Widows & Widowers Support Group

This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.

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Death & Dying
/ Widows & Widowers Support Group

Hints for New DS Members

doyew
doyew
This is just a hint for new members - to help the "old members" reach out to you. Several times I have attempted to welcome a new person, and the message appears: "This person has not confirmed their e-mail or account" So if you want to communicate with the rest of us, complete your registration so this can happen. Also helpful is giving a little information about yourself on your profile. It's easier for me to reach out to someone if I know how long they've been widowed perhaps another fact or 2. Seeing only "Female, Timbuctoo, member since yesterday" might not get too many responses at first.

Just know, new members, that this is a good place to find support. Most people do give the necessary information. If you haven't received any communication, perhaps that e-mail needs to be confirmed. Wishing you Peace.
deleted_user
deleted_user
This site was easy to walk through, not requiring rocket science. I wonder if people are reluctant to give too much info. I was at first because I didn't want pity. I wanted just what I got: people that give me advice and encouragement.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
"This person has not confirmed their e-mail or account"

I greet all the new joiners to Bipolar. I get that often. As the confirmation e-mail comes out automatically quickly I take the view that they have usually changed their minds. I used to check back a few days later and usually the accounts were still not confirmed.

As for not filling out profiles, it's an individual thing but most people do so and I think most peole "get" that it will make them more easily accepted..so I think it is usually a conscious decision not to disclose. Again, a lot of those people then go on not to participate.
Community Leadercliffskat
cliffskat
I would like to add that you should put just enough info in your profile but not too much. I caution against putting real names and e-mail addresses, as well as identity-type info about yourself, your spouse, or your children in your profile. I have general info about myself and my family and how I became a widow. I don't use too many specifics as a precaution against identity theft.

I also have my profile set to "DS Members Only" so that it doesn't show up on the search engines like Google. I do not lock my profile to "private" because it makes it harder for other DS members to know how I came to be here, request I be their friend, send hugs, send messages, etc. I DO lock my journal entries and my photos to "Friends Only" as some of my journal entries have more personal info in them and my photos include my kids. Some things I am not prepared to share with anyone I don't know fairly well.

I hope this helps. Love and Hugs, Martha
deleted_user
deleted_user
Great advice Martha! Thanks!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I found it difficult to create a profile without giving info. I just don't say things like the name of the place I work at or last name. Never can be too careful. Who knows what kinds of hackers might be out there.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
There is a lot of useful info here, it's a group set up by one of the other CLs.

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/new-to-ds
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