I encourage all concerned patients and support persons to not be shy and to please participate in these forums by sharing personal experiences, knowledge and/or asking questions.  In doing do so we may all learn of avenues to wellness.  By formal training as a former DBSA facilitator and following the same support group format at meetings I ask that each participant please speak from personal experiences and knowledge and to speak in the first person singular, “I,” and not to give advice in terms of “you” should do this or that but “I” did this or that.

In doing so we may avoid needless and stressful confrontation.  I also encourage each participant when citing information to try their best to source the links and/or resources to information.  There is an old saying which I’ll paraphrase, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink."  We all can make our best efforts to share and educate each other but it is incumbent upon each patient and/or support persons to advocate for oneself.

I do not believe there are any stupid questions to be asked only uniformed individuals or unknowledgeable responses.

I ask that we all maintain our civility under some very trying and stressful circumstances and hopefully we each may benefit from these discussions in our own way.  I also encourage the establishment of a support network and friendship from these forums.  I know the support groups and various message forums I have participated in, through these many years, have lead to and developed into some most valuable and long-lasting friendships.
 

Please remember when posting to please think carefully and reread that which you wish to express.  It is acceptable to discuss and debate opinions and information that are presented but it is inappropriate to direct one’s postings about or toward an individual.
 

Educating, sharing and courtesy should be the objective along with our primary objective of achieving wellness.
 

Warmly,
Herb