edition=1st|volume=|language=en-US|title-link=The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole his Son|url=|access-date=|date=January 31, 2021|publisher=Hachette Books|last=White | first = Tracie|author-link=Tracie White | last2 = Davis |  first2 = Ronald W.|author-link2=Ronald Davis|veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=New York}}</ref>
In 2021, writer [[Tracie White]] and [[Ronald Davis|Dr Ronald W. Davis]], Whitney's father, published the book [[The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole his Son]], describing Whitney's battle with [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] and his father's research to find a cure.<ref name="puzzlesolverbook">{{Cite book | title=The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole His Son|pages=|isbn=9781549177545|edition=1st|volume=|language=en-US|title-link=The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole his Son | url = |access-date=| date = January 31, 2021|publisher=Hachette Books | last =White | first = Tracie | author-link = Tracie White | last2 = Davis |  first2 = Ronald W. | author-link2 = Ronald Davis|veditors=|others=|doi=|oclc=|quote=|archive-url=|archive-date=|location=New York}}</ref>


==The Living Death==
==The Living Death==
In 2022, Whitney Dafoe was the Gold Winner at the European Photography Awards for his documentary entry ''The Living Death'', a series of photographs of his experience living with severe ME.<ref name="EPA2022">{{Cite web|title=Documentary - The Living Death|url=https://europeanphotoawards.com/winner-info.php?id=763|access-date=Aug 24, 2022 | website = European Photography Awards}}</ref>
In 2022, Whitney Dafoe was the Gold Winner at the European Photography Awards for his documentary entry ''The Living Death'', a series of photographs of his experience living with severe ME.<ref name="EPA2022">{{Cite web | title = Documentary - The Living Death|url=https://europeanphotoawards.com/winner-info.php?id=763|access-date=Aug 24, 2022 | website = European Photography Awards}}</ref>


== Articles and interviews ==
== Articles and interviews ==
* 2021, Extremely Severe ME/CFS—A Personal Account,<ref name="Dafoe2021">{{Cite journal|last=Dafoe | first = Whitney|authorlink=Whitney Dafoe | date = 2021-04-27|title=Extremely Severe ME/CFS—A Personal Account|url=https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/504/htm|journal=Healthcare|language=en|volume=9|issue=5|pages=504|doi=10.3390/healthcare9050504|issn=2227-9032}}</ref> - [https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/504/htm (Full text)]
* 2021, Extremely Severe ME/CFS—A Personal Account,<ref name="Dafoe2021">{{Cite journal | last =Dafoe | first = Whitney | authorlink=Whitney Dafoe | date = 2021-04-27 | title = Extremely Severe ME/CFS—A Personal Account|url=https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/504/htm|journal=Healthcare|language=en|volume=9|issue=5|pages=504|doi=10.3390/healthcare9050504|issn=2227-9032}}</ref> - [https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/5/504/htm (Full text)]


==Online presence==
==Online presence==
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*[[Severe and very severe ME]]
*[[Severe and very severe ME]]
==Learn more==
==Learn more==
*Jul 10, 2015, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_HwOUiImvw Invisible Illness - Stories of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_HwOUiImvw|title=Invisible Illness - Stories of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|last=Dafoe | first = Whitney|date=Jul 10, 2015 | website = YouTube|publisher=Palo Alto Online|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Jul 10, 2015, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_HwOUiImvw Invisible Illness - Stories of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_HwOUiImvw | title = Invisible Illness - Stories of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | last =Dafoe | first = Whitney | date = Jul 10, 2015 | website = YouTube|publisher=Palo Alto Online|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref>
*Oct 5, 2015, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-his-son-terribly-ill-a-top-scientist-takes-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/2015/10/05/c5d6189c-4041-11e5-8d45-d815146f81fa_story.html With his son terribly ill, a top scientist takes on chronic fatigue syndrome]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-his-son-terribly-ill-a-top-scientist-takes-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/2015/10/05/c5d6189c-4041-11e5-8d45-d815146f81fa_story.html|title=With his son terribly ill, a top scientist takes on chronic fatigue syndrome|last=Tucker |  first = Miriam|date=Oct 5, 2015 | website = Washington Post|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2018-10-13}}</ref>  
*Oct 5, 2015, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-his-son-terribly-ill-a-top-scientist-takes-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/2015/10/05/c5d6189c-4041-11e5-8d45-d815146f81fa_story.html With his son terribly ill, a top scientist takes on chronic fatigue syndrome]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/with-his-son-terribly-ill-a-top-scientist-takes-on-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/2015/10/05/c5d6189c-4041-11e5-8d45-d815146f81fa_story.html | title = With his son terribly ill, a top scientist takes on chronic fatigue syndrome | last =Tucker |  first = Miriam| date = Oct 5, 2015 | website = Washington Post|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2018-10-13}}</ref>  
*Oct 19, 2015, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035n9g6 Scientist dad searches for cure for sick son]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035n9g6|title=Scientist dad searches for cure for sick son, Newshour - BBC World Service|last= | first = |date=Oct 19, 2015 | website = BBC|language=en-GB|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2018-10-13}}</ref>
*Oct 19, 2015, [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035n9g6 Scientist dad searches for cure for sick son]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035n9g6 | title = Scientist dad searches for cure for sick son, Newshour - BBC World Service | last = | first = | date = Oct 19, 2015 | website = BBC|language=en-GB|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=2018-10-13}}</ref>
*Nov 4, 2015, [http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/04/454335755/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-research-gains-funding-and-controversy Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Gains Funding, And Controversy]<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/04/454335755/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-research-gains-funding-and-controversy|title=Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Gains Funding, And Controversy|last=Tucker |  first = Miriam|date=Nov 4, 2015|work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-10-13|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|publisher=NPR|language=en}}</ref>
*Nov 4, 2015, [http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/04/454335755/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-research-gains-funding-and-controversy Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Gains Funding, And Controversy]<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/11/04/454335755/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-research-gains-funding-and-controversy | title = Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Gains Funding, And Controversy | last =Tucker |  first = Miriam| date = Nov 4, 2015 |work=NPR.org|access-date=2018-10-13|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|publisher=NPR|language=en}}</ref>
*2016, [http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2016spring/the-puzzle-solver.html The puzzle solver: A researcher changes course to help his son]
*2016, [http://stanmed.stanford.edu/2016spring/the-puzzle-solver.html The puzzle solver: A researcher changes course to help his son]
*Mar 24, 2016, [http://stepville.com/2016/03/24/therein-lies-your-calling/ Therein Lies your Calling]<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://stepville.com/2016/03/24/therein-lies-your-calling/|title=Therein Lies your Calling | first = Stephanie|last=Land|date=2016-03-24|work=Stepville|access-date=2018-10-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Mar 24, 2016, [http://stepville.com/2016/03/24/therein-lies-your-calling/ Therein Lies your Calling]<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://stepville.com/2016/03/24/therein-lies-your-calling/ | title = Therein Lies your Calling | first = Stephanie | last =Land| date = 2016-03-24|work=Stepville|access-date=2018-10-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
*May 2, 2016, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfZwqLjDR4w Whitney Dafoe Palo Alto Online 2015 video - short]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfZwqLjDR4w|title=Whitney Dafoe Palo Alto Online 2015 video - short|last=Dafoe | first = Whitney|date=May 2, 2016 | website = YouTube|publisher=Mary Dimmock|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref>  
*May 2, 2016, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfZwqLjDR4w Whitney Dafoe Palo Alto Online 2015 video - short]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfZwqLjDR4w | title = Whitney Dafoe Palo Alto Online 2015 video - short | last =Dafoe | first = Whitney | date = May 2, 2016 | website = YouTube|publisher=Mary Dimmock|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref>  
*Oct 24, 2016, [https://blog.longreads.com/2016/10/24/the-love-of-a-thousand-muskoxen-grieving-a-love-lost-to-time-and-sickness/ The Love of a Thousand Muskoxen: Grieving a Love Lost to Time and Sickness]<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://blog.longreads.com/2016/10/24/the-love-of-a-thousand-muskoxen-grieving-a-love-lost-to-time-and-sickness/|title=The Love of a Thousand Muskoxen: Grieving a Love Lost to Time and Sickness|last=Land |  first = Stephanie | date = 2016-10-24|work=Longreads|access-date=2018-10-13|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Oct 24, 2016, [https://blog.longreads.com/2016/10/24/the-love-of-a-thousand-muskoxen-grieving-a-love-lost-to-time-and-sickness/ The Love of a Thousand Muskoxen: Grieving a Love Lost to Time and Sickness]<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://blog.longreads.com/2016/10/24/the-love-of-a-thousand-muskoxen-grieving-a-love-lost-to-time-and-sickness/ | title = The Love of a Thousand Muskoxen: Grieving a Love Lost to Time and Sickness | last =Land |  first = Stephanie | date = 2016-10-24|work=Longreads|access-date=2018-10-13|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|language=en-US}}</ref>
* Jun 3, 2019, [https://medium.com/@jenbrea/meeting-whitney-cf179fdad0a9 Meeting Whitney] - Jen Brea
* Jun 3, 2019, [https://medium.com/@jenbrea/meeting-whitney-cf179fdad0a9 Meeting Whitney] - Jen Brea



Latest revision as of 20:47, April 2, 2023

Whitney before becoming ill with ME

Whitney Dafoe is the son of Dr. Ronald Davis and Dr. Janet Dafoe and is severely affected by myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Prior to becoming very severely ill with ME/CFS, Dafoe was an adventurer and photographer who traveled extensively. His journeys took him to all 50 states, India, Nepal, and Ecuador.[1]

Unrest[edit | edit source]

Whitney has a very severe form of ME. He can no longer speak nor handle contact with anyone but his parents due to visual dysfunction

Whitney Dafoe was one of several patients with severe ME who featured in the film Unrest, which also included interviews with his mother, psychologist Dr Janet Dafoe, and his father, scientist and researcher Dr Ron Davis.

After the release of Unrest[edit | edit source]

After the release of the movie Unrest, public interest in Whitney Dafoe increased, with Google suggesting people search frequently searching for his obituary or death - despite the fact he remains alive despite being so severely ill[2] - as well as seeking information about Ativan, also known as Lorazepam, a drug that was shown to briefly help him in Unrest.[3] In summer 2019, Whitney finally met ME advocate and film maker Jennifer Brea.[3]

In December 2019, at Whitney's request, his sister Ashley Haugen, created a twitter account for him, followed by a Facebook page in January 2020.[2][4]

Improvement in health[edit | edit source]

In June 2020, Whitney posted on Facebook to say that he was experiencing what seemed to be a temporary improvement, and was able to write and communicate using his cell phone briefly.[5] He stated that he didn't know the reason for the improvement, but it may have been linked to an increased dose of Cortef (hydrocortisone) or Abilify (aripiprazole).[5] Dafoe continues to rely fully on a feeding tube for nutrition and hydration, and can't tolerate the noise of others speaking without being sedated.[1][6]

The Puzzle Solver[edit | edit source]

In 2021, writer Tracie White and Dr Ronald W. Davis, Whitney's father, published the book The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole his Son, describing Whitney's battle with myalgic encephalomyelitis and his father's research to find a cure.[7]

The Living Death[edit | edit source]

In 2022, Whitney Dafoe was the Gold Winner at the European Photography Awards for his documentary entry The Living Death, a series of photographs of his experience living with severe ME.[8]

Articles and interviews[edit | edit source]

Online presence[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Archibald, Timothy (2016). "The puzzle solver". Stanford Medicine. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Whitney Dafoe (@DafoeWhitney)". Twitter. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Brea, Jennifer (June 3, 2019). "Meeting Whitney". Medium. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  4. "Whitney Dafoe". Facebook. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Dafoe, Whitney (June 11, 2020). "Whitney Dafoe". Facebook. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Dafoe, Whitney (April 27, 2021). "Extremely Severe ME/CFS—A Personal Account". Healthcare. 9 (5): 504. doi:10.3390/healthcare9050504. ISSN 2227-9032.
  7. White, Tracie; Davis, Ronald W. (January 31, 2021). The Puzzle Solver: A Scientist's Desperate Quest to Cure the Illness that Stole His Son (1st ed.). New York: Hachette Books. ISBN 9781549177545.
  8. "Documentary - The Living Death". European Photography Awards. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  9. Dafoe, Whitney (July 10, 2015). "Invisible Illness - Stories of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". YouTube. Palo Alto Online.
  10. Tucker, Miriam (October 5, 2015). "With his son terribly ill, a top scientist takes on chronic fatigue syndrome". Washington Post. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  11. "Scientist dad searches for cure for sick son, Newshour - BBC World Service". BBC. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  12. Tucker, Miriam (November 4, 2015). "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Gains Funding, And Controversy". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  13. Land, Stephanie (March 24, 2016). "Therein Lies your Calling". Stepville. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  14. Dafoe, Whitney (May 2, 2016). "Whitney Dafoe Palo Alto Online 2015 video - short". YouTube. Mary Dimmock.
  15. Land, Stephanie (October 24, 2016). "The Love of a Thousand Muskoxen: Grieving a Love Lost to Time and Sickness". Longreads. Retrieved October 13, 2018.