Leaving this board

[ChrisnSteph]

I just want to say that even though I'm fairly new, I'm leaving this board and will not be posting here any longer. I've been involved in some thread here that have sort of taken a life of their own and gotten carried away. There's been times I've posted a different opinion and I've gotten slammed for it. I've had my posts taken, picked apart, twisted and turned, and run with in directions I never even though of. I have received emails from a couple of those who just can't let their feelings go. I've had enough. I am tired of being judged by people who don't even know me. There is sort of a lynch mob mentality happening here. BTW, for the record: We have sailed with DCL three times. We love all things Disney and really enjoy the cruises because we love the ocean. I am a married, sahm mother of five children - 9, 3, 2, 15 months, and a child that passed away at 20 months. We are adopting our three year old son, who has leukemia, but is in remission and doing well. Our 15 month old has a genetic condition known as Trisomy 14. He wasn't expected to live, and his prognosis is poor, but he is here and we cherish each day we have with him. These kids are the love of my life, I take good care of them, and it pisses me off when people here start to insinuate that I'm a poor parent. My kids are good kids. We are both educated, my husband is a firefighter/paramedic. We are not ignorant, insensitive people, we don't put our children in harms way, we're not poor parents. These are things that have been assumed or suggested by people in response to the opinions I express on this board. I'm angry. I am not a mean person. I'm not insensitive. I don't bash and slam people on this board for their opinions. But once I post a difference in opinion, the insults start flying. It seems to me that it's ok to express your opinion, as long as it is the same as everyone else. I can deal with people being angry with me, but when I start getting emails and people are starting to get personal, especially when they have NO clue who I am, I have no tolerance for it. Not only that, but it spoils the board for everyone else.

I came here because I love sailing with Disney. We've just booked our fourth cruise. I thought that I could be helpful, and at the same time have fun and learn from others. I've seen posts that are innocent get picked apart by people just looking to get their digs in, I've seen posts that are condensending, and so on. It doesn't surprise me that people are afraid to post anything that reflects negatively on DCL, or anything Disney for that matter. And you can't post differing opinions. So what's the point? I've met some really nice people on this board, but I can't deal with all bashing and slamming. I've been guilty of letting myself get caught up in the drama, and for that I apologize to anyone I've offended. I've never intentionally tried to hurt anyone or judge them based on what they believe. But just because I sometimes think differently doesn't mean I'm a horrible person. Someone posted something earlier today about having had personal traumas that make her outlook on life a little more laidback. (not her exact words, but her sentiment). I agree with that. My life experience is different than anyone elses, so I look at things differently. My tragedies have helped mold me into the person I am today. Maybe that's why my views differ than most, I don't know. But I won't apologize for it.

To put it simply, this board has become too "high school" with all the drama, and for that reason I'm done posting. I've met some really nice people here, and I appreciate those of you who've PM'd me. There are some really great people here with lots of advice and stories to share! Hopefully it can get back to being a more postive place.

 

[zacsmom]

ChrisnSteph, it is sad that it has to come to this. I was reading todays posts and thinking, here we go again. I understand that all of our lives cannot be showered with fairy dust. Such a shame!

 

[Aisling]

I'm so sorry that this happened to you, but I understand what you mean. I've learned to when people get mean and analyze averything and twist words into negative meanings. Just laugh in their faces with these
because they are just

 

[alanapapa]

This is a loss to all of us. I have found your post to be rather insightfull. Take care.

 

[bratray]

hi
sent you a PM

 

[faireygod mother]

Please reconsider your decision. Do not let the few ruin it for the many. You have something to offer and to let it go to waste is a far greater crime. Trust that this too will pass. You deal with grief and all its processes daily. You, better than anyne on here know who and what you are. Please stand proud for your opinions. You are a role model to your children and what you seem to be teaching them is that you have to stand firm and fight against all odds. That is what you will be doing here if you stay. There are many of us here who will support you and or respect you opinion. My suggestionis remove your e-mail address so they can not enter into your private world.

I hope you will reconsider and I wish you the best. You are an inspirtation to us all.

 

[april riddle]

I know what you mean about people being mean although I haven't experienced it here on the cruise threads but I did on the other disboards when I told how I used shoes with thick heels to enable my son to ride the Star tours ride. A woman stated I would probably be the first one to sue Disney for my own ignorance. It really hurt and I was stunned that someone who didn't know me or my kids would say such terrible things. It took me awhile to post again but I finally did and have met some wonderful people personally on our cruise and there are some people here on the cruise threads that you just know are wonderful human beings. I don't think I know where your original post is where people are being mean to your comments but just remember that you know that yes you and your DH are good parents and no-one can really judge you unless they have walked in your shoes. I know just from what you have said about your children - I am in awe of what you must go through each and everyday. I can certainly understand why you feel the way you do from reading this posting. Take care

 

[LissafromSJ]

Just wanted to add my two cents - I too, have noticed that there has been a tone lately that seems really, well - let's say it rhymes with witchy. I think sometimes bored people with no outlet for their negativity get caught up in the freedom of slamming someone from the relative safety of a computer. I hesitated posting anything because of that, but I have given in lately. Stick around, if no other reason than to give the majority of the posters here the benefit of your cruising experience, coupled with your general outlook that life is too short to be wasted with such triviality. I never got caught up in that drama in high school, and I'm certainly not about to as an adult trying to get some travel tips!
I hope you change your mind. If not, best to you and your family. I cannot imagine the real battles you must face on a daily basis. Good luck! Melissa

 

[TooPure4u]

Wow...I must not have been reading enough because I havent seen anything. I hope you reconsider ChrisnSteph. I really hope you dont allow whoever it was that upset you...run you off.

Tracy

p.s. you sound like a great mom and get much respect from me for all you go through and many prayers for you and your children.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

Really I wouldnt just because someone is getting down. I think you will find more supporters than detractors in the end. While I disagreed with some of what you said in the thread in question I was quite shocked with how some were treating you. Don't let it get you down.

 

[budwmn]

I'm a DISboard addict. That doesn't mean I like everything I read on this board. Sometimes people flame for no reason. Sometimes it takes everything I have not to write a flip comment back. There are times when I can't believe someone is asking a basic question without first doing a "search" or ask a question that was answered two posts earlier in the same thread. I do get annoyed, but that's my problem and I'm not going to take it out on somebody else.

Yet, the majority of the time, I find well-meaning people providing useful information. I've learned a lot from these boards and am trying to give back now that I've done a few cruises. No one makes us respond to these threads. If you see one going in "the wrong direction" or if someone flames you for no reason, you don't have reply. There have been many times when I say to myself, "don't touch that one". We all just need take a breath before we write.

If you need to leave the boards, I understand. It's just a shame to let the bullies win.

 

[oybolshoi]

I'd also like to encourage you to stick around. I think we all benefit from the different opinions and experiences posted on these boards, and if there are people who want to make unfounded accusations and assumptions based on something you posted without asking for clarification from you then it's obvious that those people have issues of their own to deal with.

I'm sure someone else has already stated this, but I'll say it again for what it's worth - it's far too easy for people to attack each other from the relative safety and anonymity of their computers. And it's way too easy to misinterpret the meaning of most posts, especially if that's what someone wants to do in the first place, you know what I mean? Too many people react without thinking.

And I did read the thread you were referring to - I wish I could say that I was surprised by some of the reaction there, but sadly I'm not. I've seen this kind of stuff here before, which is one reason that I keep most of my posts limited to the cruise meet for my upcoming trip (and why I waitied for such a long time before I finally registered as a member). I still say you should stick around, but I would understand if your experience today has soured you on the idea.

Take care, whatever your final decision may be.

 

[chatty]

chrisnsteph,
Stay, I for one like all the opions, even if their not to my idea. I agree that some people come off not so kind. But I say STAY!! Don't let a few take you away from this forum..
Chatty

 

[jrp]

Hi ChrisnSteph
I agree with all the responses posted. I am a retired Firefighter/Paramedic and am type A also. Don't quit just because some posters can't find the satisfaction of just posting thier opinions (good or bad)on the board. I would think that if you got some threatening pm's that a board moderator would like to know about it and then could take action on it. I have definately had some of my post removed from the board, as it was not in the interest of the group . Take it with a grain of salt because, after 30+ years in my field, the politics they are a frieghtening.IMHO

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I just want to say that even though I'm fairly new, I'm leaving this board and will not be posting here any longer. I've been involved in some thread here that have sort of taken a life of their own and gotten carried away. There's been times I've posted a different opinion and I've gotten slammed for it. I've had my posts taken, picked apart, twisted and turned, and run with in directions I never even though of.

Things like that are going to happen in every message board. I generally post to about 5 different boards (all different subject matter), but from time to time, these things happen on all boards it seems. Don't let a bad day, week, etc prevent you from contributing and benefiting from this or any forum.

 

[kellimomo3]

Anyone know what happened here?? What post is the OP referring to??

Kelli

 

[Lynderella]

It started as a question about the bathrooms by the pool and unfortuntely ended in a heated debate about taking boys in a women's bathroom.

 

[MickeyB426]

I'm going to say something that will probably tork people off, but I feel it needs to be said.

ChrisnSteph, even though I agreed with your position in the other thread, it bothers me when people need to announce to everyone that they will no longer participate on a board.

If you want to leave, just leave. Your making a point to tell everyone on a new thread just to announce that you're leaving is EXACTLY the kind of high school behavior you accuse others of doing.

 

[Dreamer04]

ChristnSteph

I hope you don't leave. You sound like a well rounded person. The DIS needs people like you. I wish that one of the guidelines was to assume that the person posting means well. Because the written word, without the background of a novel, is hard to interpret.

Please stay.

Ursula

 

[dwkwootton]

ChrisnSteph and I have disagreed strongly on threads. We've agreed on other threads. Neither she or I emailed each other privately. But I have also received nasty little emails and pm's from many disboarders. And it is awful. I've felt like she is feeling right now but maybe I'm more stubborn than she (and only the shadow knows if that's good or bad) and I'm still here with my helpful information and my not-always-mainstream strong opinions. It is a great loss for her to leave. There's enough Stepford Wives here and these boards are in desperate need of fresh thought and provoking discussion that provides more stimulation than a day on a Disney Cruise is better than a day starving in shackles while being beaten to within an inch of your life with barbed wire. Like her, I have disabled kids and was misunderstood and misquoted by the mainstream who labelled me a kid-hater. I'm saying too much and I'm sure I'll regret it over morning coffee, but what the heck, in for a dime, in for a dollar ... I've been labelled a whiner and a negative person by people who don't know that on Tuesday, April 20 of this year I buried my mother and 4 days later on Saturday, April 24 I went through with my wedding because my mother didn't raise a whiner and a quitter and she would have wanted me to be strong and represent her with dignity, which I did. I'm not a kid-hater, a whiner, or a negative person and I doubt very strongly ChrisnSteph is. Please come back!