The Mythical *Pass* for Differently-Abled People

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Please help me understand

We have SF the Ambassador

then the rest of the Mods

which leads to the Site Owners

How are all these people not understanding the issues?

I am confused

Say SF is unable to use the computer. Maybe someone with special issues might feel more comfortable going to the same mod who maybe is the one who looks over the mental health threads or is familiar with special needs issues.

Nothing against SF, she is wonderful and I am so thankful for her! She can't be around 24/7, no one can.

Does that make more sense?

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Say SF is unable to use the computer. Maybe someone with special issues might feel more comfortable going to the same mod who maybe is the one who looks over the mental health threads or is familiar with special needs issues.

Nothing against SF, she is wonderful and I am so thankful for her! She can't be around 24/7, no one can.

Does that make more sense?

I would assume if SF needed a day or two off the Mods have it handled as well as the Owners.. I am assuming here though. I mean Mods take days off and we ALL still have to act with common courtesy.

*shrugs*

I think SF does a great job and a lot for her community hell I gotta give her mad props for doing it considering everything that is going on.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by June

Apoc and Snow -

This is not an issue either of you need to be hashing out in the thread. Apoc, if you have questions, please direct them to the Admins and/or Mods according to your comfort level. Snow, same deal. I am not reading Jen as questioning SF's ability to do this work at all. I am seeing her being concerned for how the process works, and that's up to us to decide.

So - Let's get things back on track in here, shall we? I believe it's supposed to be about talking about if people get a pass or not based on being differently abled.

If this thread continues to escalate - And yeah, I'm not clueless, I see the jabs going on, I am going to come back in here and start moderating and calling out the behaviors specifically, and I don't really have time to do that today, but I will.

If you've got nothing constructive to say about The Mythical Pass, then go find something else to do and stop making it so damn personal.

June - Moderator Voice

Thank you June! Point taken!

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Say SF is unable to use the computer. Maybe someone with special issues might feel more comfortable going to the same mod who maybe is the one who looks over the mental health threads or is familiar with special needs issues.

Nothing against SF, she is wonderful and I am so thankful for her! She can't be around 24/7, no one can.

Does that make more sense?

If I am not able to perform my "duties" as DA Ambassador, there will always be someone filling in.

Really, before you try to change the structure let's see more people who need a liason engage with me as such. Right now, other than this thread not one person has pm'd me for assistance.

So if that changes and it needs to be a 24/7 thing, I'm sure the Admins will restructure.

I'd also like to add that in the capacity of DA Ambassador I am ALL about working to accommodate whomever is DA that needs help. Who I sleep with, hang with and play with have the same rules as the rest of us. As a mother of 4 I can assure you that I am able to be fair and compassionate without ever taking sides. Were I not the children would have killed each other years ago.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

I would assume if SF needed a day or two off the Mods have it handled as well as the Owners.. I am assuming here though. I mean Mods take days off and we ALL still have to act with common courtesy.

*shrugs*

I think SF does a great job and a lot for her community hell I gotta give her mad props for doing it considering everything that is going on.

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

If I am not able to perform my "duties" as DA Ambassador, there will always be someone filling in.

Really, before you try to change the structure let's see more people who need a liason engage with me as such. Right now, other than this thread not one person has pm'd me for assistance.

So if that changes and it needs to be a 24/7 thing, I'm sure the Admins will restructure.

I'd also like to add that in the capacity of DA Ambassador I am ALL about working to accommodate whomever is DA that needs help. Who I sleep with, hang with and play with have the same rules as the rest of us. As a mother of 4 I can assure you that I am able to be fair and compassionate without ever taking sides. Were I not the children would have killed each other years ago.

OK, let's step back.

I am NOT trying to change the structure, I just thought it might make some people who think they can't contact the moderators directly about an issue feel more comfortable if SF is out.

I sincerely until yesterday did not know it was OK for me to contact a mod directly if I did not agree with them, I bet a bunch of people think that too and are afraid to say.

That is all.

If it is not possible, no problem.

Of course mad props to SF!

and to the owners and to all the mods!

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

OK, let's step back.

I am NOT trying to change the structure, I just thought it might make some people who think they can't contact the moderators directly about an issue feel more comfortable if SF is out.

That is all.

If it is not possible, no problem. Was trying to be helpful, I will stop.

Of course mad props to SF!

and to the owners and to all the mods!

I hear you Jen.

It's not that it is not possible, it is that at the moment it is not necessary.

If somebody doesn't feel good about coming to me for ANY reason I can assure you that ALL of the mod's are fabulous and fair. It is fine to skip me and go right to them any time needed.

My only concern is making sure that all of our DA'd members have a voice. That nobody is treated unfairly because of a DA, and to be a fellow DA'd member always available for questions, concerns, advice and assistance in any capacity needed.

I've always got my eye out for any signs whatsoever of unfair treatment of our portion of the population.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

If I am not able to perform my "duties" as DA Ambassador, there will always be someone filling in.

Really, before you try to change the structure let's see more people who need a liason engage with me as such. Right now, other than this thread not one person has pm'd me for assistance.

So if that changes and it needs to be a 24/7 thing, I'm sure the Admins will restructure.

I'd also like to add that in the capacity of DA Ambassador I am ALL about working to accommodate whomever is DA that needs help. Who I sleep with, hang with and play with have the same rules as the rest of us. As a mother of 4 I can assure you that I am able to be fair and compassionate without ever taking sides. Were I not the children would have killed each other years ago.

Maybe this thread will help people know that they can contact you for assistance if they need it!

That it is OK to feel misunderstood and that you guys are here to help.

Just like many people are afraid of the police and won't go to them with problems, so mentally ill and some DA people fear auhority figures too. They need to know that you are here to help, like you help me all the time.

[SuperFemme]

Thanks Jen.

I think this conversation has been a great learning experience.

I know that *I* am learning a lot about how people with DA's and without approach this space.

I know that we are a great bunch of people, and it seems to me that the over all consensus is that we as humans want to be fair to everyone.

I think we have a patchwork "buddy system" already in place. By that I mean that those of us who interact with and are friends with each other keep an eye on each other. We look out for each other and let each other know when something we post might be "iffy".

If we keep doing that and all have an open mind, then we are all going to be in good shape I think.

I know that I always want to know when what I post and what is being heard is so disproportionate that my intent has been completely lost.

Not in a finger wagging way, but in a kind compassionate way.

That is something we should ALL do for each other, not just the DA'd people.

I know that we have amazing moderators here, who really work hard to be fair and equitable when dealing with people on a very personal and individual level.

We all have the obligation to each other to ensure that our community is safe. For everyone.

I do hope that anybody that needs help with any kind of DA issue will keep in mind that this site is dedicated to making it as inclusive for Differently abled members as it is to every other cross section of our community.

I am always available for assistance, questions or issues should anyone need help.

I know that The Planet goes out of it's way to be fair, even more so with our DA population. Please keep in mind that most of us are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes.

[Apocalipstic]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

Thanks Jen.

I think this conversation has been a great learning experience.

I know that *I* am learning a lot about how people with DA's and without approach this space.

I know that we are a great bunch of people, and it seems to me that the over all consensus is that we as humans want to be fair to everyone.

I think we have a patchwork "buddy system" already in place. By that I mean that those of us who interact with and are friends with each other keep an eye on each other. We look out for each other and let each other know when something we post might be "iffy".

If we keep doing that and all have an open mind, then we are all going to be in good shape I think.

I know that I always want to know when what I post and what is being heard is so disproportionate that my intent has been completely lost.

Not in a finger wagging way, but in a kind compassionate way.

That is something we should ALL do for each other, not just the DA'd people.

I know that we have amazing moderators here, who really work hard to be fair and equitable when dealing with people on a very personal and individual level.

We all have the obligation to each other to ensure that our community is safe. For everyone.

I do hope that anybody that needs help with any kind of DA issue will keep in mind that this site is dedicated to making it as inclusive for Differently abled members as it is to every other cross section of our community.

I am always available for assistance, questions or issues should anyone need help.

I know that The Planet goes out of it's way to be fair, even more so with our DA population. Please keep in mind that most of us are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes.

Thank You, the Mods and Owners for all you do! This is indeed a wonderful website.

I sincerely do not know what the answer is for those who can't take no for an answer, I wish I did. I think we do give passes for reasons of compassion and humanity and I am glad for that, but understand that at some point, tough decisions have to be made and it is heartening to see that these decisions are not made lightly.

I have learned so much here too, from all angles, and bottom line, no one should have to be afraid here.

You know, I haver never been a believer in the report button, it felt like telling on people or being Big Brotherish, but this thread has taught me that when we see something starting to go wrong through miscommunication, reporting is the right thing to do. Maybe then escalated angry situations can be avoided.

Thank you all for the thread and your interaction.

[Apocalipstic]

Also, I want to apologize to anyone who felt like I was taking jabs at them, that was not my intent.

Snow, you should never have to feel afraid on BFP and when the TOS are violated, action does need to be taken. I hope you know if you ever need to call on me for help I am here. I can't kick ass like I used to, but I can help in other ways.

Mods, so sorry that I took your excellent writing skills for possibly being form letters.

SuperFemme, so sorry for making you think that I don't think you are capable of doing your job and for not thanking you often enough.

Report button, my apologies for not understanding how you can be used for good.

June, so sorry you had to come in here and semi moderate us.

Violaine.


xoxoxoxxo

Jen

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by SuperFemme

Thanks Jen.

I think this conversation has been a great learning experience.

I know that *I* am learning a lot about how people with DA's and without approach this space.

I know that we are a great bunch of people, and it seems to me that the over all consensus is that we as humans want to be fair to everyone.

I think we have a patchwork "buddy system" already in place. By that I mean that those of us who interact with and are friends with each other keep an eye on each other. We look out for each other and let each other know when something we post might be "iffy".

If we keep doing that and all have an open mind, then we are all going to be in good shape I think.

I know that I always want to know when what I post and what is being heard is so disproportionate that my intent has been completely lost.

Not in a finger wagging way, but in a kind compassionate way.

That is something we should ALL do for each other, not just the DA'd people.

I know that we have amazing moderators here, who really work hard to be fair and equitable when dealing with people on a very personal and individual level.

We all have the obligation to each other to ensure that our community is safe. For everyone.

I do hope that anybody that needs help with any kind of DA issue will keep in mind that this site is dedicated to making it as inclusive for Differently abled members as it is to every other cross section of our community.

I am always available for assistance, questions or issues should anyone need help.

I know that The Planet goes out of it's way to be fair, even more so with our DA population. Please keep in mind that most of us are not privy to what goes on behind the scenes.

I so agree with your last statement. Even though, I know it is hard sometimes- we are quite a group of members- very diverse! And we each have our points of passion!

Something I have felt about the Planet since joining is that it does have a higher level of understanding and fairness for DA members. There is a sensitivity around this that I do see and feel. Sure, I have been taken to task and reprimanded, but, I do think this is a space in which fairness is practiced via the admin and mods. I don't recall (but it could have happened) seeing as much attention (and trying to understand) on the old site about communication in relationship to being DA. And DA in many different ways.

I have read quite a few posts by admin stating they are looking into things that they have been asked about in terms of the TOS. And they make changes accordingly if they find a need to. I'm sure that mods are involved in these processes, which is a positive thing.

This thread has been hard, but, also really helpful to me. I hope it is one that gets bumped from time to time with new information getting posted. I know that for me, dealing with chronic pain and mobility issues can lead to my just being impatient. If I have to take heavy duty pain meds for a period of time, I know I see the world differently. It is always good for me to be aware of this.