Pecanbread

About a month ago, I was offered moderator status on the Pecanbread Yahoo! group. I knew they needed the help, and I accepted.

Each day, there are new people joining that list, asking for answers, desperate for someone to listen to them, to help them on their way. Every day there are more people who have noticed that digestive dysfunction seems to go hand in hand with their child's autism, or ADHD, or that there must be a way to help their child with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

We even get adults with fibromyalgia and CFS, and still others with rheumatoid arthritis. There are other moms with RA who have autistic kids, and we wonder together about this relationship.

There are about 3300 subscribers to this list. There are about 100 messages a day.

Most of the messages are not easy ones. Some ask how to start the diet. Some post lists of supplements, asking which are in line with the diet and which are not. Some post asking for alternatives to their child's current regimen. Some are confused as to how to implement the diet in the face of unsupportive family, friends, and schools; some just need a shoulder to cry on. Some challenge us to explain how the diet works. We do our best.

I would be lying if I said that being involved as a moderator hasn't been draining in some ways. There are some days when I just have to let go and let the other mods handle it. Fortunately we have several.

But I do take responsibility when I feel I am able, and I do my best to answer the questions that I can, because when I was confused, lost and alone, with only my own research and beliefs to guide me, they were there for me. And now I'm not alone anymore.