Possible new health page on "Acceptance"

[PastorDan]

I finally attempted to compile an anthology of the answers to PatHC's reflective dissertation, in hopes of developing a new health page for the benefit of all.  Well, it helped me immensely to understand what a lousy editor I am.  Basically, I copied what I felt were the most helpful posts, adding a comment or two between, and appropriate attribution.  Using 14 point type in MS Word (bad coincidence of acronyms, I know), it runs 16 pages.  My concerns are several.

First, I don't know if the MedHelp system will handle a health page that large, though I've no reason to believe it wouldn't.  We've had some extremely long forum threads, and this is shorter than the thread from which it's taken, I think, though I believe that was a journal rather than the forum.

Secondly, it is one of those things that Lulu warns us about in her thoughtful tips, as it is interminable when one tries to read through it.  So much of it is cut & paste, though, that it includes many assorted writing styles; perhaps that would serve to break up the monotony.

Thirdly, I am afraid that the somewhat epistolary style resultant tends to seem rambling, and while it works well for telling an ongoing story (think of "84 Charing Cross Road," if you've ever read that), it provides little structure for a new reader seeking answers, which is what I would hope a health page ought to accomplish.  Perhaps this topic is unique in many respects, and this approach would tackle a special topic in a special manner.

Being new at this, should I try to post it as a new health page, and let the flock peck away at it?  Should I (can I?) PM it to a few who were active in that thread, and/or our wonderful purple flower ladies?  Am I allowed to ask for e-mail addresses (via PM, of course; never post yours in a forum, please) where I could send it for rumination?

Thoughts?

[wadeheather]

You are a rock star....I've never attempted the health pages deal, so I really don't have an answer, but I would be willing to help you any way you need.  I can write, believe it or not. I do wonder, though, for those of us in limboland, where does the acceptance come from???  We have nothing, yet, to accept.

Would love your thoughts.
h

[sllowe]

Hey Pastor D,

So glad you are taking this on - it will be a great health page.  I'll send you my email via PM if you want me to mess with the look of it  - unless I'm chiming in too late and you already posted it and I'm clueless - ha/ha..

-shell

[Wobbly]

I think it a good idea.... cause I certainly DONT ACCEPT THIS...

wobbly
dx ppms

[Eyesnlegs]

Thank you for even attempting this.

Whichever way you want to play it I am happy to comment, help, proof read - whatever you need

Pat
x

[shoshin]

Also the health pages seem to have no "draft" mode, which is annoying if, like me, you never get stuff right on the first try.

sho

[shoshin]

Might be better to do a journal entry since you could then delete it if you don't like it in the end. Or make it so just your friends can see it. It seems to be hard to kill off a health page and Medhelp has to do it. Also, in my experience, the formatting of health pages is a giant pain (why MH can't have an HTML editor, too, and not just a funky WYSIWYG one I just don't understand) and cut-and-paste doesn't always work so well.

sho

[PastorDan]

Ideas.

Since when is dyslexia on my list?  Sheesh.

[PastorDan]

Both good isead, Lu; thanks again.  Since I'm a week or so past the date we discussed it, another half a day or so shouldn't make a lot of difference.  I'll do some rumination of my own before I act on the thoughts that you or anyone else expresses.

[Lulu54]

PD - you could post it as a journal entry where everyone who is interested could see it and comment on any changes that think might be necessary.

OR you can just go ahead and copy/paste it to a new health page and everyone can edit it right there.

whatever works for you is good for us!
L