Folloup-To: news.groups
REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION (RFD)
unmoderated group sci.med.diseases.lyme
changed proposal from unmoderated group misc.health.lyme-disease
Newsgroups line:
sci.med.diseases.lyme Lyme Disease and related issues.
This is a formal Request For Discussion concerning the creation of an
unmoderated newsgroup to be called sci.med.diseases.lyme.
This is the same group that was recently proposed under the title of
misc.health.lyme-disease. After a long discussion period it was
decided by consensus that the misc.health category was not the best
choice for a Lyme Disease discussion group for the following reasons:
Many of the respondents were unable to access the misc category at
their sites. In addition, the consensus felt that the sci.med
category would better serve their desires to have a serious as well as
informative and accessible forum for discussion and would encourage
the participation of the medical and scientific community. Therefore
we are posting the RFD again under the new name of
sci.med.diseases.lyme.
The first paragraph of the Charter has been amended to include anyone who
has an interest in educating themselves about the symptoms, treatment, and
prevention of Lyme Disease. The second paragraph of the Charter has been
changed to reflect the wishes of the consensus to encourage participation
by the medical and scientific community. Other changes that have been made
are inessential corrections in wording to clarify the language of the RFD.
This RFD is being posted in accordance with the Guidelines for Newsgroup
Creation. Its language is based on previously submitted RFDs. Its
format follows a suggestion by David C. Lawrence, the moderator of
news.announce.newgroups.
RATIONALE:
There is currently no discussion group for the many persons suffering from
Lyme Disease, a devastating illness which has become a problem from North
America to Slovakia or wherever the disease carrying tick thrives. The
symptoms are as varied as the terrain and patients are often left isolated
by these debilitating symptoms in quite rural locations.
Although there are Lyme Disease support groups in various geographic
locations, the severe limitations of the varied symptoms experienced by
patients make it often impossible for them to physically attend these
groups. This proposed newsgroup would give housebound patients a much
needed forum to discuss their problems, symptoms, fears and victories. Lyme
Disease is particularly common among teenagers and young children because
their activities often take them into areas where the tick is found.
Fortunately, many of these young people have access to a computer, usually
through their school. Both young patients and adult sufferers may never
actually meet another Lyme Disease patient face to face, and being able to
communicate via a Lyme Disease newsgroup could be invaluable help in easing
their fears and giving them the support they need.
MAILING LISTS:
There currently exists a Lyme Disease Mailing List, LymeNet, which publishes
an informational newsletter to its 1200 direct subscribers, as well as
being gated to the sci.med newsgroup. In addition, I am aware that many
people copy the LymeNet Newsletter and redistribute it as per the reprint
agreement.
LymeNet is useful for the dissemination of new information about Lyme
Disease as it is made available and will definitely be useful as a resource
for the proposed discussion group, however it is not able to offer the give
and take that an open discussion group can offer and the publishers of
LymeNet have no plans to make such a discussion group available to all
sites. We are planning to gateway the LymeNet Mailing List to
sci.med.diseases.lyme.
CHARTER:
The proposed newsgroup is intended for discussion about the many different
aspects of Lyme Disease as experienced by patients, their caregivers,
friends and family members, doctors and other medical professionals, or
anyone affected by or involved with Lyme Disease, as well as those who wish
to learn about its symptoms, latest treatment options and its prevention.
Anyone with an interest in Lyme Disease is free to post, including the
medical and scientific community, as this newsgroup is interested both in
fostering communication between Lyme Disease sufferers from all parts of
the globe, as well as providing an open forum for the exchange of medical
and scientific information which can be useful to all participants. Above
all, we wish to encourage a supportive and open atmosphere for the free
exchange of opinions and information.
The following are examples of possible posting topics:
- questions regarding any aspect of Lyme Disease
- symptoms and problems arising from the onset of new symptoms
- treatments and therapies, both conventional and alternative
- emotions, including fears and anxieties caused by this illness
- social issues regarding this illness
- problems in the medical community in regard to Lyme Disease
- new information and resources available about the disease
- related practical problems or solutions
- Lyme Disease research findings
Commercial advertisements may NOT be posted to this proposed group.
PROCEDURE:
If there are no overwhelming objections to the proposed group, there will
be a Call For Votes (CFV) posted to the same groups as this RFD. The
voting period will be at least 21 days. If the group passes by receiving a
2/3rds majority of YES votes to all valid YES & NO votes as well as 100
more YES votes than NO votes, it will be created.
DISTRIBUTION:
This RFD is being posted to the following relevant newsgroups:
news.announce.newgroups, news.groups
alt.med.fibromyalgia
alt.support.arthritis, misc.health.arthritis
sci.med, sci.med.immunology
Subsequent discussion should take place in news.groups only, not in
other above-mentioned groups. The Followup-To: header is set
accordingly.
Proposed by: Linda Palund <monkeypa at dircon.co.uk>
Mentor: Taneli Huuskonen <huuskone at cc.helsinki.fi>
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___________she shall have music wherever she goes_____________
