Well, hmmmm. I've been here an awfully looooooooong time now.
For me the board is extended family. I live about 350 miles from my closest family member, so that's a huge deal to me.
I can reach out to my board family any time of the day or night. It can be because I'm in need of urgent help, a shoulder to cry on, someone to worry with me, someone to bounce ideas off of, that I need information, or to brag about either the kids or grands, or heck, just to talk. Someone is always here. Always. I have never met such a huge group of more honestly caring people in my life as I've found here.
It is rare indeed that a day passes that I haven't been to the board at least once, even if it's just to pop in because I don't have time to post. Usually I'm not here because for some odd reason my internet is out. lol My kids talk about their board aunties as if they are members of the family. They have gotten to know their Aunties and difficult child well enough that they ask for updates from time to time. My kids were praying as hard for Janet during her illness as I was, and were constantly badgering me for updates on her condition.
And my mother keeps trying to figure out who all these family members she's heard about over the years are and where they came from.
Priceless.
When I found this board I was quite literally at the end of my rope. A member had told me to tie a knot in the end and hold on......Well, I'm still here.
I don't know how me or the kids would've faired without this board. The information I learn here......well, let's just say it's so vast I couldn't even begin. I do not say lightly that it is because of the caring members of my board family that both my difficult children are doing as well as they are today.
If you want my opinion, every member should inform their psychiatrists, tdocs, and pediatrician/fam docs of this board. (It is posted in all the offices of every doctor both difficult children ever had lol) The URL should be posted in every office. Medical students should be required to spend an x amount of clinical hours here just reading about the reality of mental illness.
I've watched the Power of this board and the loving devoted parents here and it never ceases to amaze me. I draw comfort from that Power. I draw strength from it. I swell with pride and joy when I see difficult child's make steps toward progress, no matter how small those steps may be. I cherish the friends I have here.
This is the most awesome place in the world.