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147426 tn?1317265632

For the veteran forum members

Okay, what I mean by veteran forum members are those of you who have been posting for a while and are committed to this forum and being a part of it.  That may mean a month or so or 6 months.  The definition is in your own minds.

I have been working with MedHelp to put up a permanent "Welcome" Thread (discussion) that will always be the first one on the first page.  What I would like to see is a series of posts from the veteran members welcoming new people and speaking of what draws them to the forum, what benefit they have gotten from posting here, directing them to some of the good things we have to offer (easy and intimate communication, Health Pages, whatever), or why they come back.

My goal is to make the Welcome page/thread much more than a welcome written by one member.  I would love it to have the voices of many members.  I would like to see a permanent community "welcome."  This will do much more to give newbies a sense of who we are, what we do and what we can offer.  Probably mid-week, I will post it for people to add their own welcome in their own words.  Then MedHelp will sticky-note to the top of the first page.

You are welcome to respond to this with more ideas, but for a few days I will keep this near the top of the first page so that everyone can be thinking about what they would like to say.  And maybe give the "heads up" to people they think would have something good to say.  In general, I am thinking that this will NOT be a place to tell one's whole story, but I think for some people a brief summary of what they went through and how this forum played a role would be great.

This thread will remain open for anyone to add to.  If posts get added that are inappropriate we will delete them, PM the people and invite them to post on the regular page, sot the thread stays with it's original purpose.  If we get the software capability we will redirect them to another thread.

What do you all think?

Quix
26 Responses
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457961 tn?1217706825
I am here for support and look forward to welcoming newbies and telling my story!  

I hope you feel better soon!
I hope that you all are well and thanks for making me and everyone feel at home here!  Great support for everyone starts with a friend and there are many here!

Hugs to all,
Debra
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338416 tn?1420045702
Hey, granny - put this post on the Welcome thread!  
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199882 tn?1310184542
I would love to welcome everyone to our family.  When I first came here I was so lost and so alone.  I didn't know what was wrong with me and I had been struggling with it for 3 years.  I imagine most of you know the feeling I'm talking about.  It's the limbo land time of your life.  This is the scariest and most horrible feeling in the whole world.  You feel so alone and that no one knows what you are feeling, you feel like your the only person in this world that this is happening too.

That all changed when I came to this wonderful forum.  Had it not been for all of you wonderful family members I'm not sure I would be alive today.  A very special thanks to Quix.  She personally took me under her wing as she does so many of you, and walked me through everything that was happening to my body and why.  When I finally got my diagnosis of MS in August of 2007 it was guess who that came to my side?  My dear friend Quix.  

All of the stress, anxiety, PAIN, bad days, good days, loneliness, depression, personal relationships, and so many other things that each of us either go through or are going through, it all seems so much easier when you have these people by your side with each step you can feel them taking you by the arm and helping you through it.

Med Help is not only wonderful for it's people but the resources and information at our fingertips is unbelievable.  It really doesn't matter what question we may have either someone knows the answer or can tell you where on Med Help to turn to.  

I promise each and every one of you that you are not alone.  We all welcome you here and even if you post a question and it doesn't get the response amount that you wanted, go ahead and post again.  This forum moves so fast that sometimes there are so many questions that your post is on the second page in a matter of an hour or two.  I promise one thing, and that's that we care for all of you and all of your questions and concerns are very important to all of us and especially our forum lead people or moderators.

Once you post and see what kind of people you are dealing with here, you will soon see that this is not like any other forum you have ever seen.  There is such a closeness and family like atmosphere here that you could search forever and not find a group of people like there are here.

I for one want to personally welcome each and every one of you and please feel free to jump right on or go back through our archives and read what I'm talking about.  I also hope that if you need me for anything, I will be here for you.  I also know so many others here that are true veterans and they will also jump in to help in any way.

I'll be praying,
Carol  (OK)

PS.  I'm sorry this was so long, Quix said only a few words to welcome ya'll would be plenty but I couldn't find a good stopping place because there are so many wonderful things about our family that I didn't want to leave anything out.
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147426 tn?1317265632
bump
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147426 tn?1317265632
If you don't add your thoughts to the welocme thread, I'll come after your with a switch!!!

It's my finest idea in years, don't let it sink off the page!!!

Q  :(

(Thank YOU  Jen, Moki and Doni!!!!)
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147426 tn?1317265632
Please help!!  The new Welcome Thread has been posted but not "stuck" to the top yet and it is drifting off the first page!  We need people to add their welcomes!!  Pass the word!  

Please add your welcome.

Q
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199882 tn?1310184542
This is a fantastic idea and I will be happy to contribute in any way possible.  I'm sorry your feeling a bit down but I know you well enough to know that not even MS can keep you down for long.

I'll be praying,
Carol

PS.  I'm hoping that now that things have settled down a little in my life that I can spend more time helping answer those who need words of encouragement.
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147426 tn?1317265632
My next new post will be the "Welcome thread"  which will end up permanently at the top of the page.

I am feeling bad, with increased fatigue, and pain and weakness in my right arm.  I am not able to be on the forum much right now.  I know this is a recurring whine of mine and I'm sorry.  I hope you will continue to do the great job you are doing with keeping everyone answered.

There is some great information flowing here!

Quix
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Avatar universal
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Avatar universal
Sounds great!  I know that I searched for answers far and wide, and this was the first place that I could get any assistance.  It has been a tremendous support group for me for the past few months!

Teresa
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147426 tn?1317265632
I'm keeping this high for the committed forum members to consider.

Q
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222135 tn?1236488221
I'm in!

Penn
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Avatar universal
I think it sounds like a great idea and take some of the pressure off you all that try to catch all the newbies as soon as possible to welcome them.  I'll try to help if I can.

Barb


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429700 tn?1308007823
I'm fairly new, but I don't mind giving my story.
Deb
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338416 tn?1420045702
Yeah, by all means, bring it on!  As the postings multiply, you might find that you'll need to edit and condense the posts to bring the cream to the top, so to speak.  I suspect many people will be posting to that thread first, because they're not sure where to go next.
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198419 tn?1360242356
Sounds good to me!

I'll have to figure something to say!

-SL
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220917 tn?1309784481
What a wonderful idea!

Welcome, Michael!

Zilla*
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465975 tn?1224231635
i am a "newbie" but I feel very welcome and would love to participate. Thank you.
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281565 tn?1295982683
It's a fantastic idea. Count me in!! So long as my brain cooperates with my fingers. lol

Moki
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382218 tn?1341181487
I've only been here for a few months but it sure seems a lot longer!  I'm happy to participate.

db
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294425 tn?1288528395
What a great idea!  It would be a quick way for people to get a feel for this forum and the "vibe" here.  I know I had hooked up with a couple of other forums during my search for a diagnosis, depending on where the search was going at that time.  NONE of the other forums was like this group - so knowledgeable, so compassionate, so warm and welcoming.  This group has kept me together many times.... :)  I'll do anything you need to help out...

And a HUGE thank you for all the info on diagnosis and the McDonald Criteria - it made more sense to me than it ever has!  You do so much for us, and provide us with so much valuable info.... you rock!!

Rita
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335728 tn?1331414412
I think this is a good idea and I would be happy to help out.  The idea that people can come in and look at a page filled with statements from real people that have had real results from the forum would be a good thing.  I am happy to help anyone in any way that I can...just ask.

Rena
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Avatar universal
GREAT IDEA !!!!!


T-LYNN
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Avatar universal
I read your reply/welcome to kittenix and loved the way you directed her to the health pages.  This would be a great addition to a permanent welcome.  

I will help in any way I can, perhaps after the thread gets rolling.  I have lost patience with my ability to compose, and I have developed a very choppy, blunt approach to posting . . . not to my liking.  I do think it is a wonderful idea for a wonderful forum!

Sherry  

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