Whats up w/ this board?

IN MY OPINION... It's hard to be supportive when you feel like you're being attacked, whether or not you are the SPECIFIC person under criticism. The other day, I took serious offense to what one poster (who apparently left the board) said. I responded. In my opinion, no one has a right to judge others, particularly when it comes to this surgery. We're all different. Nothing angers me more than someone attacking another person because we have a difficult time using our tools as prescribed, particularly when that person has not gone through the whole process. It's like a skinny person telling a fat person to "just stop eating" when the skinny person has never dieted in their life. I do my best to give people information that I've discovered through my experiences, my reading, and the stories I've heard from others. I am in no way an expert, but I do have a perspective on things. I am not a fan of "hardball tactics" as one poster called it, and I am not a fan of the "holier-than-thou" instructions that another poster likes to give. I am straightforward, and yes, sometimes I'm a little raw when I post, especially when I am angry. This IS a place of support, but not all threads are looking for support...sometimes they are looking to criticize. And when you criticize a group that includes me, I'm going to fire back. I'd rather not be put on the defensive, but as a human, I react to emotions. This is my straightforward, one-time only, response to this entire situation. I don't know if anything else happened after I posted, but I feel like I am being made a part of the "negative" responses. Which I will admit to, because I even said "I'm sorry that I'm being so hateful about this..." Gotta love those disclaimers! Hopefully this will once again become a place where people can ask their questions or post their successes, without unsolicited attacks or advice. Pamela -132

Wayne, I have also noticed a decrease in activity in our Board. I miss our regular OH MO Board family members that aren't as active and have decided again posting anymore. We are a strong, connected group and I want to protect that for all of us that feel that with each other. OH and our MO Board is about support and encouragement. I don't want to be surrounded by "yes" people, however, presentation of information is key. We have been kicked around, been exposed to insensitive people and their comments, and generally treated as "less than". We are at different places within ourselves and in our weight loss surgery journey. No one deserves to be treated with condescension or as if there is something wrong with them if they don't agree or follow a certain view or opinion. OH and our Board has always been a safe place and must return to that for us. I also come here for encouragement, inspiration and support. I value and promote OH, and our MO Board as a daily support group. I do not take OH, our Board or the wonderful friends I've made here for granted. I don't need or desire tough love. Tough love is utilized with parent/child type of dynamics and a differing level relationship. We are peers, friends with the commonality of weight loss surgery, morbid obesity, encouragement for following a healthy lifestyle path and replacment of healthy habits along with a desire for support. There are several ways to say the same thing. I choose a supportive and caring environment. I sincerely hope that we can come together and move forward in creating a strong, supportive Board that doesn't have the dark cloud of negativity hanging over it. My vote is that we step out and continue the positive connections that we have made with each other and make this Board how we want/need it to be. I encourage others on our Board to do the same thing. Wayne, thanks for caring enough to steer our Board back to a positive and supportive place. I share and support your concern and care for our OH friends on our Board. Cathy ObesityHelp Support Group Specialist