IBS Self Help Group - You Don't Have to Cope Alone
IBS Support Group Newsletter
February 2002
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IBS Self Help Group - You Don't Have to Cope Alone | |
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IBS Support Group Newsletter February 2002 |
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IN THIS ISSUE SPOTLIGHT
NEWS LINKS
ONGOING
SPONSORED LINK
2002 MARKS OUR 15TH YEAR! As the calendar swung into a New Year, it too was a New Year and a milestone for the IBS Self Help Group. In 1987, at 26 years old, after suffering with IBS for 9 years, I began attending monthly meetings of a newly formed IBS Group in Toronto. In 1994, I created a small website in my personal internet account which described Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I listed the few books and drugs used for the illness. At the beginning of 1995, 200 members had joined the IBS internet group. In May of 1995, I created the website http://www.ibsgroup.org. The IBS Self Help Group, as it's known today, was born. As the website grew, I found that people were very concerned about the loneliness the illness imposed, as well as the symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. I heard from so many people who found reassurance in simply knowing that there were other people out there who felt the same way they do. They wanted validation that IBS is a real illness. Some of the people I heard from were completely house-bound and were hoping to gain confidence that they could overcome the illness. As a result of these numerous conversations with fellow sufferers, I started an IBS bulletin board on the website, so that individuals could share their concerns and knowledge with others. In the fall of 2000, I established the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association. This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping everyone who suffers from IBS through patient support groups, treatment, accurate information and education. I intend to establish IBS Self Help Groups initially across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, so that individuals who are suffering from this disorder can have face-to-face contact with each other. http://www.ibsassociation.org The IBS Self Help Group currently has in excess of 10,000 registered members from across the world. The IBSgroup.org website now receives over 4 million visitor hits per month. I receive one message after the other from new IBS sufferers around the globe looking for answers to their problems. I try to tell them all, that I know what they are going through and although there may not be an answer that will cure them, it's encouraging to know that research is being performed which might one day determine the cause of IBS. With a cause - a cure, or a method to cope is sure to be found. As for my own IBS, I recently participated in a presentation at a gastrointestinal conference discussing IBS. I thought to myself that although I am here taking notes and asking questions for the IBS Self Help Group, I was really here for myself. I do want to live a "normal" life. I want to get better and I am incredibly motivated to do whatever it takes to get there. Congratulations everyone on achieving 15 years. I could not have done it without you. Jeffrey Roberts, President & Founder IBS Self Help Group ibs@ibsgroup.org http://www.ibsgroup.orgOur 10,000th Member Joins on January 16, 2002! On January 16, 2002 the IBS Self Help Group added our 10,000th on-line member. This is quite an achievement for us. We are a well respected and represented group in the IBS Research and Patient Community thanks to all of you. To celebrate the 10,000th member we ran a contest for existing members. Debbie A. was the member who guessed the date of January 16, 2002 as to when we would reach 10,000 members. Debbie A. received a copy of Heather Van Vorous' new book: The First Year--IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1569245479/irritablbowelsyn/ Well done everyone and thank you for contributing to the success. Congrats again Debbie A.! Lots of Changes on the IBS Group Bulletin Board In the fall the IBS Self Help Group Bulletin Board was re-launched with a clearer layout with even more forums for in-depth discussion.The bulletin board now has these categories/forums for reading or posting:
Along with more forums, members can now send Private Messages to another Member from within the Bulletin Board. Shortly, members will know who is on-line at the same time as themselves. Look for "Who's On-Line" on the Bulletin Board in mid-February. An integrated Chat Room has been established on the IBS Self Help Group website which uses your Bulletin Board username and password. http://www.ibsgroup.org/main/chat.html If you have forgotten your username or password for the Bulletin Board you may request it here: http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=lost_password There's more than just a Bulletin Board at IBSgroup.org When was the last time you ventured outside of the Bulletin Board on the IBS Self Help Group (http://www.ibsgroup.org) website? The navigation bar at the top and bottom of each screen is provided to aid in providing information without you having to search for it. All the information is current and accurate. Along with these popular pages....
We have recently added....
Coming soon....
Donations, Membership and Sponsors Consider making a donation to the IBS Self Help Group to support our efforts. Donations to the IBS Self Help Group help offset the internet fees for the website, administration expenses, the cost of mailings to individuals, and the cost to attend industry events. A suggested annual donation of $25 would help cover costs but a donation in any amount would be appreciated, although not required for membership. http://www.ibsgroup.org/main/donate.html I have a username on the Bulletin Board, why should I become a member? Registering as a member of the IBS Self Help Group is separate from establishing a username on the IBS Self Help Group Bulletin Board. Completing our membership application allows us to forward your membership information to an IBS group in your area (if one exists) so that they can contact you for such things as meetings and newsletters. There is no cost to becoming a member. In fact you can become a member on-line or you can postal mail your application. http://www.ibsgroup.org/main/membership.html Why does the website have sponsors? The website is free to everyone, however there are costs associated with operating it. A small number of members directly support the IBS Group through membership donations and the purchase of books through our Amazon.com affiliation on the Books page. We are most fortunate to have sponsors who are interested in helping IBS sufferers cope with their illness. Sponsors support the IBS Group by running banners on the website or sponsoring a mailing or newsletter like this. Did you know that banners also exist on the Home Page of the website which are not placed anywhere else? Did you know that just by clicking on a banner it indicates to a sponsor that there is interest for their product and that they may continue their sponsorship? It is very important that we show support for our sponsors. Without your support, or from those of our sponsors, there is always the concern that we might jeopardize our community due to the lack of operating funds. CLICKING ON A BANNER, BUYING A BOOK OR MAKING A DONATION HELPS EVERYONE Thanks to all our sponsors in 2001: Wellspring Pharmaceutical, GNC Inc., IBS Audio Program, Meracol Corp - IBSACOL, Signet Diag. Corp - LEAP, Proper Nutrition - Intestive, IBSTherapy.com, Marlowe & Co., Caramal Publishing, Mind-Body Digestive Center, Prebio, Healthology, DrugVoice http://www.ibsgroup.org/main/sponsor.html Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association Initiatives The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping everyone who suffers from IBS through patient support groups, treatment, accurate information and education. The association recently launched two initiatives:
Online IBS Medication Survey Dr. Richard Hunt, Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, ON has prepared an online medication survey for IBS sufferers. The survey takes only minutes to complete. It aims to identify medications common to IBS sufferers. Click this link for the survey: http://www.digigraphics.on.ca/IBSSurv1/index.asp NEWS LINKS
[Sponsored Link] Perspectives on IBS Art Contest IBSvillage presents Perspectives on IBS Art Contest. Click the link below for a chance to WIN $500 in American Express Gift Cheques http://www.ibsgroup.org/other/rrtblzel00400009nyc.html IBSvillage wants to help IBS sufferers to better communicate with others about their condition. If you suffer from IBS, being able to fully describe your symptoms and express your feelings may help you receive better care and lead a more normal life. The Perspectives on IBS Art Contest lets you create customized artwork to help illustrate some of the daily challenges of living with IBS. MAILING LIST INFORMATION We sent you this email because you signed up for a username on the Bulletin Board at the IBS Self Help Group website and indicated that we could send you email. To CHANGE your preference for email, from the IBS Self Help Group, use the "My Profile" link on the IBS Bulletin Board, http://www.ibsgroup.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=edit_my_profile To REMOVE your username please write to ibs@ibsgroup.org with the words "Unsubscribe Membership" in the Subject line. © 2002 IBS Self Help Group. All rights reserved. |