QUESTION! Do we need a section for....... UPDATE!!!! Please read my replies.

[Epoman]

Yesterday I gave a presentation to about 50 Davita Social Workers, I basically talked about the IHD Family of sites and about my experience with NxStage, and during the Q&A session, one of the social workers asked if IHD.com offered a section on dating with advice on dating, relationships. I was wondering what do you all think of a new section entitled something like:

Dialysis: Dating, Relationships, and Advice

The section could give advice and people could share stories and many even post their "singles" ad looking for a pen-pal or a long distance relationship.

I am undecided if the section would become popular enough, I have noticed that we are getting more and more new members who are single and have talked about being lonely. IHD.com is growing very fast and we are getting new members EVERYDAY! So give me your opinion on the situation and let me hear all comments good and bad.

I understand that MANY dating services already exist, but this will not be just a dating service this will be an advice section for people who still want to find love despite their illness. A place to come to here stories of dating experiences both good and bad while living with ESRD.

- Epoman
Owner/Admin

P.S. Oh and if you're curious about the presentation I made, I was asked by my previous Davita social worker, to do a 45 minute presentation, to about 50 Davita social workers to talk about NxStage and my websites. It went really well and I had a great time. I passed out flyers to all the social workers and many said they will make copies and hand them to their patients.

UPDATE:

Well for those of you who are against the dating section, don't worry I have already started building the new site, In fact I have already spent about 12 hours working on it and it is looking quite nice. It will be totally separate from IHD.com so those who are not interested can stay clear. And those who are indeed interested will have a whole site dedicated to them. I have already purchased the domain name and as I said have most of the site complete and it will be launched soon.

Now, I will be needing some "single" members and some "married" members to help me write some posts on advice and some articles that I have ideas for. The site has a lot of potential and I think this can be a very valuable service to many. If are willing to help me please post here that you are interested and I will send you a PM with the sites address, so you can register and start posting.

- Epoman

[Joe Paul]

Good idea..maybe it could blossom into a section for EXISTING relationships as well? Of course there would have to be some sort of a disclaimer id think, just something to explain that this is friendly advice, nothing concrete.

[Epoman]

Good idea..maybe it could blossom into a section for EXISTING relationships as well? Of course there would have to be some sort of a disclaimer id think, just something to explain that this is friendly advice, nothing concrete.

Oh most definitely, it could be for advice on existing relationships as well. 

[Sluff]

After a unanimous decision I vote yes. 

[jbeany]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[goofynina]

Ooooh, are you taking applications?  I can be Dr. Ruth Westheimer 

[vandie]

Ooooh, are you taking applications?  I can be Dr. Ruth Westheimer 

[kitkatz]

I could help Goofynina.  We could be like those famous Kinsey People!  Yeah! Kitkatz and Goofynina Advice to the Lovetorn...eerr...lovelorn....  

[angieskidney]

My advice, since you've given me so much of it I feel I can offer as well ... is that you make a new site called dialysisdating.com so that anyone on dialysis not even registered on the forums can check it out as I think you are on to something and it could become quite big!

Or maybe start out with just a thread .. but really .. it would only be limited to those on the forums.

Up to you

[kitkatz]

Oh, I did not answer the question.... Yes I think it is a good idea.  Dating and singles ads should be seperate from the advice on relationships.

[Epoman]

My advice, since you've given me so much of it I feel I can offer as well ... is that you make a new site called dialysisdating.com so that anyone on dialysis not even registered on the forums can check it out as I think you are on to something and it could become quite big!

Or maybe start out with just a thread .. but really .. it would only be limited to those on the forums.

Up to you

Hmmm you know what, that is not a bad idea to start a whole separate site. Not to happy with the name dialysisdating.com but I do have an idea. Thanks Angie. Stay tuned. 

- Epoman

Damn like I don't have enough things to keep me busy, now I think I'll start yet another site. 

[kitkatz]

Holy Leaping Web Sites Batman!

[AlasdairUK]

I have concerns that IHD would lose focus on it's core strength as a support and mediacal information sharing site.

I would suggest a premium member section for a dating service. This would keep the site true to it's core value and allow IHD to gather funds for it's ever increasing fan base. I would not want the site to turn into a dating service, but I'm all for everyone finding someone. This would also stop Epoman having to set up a new site.

[angieskidney]

I have concerns that IHD would lose focus on it's core strength as a support and mediacal information sharing site.

I would suggest a premium member section for a dating service. This would keep the site true to it's core value and allow IHD to gather funds for it's ever increasing fan base. I would not want the site to turn into a dating service, but I'm all for everyone finding someone. This would also stop Epoman having to set up a new site.

lol ya but that is why I thought of a new site because I thought dating would take away unless it was more separate. Of course for it to be just a premium member thing is pretty cool too

[Rerun]

The last thing I want to read about is "Love Birds" on dialysis.  I have to put up with Angie and Sandsman as it is.

I vote a resounding NO!  If you want to go make another site great then I have a choice.   

[goofynina]

Well Rerun, you can always just stay clear from that thread if you dont want to deal with it right? right!  I think it would be a great idea, 

[Rerun]

Well Rerun, you can always just stay clear from that thread if you dont want to deal with it right? right!  I think it would be a great idea, 

No, because I bring up unread posts so I see them all.  Go a head and do it, but my vote is no.

[Fighter]

I vote yes.

[tubes]

I say YES.
I like AlasdairUKs' idea.  Doing it in the Premium Members Section.

[Fox_nc]

Lord knows dating with a tube sticking out of your belly or lugging around a drug store for an "overnight visit" is hard enough.    I think it would be good for folks to compare notes and provide support it this area as well.  Finding someone special would be a nice side benefit.

[kitkatz]

I think gentle reminders to keep the lovebirds stuff in the dating sections and in PMs would be good, too.

[Epoman]

Well for those of you who are against the dating section, don't worry I have already started building the new site, In fact I have already spent about 12 hours working on it and it is looking quite nice. It will be totally separate from IHD.com so those who are not interested can stay clear. And those who are indeed interested will have a whole site dedicated to them. I have already purchased the domain name and as I said have most of the site complete and it will be launched soon.

Now, I will be needing some "single" members and some "married" members to help me write some posts on advice and some articles that I have ideas for. The site has a lot of potential and I think this can be a very valuable service to many. If are willing to help me please post here that you are interested and I will send you a PM with the sites address, so you can register and start posting.

- Epoman

[kitkatz]

Here I am.  As of tomorrow, I will have been married 21 years. Is that enough experience?  We have experienced illness and injury, too, in our years of marriage and have stayed together.  I want to help with advice as a married person.  I also carry my big stick with me!

[Sluff]

I'm interested but not sure how to help.

[angieskidney]

The last thing I want to read about is "Love Birds" on dialysis.  I have to put up with Angie and Sandsman as it is.

I vote a resounding NO!  If you want to go make another site great then I have a choice.   

I agree with Rerun only because I feel it would take away from the simple dialysis support system there is going here. That is why I have already suggested a separate site

But on a side note, are we really mushy mushy or anything? I seriously thought I would be single all my life. I mean who really wants a dialysis patient? Well I was surprised! Someone actually wanted me while I still had that belly tube

I would think that is inspiration enough for anyone to have hope still