Posted by Margi on June 10, 1999 at 10:35:18:
Ok, I've bounced this off Mom and so far so good, so I want some feedback from the rest of the family.
What about starting an On Line Support feature for our Board? A lot of us have or are getting ICQ. With such a spread out family there is usually someone on line at any given point over the 24 hour period, with all the different time zones we live in. What if we, (I say we but I really mean DJ) created a new button on the Board call Supporters On Line Now and posted our volunteer's ICQ number(s) that are available at the moment to lend an ear, send a cyber hug, just give the one-on-one support that might help a sufferer through a rough time. With ICQ you can send instant messages back and forth or go into the split screen and actually see each other typing, real time. I believe it also has a chat room feature and I will do some research on that to see if we could get more than two people in on a conversation...
A few of us have already been conversing this way (haven't we Linda?) and we're finding it to be quite helpful to actually feel the person on the other end of the line - instant gratification.
Of course, this may not work for sufferers who are at the peak of their attack who can't stand to sit still or look at a computer screen, but it might help their supporters to help them get through it. The sufferer could join when able.
If we do this, we are going to need lots of volunteers to do some, say, two-hour shifts around the world so that we CAN have someone on line at all times. This would be much cheaper than the 1-800 number (actually it's free, gotta like that). Just a thought.....
Ok, your turn. Feedback please.
Water Water Water
Margi