New and Improved TMA Message Forum
Jim Lubin and Sandy

I'm writing this article for Jim, because he's too busy doing the important work of the TMA to be spending time writing an article for the newsletter. As I have noted in the past, Jim is constantly on the hunt for new ways for all of us to be communicating with each other and sharing information. I know he takes breaks to eat and sleep, because I've seen him eating and sleeping. And he does watch a lot of movies. Otherwise, Jim's working. And his work has improved the quality of life for all of us in the TM community.

Our Information Technology Director has discovered a new bulletin board system. The bulletin board software is produced, released and is copyrighted by phpBB Group. It is made available under the GNU General Public License. The system is easy to use, it looks great, and it has some really wonderful features. You can get to the bulletin board by clicking on the link Message Forums from the main page of our web site or by going to:

http://www.myelitis.org/forum/

The system includes a very detailed and descriptive index of topics which explain how to use the bulletin board. The topics are listed under frequently asked questions or FAQs. There is a registration process which allows access to more sophisticated bulletin board features, including private messaging and emailing to fellow users. You can use the forum without registering, if all you are going to do is read and post messages.

Jim is the TMA Forum Administrator; he controls the bulletin board operation. Jim also serves as the moderator for most of the forums, although in the future, we are going to want other people to take responsibility for different topical sections of the bulletin board. Moderators are individuals (or groups of individuals) whose job it is to look after the running of the forums from day to day.

The message forum represents an incredible potential for facilitating communication and the sharing of information on a wide variety of subjects. Jim has established a really comprehensive index of topics for the TMA message forum. The topics reflect Jim's thorough understanding of the issues in our community, his desire to assist people in finding answers to their questions, as well as providing an outlet for their need to share their experiences.

Jim has set up forums which cover all of the symptom categories that are possible from all of the neuroimmunologic conditions. There is a forum to discuss research. For parents who are seeking a vehicle to share ideas about their children's experiences with TM, there is a forum for children with TM. There is a separate forum for parents and caregivers.

There is a forum for Social Security and Insurance Issues. Cossy Hough will be regularly checking in on this site to respond to posted messages and to offer advice.

Jim has also set up a separate message forum for recurrent TM, ADEM, Recurrent Optic Neuritis and Devics. The message forums are a great way for people with these conditions in our membership to find each other and to share information.

There is a message forum for Pregnancy and Delivery Issues with TM. Paula Lazzeri will be regularly checking in on this board to respond to questions. We have a group of women who have experience with pregnancy and delivery with TM. We also have women in our community who have been parents of infants and young children while having TM. We would strongly encourage you to check in on this message forum. There are women who regularly seek advice about pregnancy, delivery and raising children with TM, and you have an important perspective and experiences that you can share.

The range of message forum topics is extensive. Information may be shared on everything from going back to work with TM to offering assistance for and announcing fundraising events for the TMA.

The message forum can also serve as an important tool for the state and country support groups. Jim has a separate message forum set up for each of the currently established support groups. Support group leaders can encourage their members to regularly check these forums; it is a great way to communicate with your members. You can share information on everything from local resources to announcements of meetings or fundraising events. For those of you who do not have a support group in your area, Jim has set up forums which cover different geographic regions.

The message forum has a search capability. As with the transverse myelitis internet club which also has a search function, the forums can become an important archive of information on a wide variety of subjects.

The last time I checked in, there were 82 registered users in The Transverse Myelitis Association Forum. The value of this message forum will be commensurate with the numbers of people who participate and the quality of information that is posted. We would encourage all of you with a computer and internet access to get involved. Everyone will have experiences and information to share and that information could dramatically improve the quality of life for someone who desperately needs an answer. We are in great need of information about the most complicated issues and the most basic issues. You have become experts on everything from how to travel to where to find programs that will assist people in purchasing a van with a lift. The message forums provide a great way to share your expert knowledge with people who want to learn from you.

It is very important to keep in mind while participating in this message forum that it is not a private forum; it can be accessed by anyone. You should never post personal information that you would not be comfortable sharing with others.

Thanks, Jim, for once again finding a great way for us to communicate with each other. You have found such wonderful ways for us to transform our global community into a very intimate and friendly neighborhood.