When I purchased my first computer in March of this year at the age of 60, I was really looking forward to finding and joining some kind of support group that dealt with Crohn's disease. I found the Healing Well Forum and after reading some of the posts, felt that this was the place where I could not only feel comfortable in not only asking questions, but could have support of people that shared this disease. Because I have been through many surgeries, one that caused sepsis, I also thought that maybe I could help others with questions that they might have, and to offer suggestions, always keeping in mind of how they were feeling. No one wants to ask a questions and then find the post locked because of bickering between other posters, it is not fair to the person that just wants some help.
I found early on that not only can you get your feelings hurt on a computer, but the back and forth bickering between people who try to one up each other was a bit hard to take. I found that when someone asked a question on the site, it would slowly lead to other things that would have nothing to do with the original question. I would always feel bad for the person asking the question because sometimes it was someone that had just joined the forum. I always have thought that it was not the proper way to treat someone who just wanted some help.
I have only been a part of this forum for just over 3 months, but already have been made to feel insignificant, my answers aren't important, and lastly have had my feelings hurt more than once, like I said in my last post, my skin is not as thick as some poeple's but I don't want to feel bad about trying to help.
I have tried very hard to post answers that were kind, and always mindful of others feelings, I just wish that others on this forum, would have done the same.
This forum is not a place to see who is the smartest, but to help people and make them aware that they are not alone like I felt when I joined this forum.
I would like to thank the many other people who have helped me with questions I had, I truly appreciate your responses, even to a few computer questions that I had. I feel sad that I won't be part of this forum anymore, but I just don't know what else I can do, I am just too sensitive a person for some of the back and forth that goes on I don't want to feel sad again.
So again, thank you to all who have been kind, and please just take a few minutes before you hit "submit", to re-read your answer and think about what you have just written to someone. Sorry this is so long, but it has been building up for awhile and I just had to vent like others have done from time to time, so I apologize.