New forum called "Someone I Care About Has HIV"?

[Queen Tokelove]

Jeffrey,

I too would like to know what you mean by watered down? I'm not trying to call you out or anything but I am taking everyone's thoughts into consideration. I had said previously that I didn't care but Jeromy and a few others have made some valid points for having a room open for people that are affected through others. I didn't vote one way or the other,so.....

[J220]

I say yes, and only because I see this simply as a matter of organization. It is much easier and concise to go to the forum you are interested in reading if the topic is better narrowed down.

While on the subject of forums, think the "Clinical Trials" forum should be changed to "Research News". This would be more in keeping with the vast majority of posts there. J.

[Peter Staley]

While on the subject of forums, think the "Clinical Trials" forum should be changed to "Research News". This would be more in keeping with the vast majority of posts there. J.

Good suggestion, J. 

We changed the title to "Research News and Studies".

Peter

[thunter34]

Yeah....what Queen said.  For the record, I'm not trying to 'call anyone out' or anything.  I am still pretty new on here, so I don't have the scope of perspective that some of the more long-term members have. 

~+

[DingoBoi]

I would have to say yes for the exact same reasons as when the 'newly infected' forum was debated.  Growing site traffic and a spoken need/want for it.

How has the newly infected forum fared in comparison to when it was debated?

[sweetasmeli]

I already voted yes but I just wanted to add to my comment.

The other day I was talking with my best friend on the phone. She told me that she had been speaking with a friend of hers who knows her brother is positive but also knows he hasnt told his partner. Long story short, she told me that they started talking to each other about their concerns: my best friend's concerns about me and her friend's concerns about her brother. I didnt ask because I didnt actually realise till I got off the phone, but I got the distinct impression that she felt relieved she finally had someone she could talk to about her thoughts and feelings about my health and issues I've been struggling with that she would like to help me with.

It suddenly hit me just how affected the family members and friends we disclose our status to can actually be by our hiv status. Even though I've always been aware of the 'burdening' effect that disclosure can have on the person who is told, I never really thought about how they can be affected in the long-term, with respect to needing to ask questions and discuss their thoughts and feelings etc. I now realise they may well have questions of their own they need to ask and discuss with others in the same boat as them. I guess I realised its not necessarily only us - the infected - who need a support network. The ones who care about us often need help coping too.

Melia

[Rhino]

There have been a quite a few questions I would liked to have asked but didn't because I was afraid to offended or upset anyone here. Maybe if there was a specific place I could have addressed these concerns I would have been able to interact with the poz people in my life a little better.

[Longislander]

Melia (as usual) makes perfect sense.

There are probably many questions that 'people who care' have , but are too embarassed, uncomfortable or unsure whether to ask the HIV person themselves.

I hope it happens, even on a trial basis. It can also give HIV+ people an inside look at what our friends/family may be thinking.

[Life]

Yes....

[thunter34]

That's kind of what I was trying to express in my 'yes' vote, but Melia said it so much better!  (As usual...Gosh, what a way with words that gal has!)  I will repeat myself again to say I see a great chance for opening up lines of communication on such a broad scope here.  The idea seems so worth it to me to try.

[Eldon]

Yes, I AM Supporting You!

Hey Peter...

It is amazing how your perception changes when you look at the same topic again. What came to mind was our member Maestro. He was or is in the situation where he was caring for someone who has HIV. He posted in the Living With Forum and he received a lot of support as well as suggestions. A perception.

"Don't You Dare Give Up, Don't You Dare Give In...Because It Is ALL Within YOU to WIN!!!"

[Peter Staley]

Thanks for the input everyone.  The YEAS have it. 

I've created the new board.  If, in a few months, folks don't think it's working out, we can always merge it into the Living With board.

Happy New Year!

Peter

[thunter34]

Yea!  I'm very happy about that!  I still don't see the forum on the left hand side.  When is it due to roll out for us?

[thunter34]

Never Mind.....TA DAH! 

Thanks, folks!

[lovingdaughter]

I voted Yes! Although I have always felt welcome here, & have had great support from all of you, I sometimes find myself feeling a little guilty (for a lack of a better word) when I am venting about what my family goes through with my dad's poor health & recurring hospital stays & asking questions from all of you, who are actually going through the same thing, first hand. I don't want to be separated from you guys, as you have become family to me. But at the same time, I read what you are going through & sometimes it just seems a little selfish of me to "cry" on your shoulders. Please don't misunderstand, I know none of you feel this way and you have always been there for me, I don't think I would have learned as much as I have without you guys and sometimes you are the only thing that gets me through to the next step. I'm just saying that, SOMETIMES, family, loved ones,etc. need an outlet of their own, on their level.

                               My best to all of you,
                                             Lisa