[Kimberly]

#1059825

Hi all – we have received multiple complaints in the last few days regarding abuse of the forum’s private messaging (PM) system.

The PM system is *not* intended to allow users to bypass the forum’s restrictions on giving medical advice, to bully others into selecting one treatment option over the others, or to send SPAM.

If you have received one or more inappropriate PMs via this forum, first, my apologies. Although we currently do not have reporting or blocking functionality on our PM system, abusive PMs may be forwarded to info@gdatf.org for review in one of the following ways:

1. If you have “Print to PDF” capability on your computer, right-click somewhere in the PM and select “Print”. When the print screen pops up, select the appropriate option. (On my computer, it’s “Save to PDF”). Send the PDF document as an e-mail attachment.

2. Open the PM and select the “Print Screen” button on your keyboard. Open a word processing document and paste the screen print into the document. (Hold down CTRL and hit the V key). The screen print will only capture what you can see on your screen, so if you have to scroll down to see the rest of the PM, you will need to cut & paste multiple screen prints in order for the entire message to be reviewed. Save the word processing document and send as an attachment.

3. Cut & Paste the text of the PM directly into an e-mail message. (This is the least effective method, as it does not allow 100% verification of the sender’s username).

Complaints of abuse will be taken very seriously, and violators may be warned, suspended, or banned.

[Kimberly]

#1178002

*bumping*

[mslux]

#1178003

Kimberly,

I have serious concerns at this stage about your suitability as a moderator on this forum and the behaviour you have displayed towards anyone you perceive to be challenging your authority. It has nothing to do with people not understanding moderation or mis-posting. No one has displayed harassing or bullying behaviour on the threads but you. Likewise I seriously question the motivation behind this ‘message abuse’ post. I think there are many using this forum who are afraid of speaking up as they have seen how badly it has gone for others. The tone of this post is totally inappropriate for a foundation that is there to support a client population whose condition is understood to be negatively impacted by stress. Everyone here is trying their best.

It is vital that a moderator that facilitates a forum for vulnerable people seeking wellness displays good conflict resolution skills, is non reactive, is fair and does not personalise disagreements. They also should avoid polarising posters in a community into a for/against dynamic.
I have not seen this to be the case with how you have handled things over the past week. It is very upsetting to see.

Also, shutting threads down, editing posts unnecessarily, inferring people are acting with mal intent are all totally unnecessary. Not to mention the fact that you routinely state that there is no research available that you know of on (a) or (b). Long term disability following Graves treatment and The Coeliac/Graves connection being just two recent examples. Also no one moderator should have so much control over a patient support resource.

Is there a telephone number that I can call from Europe to speak to someone on the board of the foundation? The number posted is US only I think.

You can post the contact details here or PM me, whichever you prefer.

Regards,
Ms Lux.

[brondack]

#1178004

Whoa !!! Settle down !

I have been following this forum for about a year – first when my daughter was struggling with all the issues with Graves and then I became a registered member when I was diagnosed with it as well.

While I have not made many posts, I read almost every one. In my experience, I have NEVER had anything but utmost respect for Kimberly in her role as facilitator. There have been numerous times when I know I would have reacted negatively (and almost wanted to) to some posts, but somehow Kimberly always keeps her cool.

In my opinion, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with Kimberly’s post about the abuse of the PM system. For one thing , the post was prompted by complaints from people who received these inappropriate PM’s. Secondly, Kimberly responded in a very professional manner and clearly stated the rules that everyone is expected to follow.

[mslux]

#1178005

I couldn’t disagree more and for those reasons I feel it needs to be addressed.

[AzGravesGuy]

#1178006

I received an irrational, misinformed PM from a member shortly after I joined this forum. I am glad there is now a reporting system in place.

As for bullying on the threads themselves, I have never encountered someone with such a blatant chip on their shoulder as you Ms Lux. In my opinion, your overall dischord in this forum has been a disappointing addition to this community.

If anyone has been paternalistic, antagonistic, or immature, it is you.

Are you going to sue me for that comment? Good luck finding a lawyer to take your case, let alone a judge to hear something so frivolous as the litigious assertions you have made thus far in this anonymous forum.

I belong to a few other forums which I will not name and there seems to be a pattern of people with similar names as yours spreading their misery. I cannot imagine it is more than coincidence, but it certainly raises a red flag. Anyone that can Google can see it.

GDATF as I know it is about POSITIVE empowerment of the patient through reputable information and a supportive atmosphere. Your aggressive tone and irrationality have cast a shadow on this healing environment.

As it has been suggested to you previously, if this forum does not meet your needs, and obviously it does not, then please move along. To continue to post negative comments about the clear guidelines and to attack moderators here, with so many other forum options available on the web makes me question your motive as an individual.

Originally you were offended because it was suggested that you consider seeking a second opinion for an issue that may or may not be in the scope of endocrinology. Now it has snowballed into a personal attack on a moderator and the forum guidelines. To see this unfold is not only a confusing progression, but lends less and less credibility to anything you post.

Whatever the problem is, I wish you the best of luck and hope you find a forum that suits your needs.

[mslux]

#1178007

I am only a member of one other forum and that is Living with Graves Disease.
I will include your feedback for the board to review along with all of the correspondence to date. Cyber bullying is a serious issue and one that no medical foundation should take lightly.

[vanillasky]

#1178008

I don’t like to get involved with these sort of debates, but I have to chime in and say that I think Kimberly does a fine job here.

She goes beyond the realms of helping people with her responses and information. I don’t see any problems at all with her.

Any time I’ve had a question, she has ALWAYS been there to help me. And yes, I belonged to another group years ago when I was first diagnosed with Hashimotos and I found them to be “clicky.” This is not the case here.

She has Graves’ herself so she UNDERSTANDS exactly what we are going through. I can’t find a better person for the job. She even answers my PM’s in her busy routine.

please don’t dump on Kimberly!

[Kimberly]

#1178009

Ms. Lux – As I said in a previous thread, I have been extremely patient with your posts up to this point, but that patience has run out.

Allow me to repeat what was posted in the previous thread:

As I have mentioned previously, I have initiated a review of this forum’s guidelines with the GDATF’s Board of Directors. If anyone has input regarding these guidelines, please communicate your suggestions via one of the following formats:

GDATF
P.O. Box 2793
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

Fax: 877-643-3123

E-Mail: info@gdatf.org

There are many formats to choose from in terms of online discussion boards. All of them have advantages and disadvantages. Anyone who is unhappy with this forum’s guidelines has two choices:

1. If you feel that the benefit you are getting from the forum outweighs the fact that you dislike the format, then by all means, please stay and participate in *constructive* discussion.

2. If you feel that the benefits do *not* outweigh the fact that you are unhappy with the format, then by all means, please feel free to leave and participate elsewhere.

For those who have complaints regarding the guidelines surrounding this board or my actions as a facilitator, please use the above contacts provided. To my knowledge, there is not an option to call the 877-643-3123 number (which is both phone and fax) outside the U.S., although you might be able to do so with a cell phone versus a land line. If our Board of Directors feels that your complaints are valid, changes will be made.

[size 32]ANY further derogatory forum posts regarding the Board’s guidelines or me personally will be deleted, and the poster subject to a 10-day suspension of privileges.[/size]

This thread is now closed.

[Author]

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