Request regarding Subject Lines

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I've been away from the listserve, very busy, along with Dayna and

, as well as Yvette and Jodi Z., planning our Convention!

You will all be so thrilled with the program.....details to be

announced soon.

Just wanted to make a request! In the last year I have received a

few emails from new parents, who, at my suggestion, joined our

listserve. Some of them have commented that as a new parent it is

sometimes difficult to separate out info from chat, or basic info

from the rarer issues. (I know, I know, we have chatted about this

issue before! :-)). May I suggest a couple things:

1. Make sure subject lines include a very specific descriptor, so

even if, for example, you're updating news about your child, you

could say, " Update on Doe: Reflux " or " Jane Doe's news: IEPs

and School " . This will really help with new parents who may not know

your email addresses, not know your kids, and not know which emails

to go to first. Helps with Search too. Remember, Yahoo got rid of

the advanced search capability, so Search is really cumbersome. The

more detailed the subject lines, the better.

2. There are always such great responses to our newcomers, with

basic info. I know Ken, Jodi, Debbie, Jodie C. and MANY others have

really good " intro " letters to new parents. Ken, would it be

possible to have a section under files, or database,

labelled, " Welcome to RSS: Parents share basic info " . Or something

like that. I'm not saying to replace the email postings, but maybe th

moderator letter back to the new parent could point to those

sections.

3. , Dayna and I have often commented that our listserve

really is the muscle behind MAGIC RSS division!!!! I cannot imagine

not having this resource to send parents to...Its greatest strength

is that it is so active, and of course, like a busy neighborhood

party with lots and lots of people, there will be a multitude of

conversations. Let's just help the new parents who show up, and peek

in the door, know where to go first, where to hang up their coats,

introduce them to the neighbors, etc...!

Thanks everyone!

I'll send a separate email about a really neat tv program I saw this

week.

Katy

MAGIC RSS Division Co-Consultant

[Guest guest]

Hi Katy

I have to agree with you,somedays it is very difficult to get

through all the posts when there is alot of chat.

Could we all stick to RSS issues on the list serve and maybe take

chat private.

Jody

>

> Hi All,

> I've been away from the listserve, very busy, along with Dayna and

> , as well as Yvette and Jodi Z., planning our Convention!

> You will all be so thrilled with the program.....details to be

> announced soon.

>

> Just wanted to make a request! In the last year I have received a

> few emails from new parents, who, at my suggestion, joined our

> listserve. Some of them have commented that as a new parent it is

> sometimes difficult to separate out info from chat, or basic info

> from the rarer issues. (I know, I know, we have chatted about this

> issue before! :-)). May I suggest a couple things:

> 1. Make sure subject lines include a very specific descriptor, so

> even if, for example, you're updating news about your child, you

> could say, " Update on Doe: Reflux " or " Jane Doe's news:

IEPs

> and School " . This will really help with new parents who may not

know

> your email addresses, not know your kids, and not know which

emails

> to go to first. Helps with Search too. Remember, Yahoo got rid

of

> the advanced search capability, so Search is really cumbersome.

The

> more detailed the subject lines, the better.

>

> 2. There are always such great responses to our newcomers, with

> basic info. I know Ken, Jodi, Debbie, Jodie C. and MANY others

have

> really good " intro " letters to new parents. Ken, would it be

> possible to have a section under files, or database,

> labelled, " Welcome to RSS: Parents share basic info " . Or something

> like that. I'm not saying to replace the email postings, but maybe

th

> moderator letter back to the new parent could point to those

> sections.

>

> 3. , Dayna and I have often commented that our listserve

> really is the muscle behind MAGIC RSS division!!!! I cannot

imagine

> not having this resource to send parents to...Its greatest

strength

> is that it is so active, and of course, like a busy neighborhood

> party with lots and lots of people, there will be a multitude of

> conversations. Let's just help the new parents who show up, and

peek

> in the door, know where to go first, where to hang up their coats,

> introduce them to the neighbors, etc...!

>

> Thanks everyone!

> I'll send a separate email about a really neat tv program I saw

this

> week.

>

> Katy

> MAGIC RSS Division Co-Consultant

>

[Guest guest]

Katy,

I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This is

the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not doing

well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be quite

upset at that.

I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading in

our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people have

a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I just

cannot read them all.

HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

to make the request and/or handle the situation.

I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole RSS

adventure more real and personal.

I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

this.

Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

There are many times that I log on to read my mail and there may be over one

hundred emails. I sometimes do have to use the option of deleting if I have

little time to read them all. HOWEVER, I have learned so much about my

granddaughter, Devans, syndrome from the parents and grandparents who write

daily. I have also checked on some of the little sick guys and girls to see how

they are doing. This support group is a wonderful help to our family. Thank you

to all of you from all over the world for sharing your life with us!

Maggie - Devan RSS age 9 months, Tyler age 5 ( her very protective brother)

Re: Request regarding Subject Lines

Katy,

I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This is

the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not doing

well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be quite

upset at that.

I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading in

our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people have

a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I just

cannot read them all.

HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

to make the request and/or handle the situation.

I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole RSS

adventure more real and personal.

I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

this.

Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

Dear Jodi

This email has made me cry. I just have goose bumps up and down my spine.

I have been so upset all afternoon and have struggled since I got home from

work as to how to express my thoughts and feelings.

I can not say it any better than you have done. Thank you from the bottom of

my heart for being able to put into words exactly how I feel.

I have noticed that we have all been extra diligent in labelling our emails as

chat or in relation to someone. I am not sure how other people's computers are,

but if I were to add a line or two explanation to my subject line; it doesn't

show up on the emails. In fact most of the emails I get from the group now, the

subject line is half cut off and I can't read it all until I open the email, so

I don't see how adding more words would make anyone's life easier.

I was just talking to (she graciously sent me one of her glucometers

and it just arrived tonight and I wanted to thank her) and she was commenting on

how this group is unique for us RSS parents (and grandparents!!). If we have had

a bad night having to get up 4 times to do the feeding tubes or had a bad day

phoning insurance companies, NO ONE else in the world truly understands how

difficult that is because they don't have a child with RSS. They don't

understand how that one extra crumb on the floor can put us over the edge of an

already unbearable day because they don't have a child with RSS. HERE is the

only place in THE WORLD where I can go and read about other people and feel like

they truly care and UNDERSTAND where I am coming from. Other people will say " oh

but you should just be thankful Adam doesn't have something worse " . YES!! I know

that, but that doesn't make me feel any better at this moment when his teacher

is, yet again, yelling at me for something or other.

But the people here DO understand! And it's through our casual, joking moments

that I have developed some wonderful, lasting friendships that I just don't have

" in the real world " . said it well, she said she feels that she knows me

so well and yet she's never been to my house!!! You know, Jodi, I have met you

twice now, but ?? For pete's sake she has never seen a picture of me and

I have never seen a picture of her, but I would call her one of my closest and

dearest friends right now.

And for the record, and Jodi you know this as well, WE DO email privately in

this list. In fact we email ALL THE TIME privately. We often have long

conversations that we DO take off the list, but there are other times, when

things need to be said in a public forum. I agree with Jodi, if we did all these

emails privately, it would be ridiculous. I am dying to know how is doing

today after his surgery. I *could* email Jodi R off list, but I am sure there

are many of you that would like to know as well. It would make sense for Jodi to

post one message to all of us. Ah, the list serve, just what it is meant for.

The other point you made that needs to be validated, in due respect, is that

this is not a MAGIC list serve and Ken is the moderator and the man who decides

what is and what is not acceptable. Ken has done a superb job as moderator, and

I have had to be on the receiving end of one of his PRIVATE emails telling me to

" be careful " on more than one occasion. But he has always managed those

difficult emails (at least to me ) with grace and style!

Again, Jodi, I can't tell you how moved I was by your email. You said

perfectly, just perfectly, everything I have been feeling today and was not able

to express as eloquently as you did.

Thanks friend!!

Debby

Jodi Zwain wrote:

Katy,

I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This is

the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not doing

well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be quite

upset at that.

I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading in

our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people have

a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I just

cannot read them all.

HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

to make the request and/or handle the situation.

I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole RSS

adventure more real and personal.

I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

this.

Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

Hey Katy,

I have to say that I agree with you. It would be MOST helpful if everyone

would make sure the subject line of their post matches what they are

discussing. I've tried to work through the archives and it's basically a

nightmare! That causes a LOT of repeat questions, and answers here on the

list serve. Don't get me wrong, repeat info IS NOT bad, but I think it would

be helpful if new parents (especially the ones that are too shy to just jump

in) could use the archives to find the info they're looking for, and then

ask their questions.

As far as the " CHAT " emails go, I usually scan what's written, and delete

what doesn't pertain to me, or an RSS subject. Again though, it is difficult

when you have a subject line that lists an RSS subject, and then the body of

the post doesn't match the subject line at all.

Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 4 yrs old, 28# 10.6oz, 35 " , G-Tube, GHT)

[Guest guest]

Maggie thank you for taking the time to post this message. It is very much

appreciated. I am so glad that you find the list serve so beneficial to you and

your family!!

Debby

Re: Request regarding Subject Lines

Katy,

I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This is

the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not doing

well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be quite

upset at that.

I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading in

our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people have

a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I just

cannot read them all.

HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

to make the request and/or handle the situation.

I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole RSS

adventure more real and personal.

I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

this.

Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

Pat - well written and good point.

- H

>

> Hey Katy,

>

> I have to say that I agree with you. It would be MOST helpful if

everyone

> would make sure the subject line of their post matches what they

are

> discussing. I've tried to work through the archives and it's

basically a

> nightmare! That causes a LOT of repeat questions, and answers here

on the

> list serve. Don't get me wrong, repeat info IS NOT bad, but I

think it would

> be helpful if new parents (especially the ones that are too shy to

just jump

> in) could use the archives to find the info they're looking for,

and then

> ask their questions.

>

> As far as the " CHAT " emails go, I usually scan what's written, and

delete

> what doesn't pertain to me, or an RSS subject. Again though, it is

difficult

> when you have a subject line that lists an RSS subject, and then

the body of

> the post doesn't match the subject line at all.

>

> Pat (g-ma to , RSS, 4 yrs old, 28# 10.6oz, 35 " , G-Tube, GHT)

>

[Guest guest]

Jodi - thank you for this post. I have my own comments which I will

share shortly. Great comments.

- H

>

> Katy,

>

> I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

> you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

> members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This

is

> the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not

doing

> well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

> educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

> these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would

not

> have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be

quite

> upset at that.

>

> I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading

in

> our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

> such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people

have

> a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I

just

> cannot read them all.

>

> HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

> This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

> and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

> complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

> to make the request and/or handle the situation.

>

> I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

> updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole

RSS

> adventure more real and personal.

>

> I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

> this.

>

> Jodi Z

>

[Guest guest]

I am very torn about how to approach this subject. As Pat said, due to poor

subject headers, going thru the archives is a nightmare. SO TRUE! As Jodi

said, this list is not moderated by MAGIC and so folks shouldn't complain to

Katy. Maybe not, maybe they should contact Ken, if they know who he is.

This is where I get just a little concerned. I think that there is not one

person on this listserve that would want a new member to miss out on all

there is available to offer and receive thru this amazing group. We all

know it feels to find this group for the first time and have that feeling of

friendship in a VERY short period of time with people you've never even

met!! Whether or not the group is moderated by MAGIC or has ANYTHING to do

with MAGIC per say, (and I don't think it should!), this listserve is a

TERRIFIC resource for RSS families. Many of those families are directed her

by MAGIC because it is SO HELPFUL to new families!! I think it would be a

shame for a new family to miss out on becoming part of our family because

they don't see any information they think might be helpful due to poor

subject heading. The value of the chatting and the day to day is ENORMOUS.

But, you don't know that the first visit! It seems like such a small

concession to " work on " subject headers compared to the value of reaching

and helping as many families as possible. We all have delete buttons, but

sometimes in a digest, it can be completely filled with chat, but the

subjects indicate something different. For the newcomer this might seem as

though that is all we do (many groups do just that). The value of the

chatting is learned after the initial phase most of the time, especially if

someone is shy.

I encourage everyone to try to do better on subject headings not because I

am now affiliated with MAGIC but as a parent of a child with RSS. Without

MAGIC Alyssa would not be as healthy as she is today. But, without this

listserve.. . . neither would I. I want that for every family of a child

with RSS. This is too great of a group for people to miss out on.

Done. :-)

Dayna

[Guest guest]

Jodi,

Oh my gosh! If only I could have put that into as great of words as

you did! Thank you so much for what you wrote. It is sooo true. I

love this list. I love everything about it. I learn so much from

the RSS standpoint, but I also learn that there are really

compassionate people out there that genuinely CARE about me and my

son! I, too, have built FABULOUS friendships as a result of this

list. Do I have the time everyday to get on here and read the

posts??? Heck no? But, when I have a spare few minutes I try very

hard to read what is going on. Why? Because I care about all of

these people. WHY? Because I have read about their children and I

have read about what they are dealing with, what may lie ahead, and

of course I can sympathise sine I have an RSS child, and it makes me

feel some sort of attachment to them. You have to be a part of

something to BE A PART OF SOMETHING. It may be just me, but I come

on here for support, but I also come on here to give support. And, I

may do that by saying something that doesn't exactly relate to RSS.

And, Jodi, I agree with you, that it would be way too cumbersome to

have to email everyone privately!

Okay, so yes, we want new parents to feel welcome. And, we will do

what we can to make that happen. I feel that we are always very

inviting and do a wonderful job at welcoming people when we " see " new

faces. But, maybe there should be a disclaimer somewhere saying that

talk isn't ALWAYS RSS/SGA related. We say " Welcome home " . We say

that for a reason. And, that is because when you are at home, you

can talk about ANYTHING because you feel SAFE! And, that is waht

this place is. A safe, warm, loving, and inviting place....a HOME!

Jodi R.

's mommy

P.S. is still doing very well and he sleeps with on eye

open! ;o) I love you alllllllllll!

>

> Katy,

>

> I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

> you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

> members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This

is

> the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not

doing

> well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

> educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

> these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

> have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be

quite

> upset at that.

>

> I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading

in

> our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

> such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people

have

> a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I

just

> cannot read them all.

>

> HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

> This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

> and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

> complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

> to make the request and/or handle the situation.

>

> I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

> updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole

RSS

> adventure more real and personal.

>

> I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

> this.

>

> Jodi Z

>

[Guest guest]

Very well said Jodi. I could not of said it any better. I also feel the same way

you do. Even thou i have never met any of you i feel like you are like family to

me, Hence the phrase " WELCOME HOME " Thanks Jodi

Hugs

Sheldon

Re: Request regarding Subject Lines

Katy,

I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This is

the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not doing

well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be quite

upset at that.

I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading in

our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people have

a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I just

cannot read them all.

HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

to make the request and/or handle the situation.

I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole RSS

adventure more real and personal.

I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

this.

Jodi Z

[Guest guest]

OK, honesty continues. I see both sides as well. You are all my

friends, and this listserve has been invaluable. However, I will

admit that I rarely check the listserve anymore because there is so

much " chat " that I find it difficult to open all the emails to find

questions from parents versus the other stuff. Now, understand

that " chat " is a VALUABLE thing. It is support, and love and

friendship. And we all need that incredibly!!!!

However, let me try an example. Person A writes about having a

horrible night. Person B responds with " Jane Doe, I am so sorry you

had such a bad night!!! I wish I had the experience to give you

advice, but just know that I am there for you. "

To me, the above email should NOT be posted on the listserve. It is

chat, it is supportive and loving, but the others on the listserve

do not need to read it. It should be sent to the person privately.

If Person B responded with information that was valuable to another

person, e.g., " Jane Doe, what a bad night you had! Have you tried

using XXXX?? that really helped my son " . When you hit reply within

Yahoo, you can then click the down arrow to the right of the TO:

line, and change the address from RSS-Support to the actual sender

of the original email.

I, like Katy, have gotten so many emails from parents who say that

they remain members of the listserve, but just don't read it

anymore. The fact is that we have what, 400+ members? How many do

we hear from?

When my son was recently diagnosed with a psychological issue, I

went to Yahoo groups and joined more than 8 different groups. It

was there that I saw firsthand what it was like to be a " newby. "

One listserve had tons of old established friends writing back and

forth. But I wanted IMMEDIATE info and answers. Bagged that one

right away. ANother one, oh man, the issues that they were posting

about were SOOO serious compared to my son's, I truly was turned

off. I thought there is no way I can learn anything. The good

news, however, is that I posted a question about my more " mild " son,

and got a flurry of private emails from other parents with mild

kids. Turns out that the parents of the more severely impaired

children were the ones posting more. Makes sense, they had more

issues and needed more daily support. The problem is that for me,

the parent of the mild kid, if I hadn't posted, I would have never

stayed with that group. It has now turned out to be a great support

for me.

So.... the bottom line is that when a parent faces a new RSS

diagnosis, and checks internet, they find US. We want them to find

correct information, as well as support. We don't want them to be

so overwhelmed with 40 emails a day that they don't say on line to

get the support they need. So how do we get to that point, while

continuing to offer support to all of our existing members?

I hope I am not angering anyone. I just think that we all need to

be more vigilant about our replies. First of all, if your reply is

one of support to that person, but does not contain specific advice

that another family would need, then I say, DO NOT POST. Hit Reply,

change the TO person and send it to the specific person.

If you are sending an email to everyone, but it is more chat then a

question or advice (and personally, I don't think posting an update

on one's child is " chat " , that would be a real posting) -- I am

thinking more along the lines of, gosh, I am trying to come up with

something. " Hi all of you on the East coast -- you are in our

thoughts as that winter storm slams you all! " That would be CHAT.

Just my thoughts. I commend Katy for bringing up this very

difficult subject. I don't think Katy in any way meant, as some

people responded, that this listserve has to cater to those from

MAGIC. We are all RSS parents and we need to remember what it was

like to be that first time parent. And remember that the listserve

has to meet the needs of a very broad based group of families, more

than 400 of us! Working parents, stay at home parents, RSS /SGA

kids with many issues, some with minimal issues, etc.

We are all one family. With a family as large as ours, we have

surely learned that it is impossible to things personally, and we

have to continue to work to find ways that meet the needs of as many

of us as possible.

I love all of you guys!!!!

>

> I am very torn about how to approach this subject. As Pat said,

due to poor

> subject headers, going thru the archives is a nightmare. SO TRUE!

As Jodi

> said, this list is not moderated by MAGIC and so folks shouldn't

complain to

> Katy. Maybe not, maybe they should contact Ken, if they know who

he is.

>

>

>

> This is where I get just a little concerned. I think that there

is not one

> person on this listserve that would want a new member to miss out

on all

> there is available to offer and receive thru this amazing group.

We all

> know it feels to find this group for the first time and have that

feeling of

> friendship in a VERY short period of time with people you've never

even

> met!! Whether or not the group is moderated by MAGIC or has

ANYTHING to do

> with MAGIC per say, (and I don't think it should!), this listserve

is a

> TERRIFIC resource for RSS families. Many of those families are

directed her

> by MAGIC because it is SO HELPFUL to new families!! I think it

would be a

> shame for a new family to miss out on becoming part of our family

because

> they don't see any information they think might be helpful due to

poor

> subject heading. The value of the chatting and the day to day is

ENORMOUS.

> But, you don't know that the first visit! It seems like such a

small

> concession to " work on " subject headers compared to the value of

reaching

> and helping as many families as possible. We all have delete

buttons, but

> sometimes in a digest, it can be completely filled with chat, but

the

> subjects indicate something different. For the newcomer this

might seem as

> though that is all we do (many groups do just that). The value of

the

> chatting is learned after the initial phase most of the time,

especially if

> someone is shy.

>

>

>

> I encourage everyone to try to do better on subject headings not

because I

> am now affiliated with MAGIC but as a parent of a child with RSS.

Without

> MAGIC Alyssa would not be as healthy as she is today. But,

without this

> listserve.. . . neither would I. I want that for every family of

a child

> with RSS. This is too great of a group for people to miss out on.

>

>

>

> Done. :-)

>

>

>

> Dayna

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> OK, honesty continues. I see both sides as well. You are all my

> friends, and this listserve has been invaluable. However, I will

> admit that I rarely check the listserve anymore because there is so

> much " chat " that I find it difficult to open all the emails to find

> questions from parents versus the other stuff. Now, understand

> that " chat " is a VALUABLE thing. It is support, and love and

> friendship. And we all need that incredibly!!!!

One thing you might want to consider is using the group on line. I

don't get the emails. Far too many to keep up with. Reading it on

line is quick. I can quickly and easily skip those I don't want to

read.

I'm on several yahoo groups and there is only one that I use with

email, since it is only occasionally used by members (it's an esoteric

needlework group). I would go nuts getting emails.

Dianne - Ian's grandmother

[Guest guest]

hi,

i am sorry to see we are having a problem with the way people preseve the

listserever and how we share chat medical issuess and just day or good days.

this all part of why i turly love this place and all the people on it they all

undrestand what a day to day life this is and i need to be supported and also i

feel the needto support people on here again i also like the day to day share of

life and all often i find the chat between people will shade lite of other thing

in my life as well i hope it is all worked out and does not change the way we

all view and used this home of our

cara mom to jacob

Jodi Zwain wrote:

Katy,

I am afraid that I have to politely and respectfully disagree with

you. This listserve and the members of it are more than just

members. Many of them have become my friends and lifeline. This is

the only place where I can post that Max is doing well, or not doing

well, where I can support those who need it, where I can help

educate people or just cheer them up. If I were to have to email

these people separately, it would be just a nightmare! I would not

have the relationships that I have with so many and I would be quite

upset at that.

I do agree that some of us are lax about using the " chat " heading in

our posts. I know it is a pain for those who receive digests and

such. I can try to do better with that. But those same people have

a delete button. I do that when there are too many posts and I just

cannot read them all.

HOWEVER, for people to complain to you is really not appropriate.

This listserve is not a MAGIC listserve. It is here because of

and Ken as our moderator. If people have a request or

complaint, they should be referred to Ken and he should be the one

to make the request and/or handle the situation.

I, for one, enjoy reading the how are yous, the where is, the

updates, the I had a lousy day, etc. posts. It makes this whole RSS

adventure more real and personal.

I would be very interested to read what others have to say about

this.

Jodi Z