[Blessings2You]

...where everybody knows your user name. Or if they don't know your name, they know where you're coming from.

It's like a refreshing, relaxing, uplifting break from the "real world" of work and family and life in general that shores me up and makes it possible to continue on.

The people out there who don't get it aren't bad, they aren't even necessarily wrong, they just don't have that one thing in common that draws me here.

When I speak of Neurotalk to my husband or my daughter or my friend, I never say "message boards". I always say "the online support group" or just "the support group". A message board is for chit-chatting about perennials or antique tractors. This place isn't about posting, it's about communicating. (Though we can chit-chat here, too. Thanks, DocJohn)

You don't have to explain yourself until your lips turn blue, or defend your fatigue, or pretend to agree because you're sick of correcting.

You don't have to fake a good mood when your muscle spasms kept you from getting any sleep or when you discovered one more thing you can't do anymore.

You can gripe or sob about any symptom, or consequence of symptoms, any diagnosis or lack thereof, and reap a bountiful harvest of cyber-hugs and cyber-understanding.

Sometimes you just want to go where everybody is in the same boat. It helps keep me from sinking. God bless you all.

[Debbie D]

Amen to that!! It is a blessing to have this place where people understand what you're experiencing, and you don't have to pretend to feel good...
and it's a great place to find actual laughter...these folks here have a great sense of humor (and of the absurd), and it's always great to find a thread that makes you laugh.
And to find support...

[Kitty]

I agree, too! It's so nice not to have to explain every little thing.....I get so tired of feeling like I have to justify my condition to people who don't understand.

I don't know what I'd do without this place and these friends I've found here.

[barb02]

I am in total agreement. I generally just tell my friends and falily that I am fine or okay, and then come here for real support and understanding. And sometimes it is fun just to be silly.

[SallyC]

This is our home away from home and was started by DocJohn, who realized that and heard our cries, when that other place went down. The person who ran that message board, did not know how we felt or seem to care. He lost all of our archives and took his time getting the site back up. Too little, too late.

I will forever remember DocJohn in my prayers.

I love you All..

[Blessings2You]

Just for the record, I still frequent "the other place", and some of my friends are there also. It's not the same as NT, but it's still good. Both meet my needs in different ways.

[Jodylee]

I totally agree B2Y . Especially since I'm the one my extended family and friends go to with ALL of their problems. They wear me out and don't even realize it. I guess that's the price I pay for being the oldest child and umm a wee bit bossy, LOL. I love coming here where I'm not expected to have answers for everything. . I try to go to the 'other place' once in a while but it just feels so cold there now. NT feels like home .

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by Blessings2You

Just for the record, I still frequent "the other place", and some of my friends are there also. It's not the same as NT, but it's still good. Both meet my needs in different ways.

The same here, Blessings, Some lovely People are still there, But the place has lost my loyalty, because of it's cavalier treament of us.

I forgave, but I can't forget..

[Judy2]

Amen to all the comments so far and to you B2Y for starting this thread. I agree, the "other" place is okay for information and seeing some familiar names, but NT is the place I come for understanding, unconditional hugs, friendship and smiles. Thanks Doc John for giving us this outlet, especially for those of us with no other social contacts. Being alone most every day with this monster so advanced is extremely taxing and frustrating. As was said, what a blessing it is to have this place to feel a part of. When no one else wants to "bother", you're always here!!

Thank you my (((((friends)))))....

[CayoKay]

Originally Posted by joellelee2000

I totally agree B2Y . Especially since I'm the one my extended family and friends go to with ALL of their problems. They wear me out and don't even realize it. I guess that's the price I pay for being the oldest child and umm a wee bit bossy, LOL..

same here, but a small variation on the theme...

our family's oldest child abdicated the position, when she fell into unfortunate circumstances (drugs), and thus, I became the responsible one, the go-to-gal for support and nurturing for our passel of six kids.

I think the moment that irremediably soured my relationship with my older sis was when she told me that her drug addiction was a DISEASE, just like my MS...

now I understood that totally, (I was a substance abuse counsellor for teens at one time), BUT...

I told her... "I don't *pour* the MS down my throat, or shoot it into my veins! If I could STOP having the MS by stopping a behaviour (no matter how difficult) I'd DO it, in a heartbeat!"

and yes, it's sometimes a bit of a sticky wicket for me, living in a place where MS is unknown... sometimes I *see* the "looks"

since my MS is mostly invisible, people sometimes appear to think I'm just lazy or slacking.

so this board is a Godsend, where I can let my hair down, be myself, be supportive if I'm able, and whine when I need to.

bless every darn ONE of ya !!