I have been a member of a variety of different online support groups for a variety of different topics. Here are some posting guidelines that, in my experience, have helped everybody feel comfortable, welcome, and get the support that they need.

1) Try to stick to the main topic of the original poster. If I have questions about a detail or want to talk about something related, I might consider starting a new topic or perhaps sending a private message.

2) Share my own experience, strength, and hope. Different people have different experiences. My concussion experience has some similarities to others and some differences, so the things I share will be helpful to some and not helpful to others. I can speak only from what I know and have experienced. My life experiences, doctors I have seen, reading on the subject, and personal belief system, of course influence the way I experience and interpret my concussion. These will also be unique to me.

Therefore, I try to phrase things in terms of me and my rather than in terms of you and your or making general statements about "concussion victims as a whole" whenever possible.

3) Take what you like (or need) and leave the rest. Sure, people are going to say things that aren't helpful to me or possibly even that I disagree with. If I have contradicting experience, I can share that by saying "In my experience..." without ever having to mention the other person. There doesn't need to be a battle of egos.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. We all have good things to offer each other. Let's gratefully accept those and graciously leave what's less useful behind.

IN SUMMARY:
We have all come here because we're in a very difficult situation. We have physical, mental, emotional, and neurological stressors going on. It's easy to react (and overreact) to each other because of those things. I think if we try to follow the guidelines above and help each other with love and good faith, we can all get the support we need here.

Peace, love, and healing to all!!

Eowyn,

Thank you very much for this.

These are some very good guidelines to follow.