This is a safe place...
 

Kicker's thread got me thinking...

Do you say things here that you don't tell anybody in your "real" life? There's something about this community...there's always somebody who gets it. And sometimes all it take is one, just one person who understands.

I had just gotten out of the shower around 6 this evening, drying my hair, and all of a sudden it hit me: I didn't cry today! And then it hit me: There's nobody I can tell that to. And then it hit me: Yes there is. And so I just did.

:grouphug:

I love this post, thanks and hugs.:)

B2y,.............................................. ...................................
 

:eek: I really thought, your question was interesting! :confused:
But, I was wondering, were you asking, whether, we ask things, here,
which, we don't feel *comfortable*, asking people in our "real" lives?
:eek: Or, did you mean, things, we really don't want others to know???:o
:eek:I mean, *anyone*, could find their way to this site and see all of our
posts?!:confused::eek::o :confused:Just, wondering!:);)

Phyllis

Good point, Phyllis. Yes, this is a public forum, and I wouldn't post anything confidential or that could cause trouble for someone else.

I meant things that, for various reasons, I don't feel comfortable sharing with my family, friends, church, whatever.

Thank you for the clarification!!!
 

;)Yeah, I guess, that was just, a little reminder, anyone, can
pop in, here!:eek::o

Phyllis

B2Y, I love this thread, too! :) And I understand exactly what you mean. There's always someone here who "gets it" even when those in our everyday in-person real life don't. Especially for those of us with MS - the "misunderstood symptom" disease - because sometimes we look too good to feel so bad! ;)

I say things here I wouldn't say to my family or anyone else and some of it I say it here because I can't say it to my family.

Sometimes there are things you need to talk about but family and friends wouldn't get it. Sometimes there are things that you don't want to burden them with, or sometimes they are going through their own rough spots. Sometimes what you tell people (family, friend, co-worker) can have ramifications that you don't want. Some of us have people in our lives who always need to "win" the conversation.

Sometimes...you just need a safe place.

Yup. It is definitely a safe place. Sometimes healthier people discount what we deal with because they just don't know. When I say something about what is bothering me and the person doesn't get it, that can hurt. I can end up feeling "unheard". It is safe to say what is bothering me here. No one is going to brush me off!

I know that at least one other person here has dealt with any particular symptom and so I don't feel alone with it.

I know that I don't share what's going on so that I don't burden my family members, esp DH, who has more than his share to carry with his parents lately.
For instance, he said the other day, "You're walking really well." I told him that he doesn't know the mental energy it takes to make sure I am lifting my bad leg, not walking like a drunk, etc etc.

The emotional roller coaster ride is also something I try not to share, although DH's shoulder is always available to cry on...I could cry for hours if I let myself...just part of the disease for me. I get overwhelmed easily, the brain fog is frustrating at best, and I just need to boo-hoo to rid myself of the rotten feelings.
When I say to a friend I haven't seen for awhile, "I have MS," I get the usual "You look great...you don't look sick at all," I smile, nod, and thank my lucky stars that I have a place like this where people truly do "get it.":)

I said the same thing to my DS. He said that made it easier to understand what I was feeling. That just because I don't look like I feel bad or tired doesn't mean anything.

Another reason I feel safe here is that when I share how I feel, no one has EVER said "Well make up your mind!" I've noticed that I'm not the only one that is firmly attached to the pendulum:

Some days I think "Wah, nobody calls me" and other days "I wish they'd leave me alone!" Some days I think, "I don't want to be treated differently, I want to be treated just like everybody else!" and the next day I'll think, "Well, they should give me special consideration".

One day I'll be so grateful for what I'm still able to do, the next day I'll be "cursing" this stupid disease for stealing my life. One day I'll be the one saying "look on the bright side" and the next day I'll want to smack the person who says that.

Some days I think, "I'm not going to let MS beat me!" and some days I think, "I'm not going to push myself just to prove a point."

Some days I care, and some days I don't. And most of the time, I don't know HOW I feel...and when I figure it out, I don't know how to explain it. And nobody here says "Why don't you make up your mind?"

They definitely know better than that!! :cool: :D

Thanks Blessings for (as Tony the Tiger would say) a Grrreeeaaattt Post.:) :hug: