This area of the website is available so that you can have contact with another person with diabetes in a more direct and private manner than the discussion forum, sort of like a pen pal. In the past we provided a matching service for this, our email buddies programme. Due to difficulties in matching and following people up, we have decided to change the way we provide this service for the time being.
Instead there are now a number of ways you can find a "buddy"
1) Personal Messaging
If you are a member of our discussion forum, you can send a personal message (pm) to someone who seems to have a similar story to you, someone you might like to approach re making contact "off the board". We suggest you introduce yourself and let them know their post struck a chord in some way with you. You can then ask if they are interested in having some personal emails with you, either via the forum messaging system, or via private emails. If you decide to do this, it is important that you do not "hassle" anyone with lots of emails if they are not interested in this method of communication. Remember these emails are not moderated, so you need to respect each other.
2) Make friends at the forum
If you post at the forum and see someone there you feel a connection with, you can of course post replies to their posts and carry on some conversations via your posts at the forum. You might find this then turns into a friendship where you begin emailing or personal messaging each other.
3) Make a friend at the chat rooms and blog
One reason for changing the buddy system is the fact that we now have the chat and blog area of the site. Once registered you can meet up with people in the main chat room "The lounge". You can take your chances on seeing who is around, or make times with people via the forum, or personally. The chat and blog also give you the option to "request a friendship" with another member. If you read a blog,and want to have more contact with the writer, you can request their friendship and see if they respond. We encourage you to use this service and to start your own blog. It is a great way to make connections and shar experiences.
We also have a chat room for parents and one for teens.If interested in joining these groups you can drop us a line and we will arrange a password if appropriate for you to join that group. In these rooms people can make connections with those in the same boat as them.
4) Weight Matters programme'
The Weight Matters programme is about to start. People who are enrolled in this programme wil be matched with a buddy from the group, a "weight matters" buddy. We will arrange this when the programme starts. Please see thne Weight Matters page Diabetes Counselling - Weight Matters for more information.
Respecting other members
As with the Discussion Forum, it is expected that people will respect each other's thoughts and feelings and that this service is not abused in any way. However, please be aware that if you enter into a "buddy" relationship with someone, "Diabetes Counselling Online Inc " takes no responsibility for the ongoing contact between you and your buddy and it is up to you how often and how long you continue to email each other.
Please feel free to provide feedback either via email or via the discussion forum, as to how the service is working for you.
