two sides to every story

[Guest guest]

In response to the recent comments from a PLS Friend regarding the joke telling and bantering on-line, I'll admit that I have taken offense at some of the messages that have been sent. When I first came on-line, I had serious reservations about becoming a part of this group, because at the time there was a lot of stuff about someone's couch, wearing a thong, etc., then later about which is the best football team. I don't know the first parts to either of those stories, but I did and still do feel strongly that they were a poor reflection on our group. Those things should definitely NOT have been sent to the group. If the folks, involved in those stories or private jokes, enjoyed them, so be it-- BUT keep them private. Particularly slightly off-color or suggestive innuendos do not belong here. Clearly, they were not wrong, but were in the wrong place. I get perturbed when I click on to a message, and it's something like "What do you mean by that?", "I'll be seeing you soon", "Well, we'll see", etc. In other words, they seem to be part of a conversation between two people. For heavens sake, send them to the person they're meant for, NOT the whole group!! Another new member articulated his same opinion to me recently. I am not a Nun and I do enjoy a "dirty" joke as much as anyone. I pass around a lot of jokes to my friends but do respect the personalities involved by not giving them to those who would find them offensive. With so many people in our group, we need to respect the moral diversity and be careful to not offend anyone nor project the wrong image.

On the other hand, sharing of jokes in good taste, seems very appropriate to me. We are not PLSers; we are human being who happen to have PLS. Identifying ourselves by our disease seems unhealthy. Just talking about our aches and pains, tests, symptoms, etc. puts too much focus on that aspect of our lives. So many have expressed their battles with depression. Laughter is definitely therapeutic. Medical literature clearly documents the alteration of chemicals in the brain with laughter. Sharing a good laugh is just as healing as sharing a good cry. It's just another kind of support we can give each other. It is important that we keep that in mind. Usually the sender of the laugh benefits as much as the welcome recipient of the laugh. I guess what it boils down to, is trying to keep a positive attitude. Without a doubt, the "disease" information we share with each other is very helpful and informative and necessary. The inspirational messages that have been shared have also been terrific. Let's round out all aspects of our lives--everyone has his/her own unique contribution to the group. That's wonderful.

Dolores Carron

P.S. I love the "blonde" jokes and I happen to be blonde.