Today we have the second instalment of our ‘What the Community means to me…’ series. This series highlights just how much support, friendship and kindness is shared on the site every day. Today we have two members, and Popgate sharing their stories and discussing what it means to them to be on the site. Why not take a moment to read through? Missed our first instalment? You can click here to read tvman's story.
Johnty's story:
'I was diagnosed 17 months ago with a rare incurable blood cancer and for the first year I coped all by myself, but as my disease has progressed and is now terminal, I wanted to create a support network for myself. The Macmillan forum has come to play a big part in my emotional well being.
"It has meant so much to me to feel useful again..."
I have taken all my experiences and tried to encourage my fellow ‘End of life’ forum members to contribute to the discussion threads I create. They have responded and it has meant so much to me to feel useful again. When someone says, that’s exactly how I feel too, you know you’ve made a connection and that makes it all worthwhile.
"I have gained so much from other forum members...they are my kindred spirits."
I have gained so much from other forum members that has sustained me at my lowest moments, they are my kindred spirits.'
Popgate's story:
'I live on my own and am a very private person who has a lot of anxiety issues and I am not good with facing people, so this site is fantastic for me. Even though I still have problems with online stuff, I prefer the old-fashioned way of pen and paper, the support on here has helped me over many meltdown moments.
"You can say exactly how you feel, good or bad, and someone always gets back to you..."
You can say exactly how you feel, good or bad, and someone always gets back to you even though they have their own problems to deal with as well and that means a lot to me. I always try to welcome new people to the groups and help and support other people.
It's such a nice feeling when people get back to you to say that I have helped them or made them laugh and feel better. I honestly don't think I would be here now if I wasn't told about this site. Some days, especially when you have had bad news from the hospital with scan results and other things, you cannot see a way out.
"I couldn't live without this site now it's a huge part of my life."
Living on my own adds to the problem, so I get on here for a chat and you get the support that you need and you find that you are not the only one who feels the way you are feeling. We all share our experiences, I couldn't live without this site now it's a huge part of my life. '
A huge thanks to Johnty and Popgate for sharing their stories with us today. If you want to share your insight into how being on the Community has affected you, why not comment below? Or, if you want to write a piece for our new series do get in touch with the team by sending an email to community@macmillan.org.uk.
