I spent a lot of time reading through all of the forums on the CancerKids.org website. I found a blog that was a good example of a lot of the blogs on this site. It was very personal, which I thought was very interesting. People that don't even know each other are caring for someone they just met (not even in person). One blog was titled "need advice". It was a mom of a 17 month old that seemed to be new to the awful world of cancer. She was very stressed, and didn't really know a lot of what was going on. Someone replied with "we have all been there". It was really touching to see people helping a complete stranger. They seemed to bond over this horrible experience. Another lady responded to these answers and ended up by saying "keep us posted". They all seem to be mothers helping each other out. What I think is very interesting about the forums on this site is the fact that this is not a place for people to seek out information to replace what their doctor says. It is a place meant more for emotional support, and a spot where people can share their experiences.
http://forum.cancerkids.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9
It's great that there is a place where people can find support through such a terrible shared experience. No matter how much our friends and family are there for us through tough times, it's great that forums such as these have offered a community for people to go who KNOW what the members are going through from first hand experience. A simple thought like "keep us posted," can go a really long way in making someone feel not so alone.
ReplyDeleteThis is a touching example of the power of blogging to connect people and increase support through sharing of experiences. Emotional support can be hard to fulfill, but it is a necessity for those who are or know someone struggling with cancer. It is important that people have the ability to reach out and help one another. There is no easy way to deal with cancer, so the more opportunities for discussion and support the better.
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