Hey, Tink:
You have just illustrated my point; I'm happy You don't agree with me and Your attitude is what makes KickAS the best place on Earth for support.
Some people will not get one kind of support from me, because they are expecting something that I am not, but they might get that support from You, instead, and I appreciate You for it.
I absolutely never try to resolve actual issues via PM; it is not fair to others who learn from the discourse. Our ideas are out in the open, and we not only post replies to one person, but to people who are not even members, but are sometimes looking on. I have received many emails from people who contacted me after various debates and these often do not even want to become members, but just want more information, or eventually join to keep themselves updated but might never post. They are shy or they just don't want to start anything as often said.
KickAS can benefit members as well as non-members just doing some research. The sometimes polite exchanges or sometimes actually supportive posts are a luxury, thanks to the awesome members--individuals--who care enough to respond.
We each know what having AS is like and what being alone with this disease means. There was no internet when I had active disease, it was just me, alone with my AS and perhaps there is something useful there: Once we are alone, and the din of others dies down, we realize it is just ourselves against this monster and we fight the best way we can. Perhaps something good will come of this, too. AS can teach important lessons, and I am certain there is a reason I had AS.
I don't know whether You read of my experiences with doctors, but it is not just my own orientation that they should--and shall eventually--do better for those of us with AS. I fully expect that those who now so ardently support their physicians might in that future time not like so much of what a doctor with a successful treatment for AS might say to them.
Thank You, for being YOU,
John
