Why Donate (a Dollar)? What Do You Get From This Forum?

[Changing4Best]

I know that there is almost always someone on this site, so I can always come here, day or night, and find someone to chat with or PC with.

I have been a member for years, I read a lot, enjoy helping (new folks especially) and in general, spend probably at least an hour of my day, each day, here.

I donated $25 yesterday and will donate when I have the funds to do so, probably once a month or so.

Thanks to everyone who donates and especially to Anthony and Nicolette for keeping this place humming.

 

[joeylittle]

I found this place a little less than a year ago. I never expected to be dealing with the trauma that happened to me. I never expected I'd have a PTSD diagnosis. And I didn't know the first thing about how to process this disorder. I had a great therapist who was taking me through trauma processing, but no-one to help me with "you have PTSD" processing. So, I stumbled around the internet for months - but barely, because I was scared. And then MyPTSD came along.

I'm not sure I would still be alive if I hadn't found the forum, to be honest. The thing I am most afraid of is losing my mind. And a whole lot of PTSD can feel like losing your mind. But here, I could read about other people losing their minds too. And read about people who had found themselves again, at the other end of the darkest part of the tunnel.

I don't know what hope is, really. I know what day-to-day is. I come here, and I read what we are all going through, and how we all share what we've learned about what it is to be a person with PTSD. I always find something that helps me get to the next day, the next therapy session, the next hour or minute sometimes. It's like having access to a 24/7 safe house/support group/info channel/distraction generator.

So, I am glad I'm able to give. I like to think I'm giving on behalf of members who can't right now, members who aren't even here right now, members who haven't joined yet. And helping to shoulder the burden of an incredibly vital, useful, life-saving resource is a reward unto itself.

 

[Kintsugi]

I've started donating since I got my first truly stable job ever as well as a stable home. I have always wanted to donate to the forum and just never felt able to. In retrospect, I could have donated $5 a month if I'd made it a priority, but I was in a different place then.

This site has given me so much in the nearly four years I have been a member. When I first arrived at MyPTSD, I was in a very dark place, and I have moved through many shadows since. My first summer here, my partner had given me an ultimatum to work on myself or lose him. He went away for three months to China, and the forum and my dog were my only two constant companions in my journey to improve my situation.

I have grown so much here. It's hard to believe I'm the same person I was when I arrived. I've gained years, yes, but I would not be the person I am today without this site intervening in my development. I was twenty when I joined, and I feel like this site has helped me to forge and fire my adult personality as I grow into myself.

When I no longer had an Internet connection, a forum member offered to pay my Internet bill. When I needed a resource, another member sent it to me. But most importantly, the many times I have been in my darkest headspace, members here threw me a rope and pulled me out.

This site is more than a resource to me; it is survival when I am failing to be the fittest. I owe more to Anthony, Nicolette, and all the wonderful members here than I could ever hope to pay back. What I receive here, and what I aspire to give, is utterly invaluable. I am grateful for all of you. It's a joy to survive by your side.

 

[Wastinglight]

The site has become a regular fixture in my life. It gives me a sense of community. I come here to ask advice, offer support to others and share experiences with other supporters and sufferers, whose lives have been touched by PTSD. The PTSD experience is a unique one - on both sides of the fence (supporter and sufferer), and it's sometimes difficult to understand. This site has been the single most helpful resource I have yet found in helping support my sufferer, and seeking reassurance at difficult times.

 

[Sammyiam]

I have never been on the internet much at all before I found this site and only found it after having a major meltdown after a tragic family event. I have been struggling with my entire life since then, not knowing what was wrong until last year mmmmm maybe the year before, anyway I have slowly seen my life as I knew it slowly disappear and is still heading down sadly at the moment. I googled PTSD when I returned from the doctor not knowing really what it was all about.

I found this site and since have made some really neat friends who understand so much as they go through such similar but different things. One of the best things I have found that at any time of the day or night you can pretty much guarantee that someone well be online to talk to you or help you out when you feel like the world is closing in around you.

Thank you so much

Sammy

 

[Deleted member 27340]

I don't have any money to donate, and if I had I don't know how I would donate because I don't have a card that can be used online (too young) and stuff. I could've bought a VISA gift card, though. I'll do that next time I've got money.

I would donate because this site is providing a massive amount of support in my life, and there are so many wonderful, supportive and sweet people on here. If this site shut down, many people would lose an important source of support. I'm not sure where I'd be without this page, but I'm pretty sure it'd be far back from where I am now. I've been using this site a lot, and I'm pretty sure I will continue to be here for quite a while.

I'll also give my thanks to this site for the massive improvement in my English the past half year :P

 

[Purplemunchkin]

I'm a supporter, not a sufferer, but I find this forum to be a huge support to me.

To be able to logon any time and ask for advice. To read threads and know that certain symptoms/behaviours/reactions are reasonable with a PTSD context. To know that other people feel what hubby does, and what I do.

It is priceless.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@digger Yes this site is helping me. I can not give right now. A forward gesture from you to this community, I will repay ten fold. Thank you.

 

[Nicolette]

I like to think I'm giving on behalf of members who can't right now, members who aren't even here right now, members who haven't joined yet. And helping to shoulder the burden of an incredibly vital, useful, life-saving resource is a reward unto itself.

You have thank you :)

 

[digger]

Wow!...It's up to the final month just left to be covered (for this year) on the overall target. :laugh::):D:tup:

Up to $20 here so far from responses to this thread (which I'll put in Friday along with any sponsored dollars) but keep them coming :)

 

[Nam]

I could write a book as to why I donated. I can't believe I didn't do it before.

Back in the day, it was ptsdforum. I came to the forum to seek like minded people like myself. I also had thought that I could help some of these people because I so would have liked someone that understood while I was in the darkness. Come to find out, I needed some help too. Over the years, I had gotten to a functioning level and stayed off the forum for a while. It had gone through a huge change by the time I checked in again. I'm so glad that this forum is still here. That the same owner is here and might I add he hasn't changed a bit. Just by the sheer numbers shows how successful this forum is and how helpful it is to everyone who comes by.

I'm now getting to know the "regulars" and finding myself "socializing" again. I have just recently hopped into chat. I was afraid before....but unsure why.

I use the diary everyday. It has helped me think through the process and to make words for it. Just the act of finding the right words to describe it is therapy. The forum has done such a great job catering to the needs of it's people. The privacy settings, the extras and the sheer amount of information that have accrued over the years is nothing to laugh at.

If I counted how many months I used this forum, and donated just a few dollars each month, I'm still short in donations so far. I will hope to continue giving even after this drive so that I know that this place stays right here.

 

[digger]

A teeny bit early putting the donation in, but if there's a sudden influx of replies now I'll add them on to my next donation :) keep sharing what you get from the forum anyway.

21 replies, a handful of sponsored dollars and a little extra towards keeping Spock's disco ball spinning in the chat room ;)