Introducing a new Community Leader

[MH Community Mgr]

Hi,

Please join me in welcoming Bulldozer as the new Community Leader for the BiPolar Community. Bulldozer has helped many member on the community by sharing her knowledge and support.  We look forward to working with Bulldozer and the community as the BiPolar Community continues to grow.

Cheryl
MedHelp Community Mgr

[horselover65]

Congratulations! I think this is good news. I didn't know anything about having a CL since I'm new. You seem a nice, genuine and helpful person. I'm looking forward to reading all you have to say.

[pdr7686]

Congratulations! I have been reading your profile and it seems like you will be a good leader! Good luck!

[therese83]

For some reason I always thought you were a guy LOL!

Congratulations, this is an invaluable support to people with this illness.

[tres1965]

Congrats & welcome as the new leader!
I for on don't want to 'rock' the boat at all, so no compains here!
Good luck "boss" *L* Tres

[bernie40]

Thank you, all of you, I am incredibly touched by your support, more than you can imagine.  It is so important to me to help continue to keep this forum a safe environment for those of us living with BP or living with someone who has BP, and I know that you all feel the same way.

The people on this forum (you know who you are) have got me through some very difficult times over the last few months and I want to give as much back as I can.

Thank you again :-)

[monkeyc]

Could not think of  a better, more deserving person for this, someone who has helped me through some very hard times.

Well done :)

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes welcome as community leader. I agree with your posts that none of us should appear to take a position that would in anyway have a person change anything without consulting their psychiatrist first or take the position of an expert. However, as consumers sometimes we do notice things such as a person with bipolar being potentially misdiagnosed with depression because those are the only symptoms they reported and taking an anti-depressent which pushes them into a manic state. In that situation making suggestions about what might be going on would in my mind be appropriate as long as we confirmed that the person should discuss the information with their psychiatrist. I think one concern that I've stated is people who sign up to the site to misuse it to tell people to go off medication and if a person is not functioning well mentally, this can make them make the wrong decision. I believe any post of this nature should be removed and members asked not to do this if possible.
   I've posted information on some clinical studies I am in and advocacy I've done as regards new treatment and diagnoses and all this information could be confirmed as factual if needed. I do not in any way state that I have specific knowledge in this area or make recommendations but as a person who has conducted benefits advocacy I sometimes offer people specific information as regards the various options for obtaining health care coverage that would enable them to continue to work with their provider and stay in treatment. I do volunteer in a non profit but I do not try in any way direct consumers to it but post information on finding their local independent living centers which I am not affiliated with and I believe are good resources. Please let me know if any of this is of concern to you or if I can be of assistance in any manner.

[Lizz67]

Whoo-hoo!  I'm so pleased to see you in a formal position to carry on as you always have as being active, knowlegeable, compassionate, and self-disclosing.  You were the first person to reach out to me when I joined and have always been delightful to correspond with.  
(I don't mean to be kissing up to our new "leader."  Okay, yes, I am.)  

And I'm  pleased we can have more than one CL.  I didn't even know there was such a thing.  Hope I won't have to come to you with too many complaints but it's good to know there are members available to assist us.  Would you say your role would be like a liason or an ombudsman (sp)?
Congrats.

[LetaB]

  Thanks so much for the clarifications. I am a relaively new member so I am still feeling my way around this site but let me say that I have found this B.P. forum to be quite literally, a life saver and so I am very particular about how it is handled. The more peace makers on board the better.
  So you won't be adding "Queen" to your title any time soon?  

[bernie40]

Hi LetaB

I quite agree that there are a fair few members in this community who could if they wanted be part of the CL's.  If there is someone in particular then it is worth asking them if they actually want to, as a community is not limited to just one CL.  There was a CL on here who left not long before I joined the site, so this isn't something new to the BP forum just something new to some of us (myself included).

By agreeing to become a CL I have agreed to make a committment to helping as much as I am able, welcoming new members, diffusing awkward situations, helping to grow this community and keep it as the safe and supportive environment it currently is.

The word "leader" is probably the reason for raised eyebrows as it is not a leader in the true sense of the word.  I certainly do not consider myself higher or better or in charge of, etc than anybody else - it is merely a reflection that I am willing to do whatever I can to help within the community and make myself available to everyone whenever possible and be a point of contact.

There have been a few posts recently that have been particularly inflammatory, rude or just downright ludicrous - I shall keep a watch out for these and if I miss one then I know that someone else will either press the "report this" tab or will contact me.  

I will be a link between the community and medhelp in a sense, so any suggestions, ideas or complaints can come to me if you feel they are not being satisfactorily dealt with by other methods of communication.

I hope this helps :-)

[LetaB]

  What exactly are your duties? You are certainly on my short list for this honor but I must say that there are are a couple of other members in this forum that I firmly believe are just as valid options for "a Leader" (I do not refer to myself) but I think you  know whom I might be referring to. Were they consulted? I'm guessing that this is something that I do not need to get all worked up about (but remember which forum you are leader of) so if you could just enlighten me a bit....thanks.

[bernie40]

Hi,

Thank you Phtartist :-)

I hope this community continues to grow with the care, warmth and support that we already share.

It is the members of this community that make it so special and I for one am very thankful for its existence.

If I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.  I shall be happy to look at all enquiries and if i am unable to help myself I shall endeavour to point you in the right direction.  I shall keep a watchful eye for spam/trolls which we are fotunate enough not to get too often.

I am planning on posting a "sticky" fairly soon which cover some of the repeated questions and hopefully (if permitted) some useful websites related to bipolar.

[Phtartist]

Wonderful, sincere, helpful, insightful person.  Good choice.