Regarding Deafmedic

[Aimee K]

Yes Wendy, Thank you!

 

[L107ANGEL]

Is it really that big of a deal to make up a life or a tragedy on an internet board? This is the internet, not real life, afterall. This isn't someone you really "knew," like a neighbor or a friend. I guess it depends on how you see the "DIS." Is it a community or a diversion? I suppose if you are one of the people who share your life's tragedies and triumphs with DISer's you would feel betrayed and "sick to your stomach."

Truth be known many of us have met in person and are real freinds. So yes, the emotions with this twisted hoax were very real and knocked some of us down to our knees. I am thrilled those children are alive and hopefully well.
I will make a mental note, not to get to emotional if god forbid you may need prayers and pixie dust. Thanks for the kinds words

 

[RitaZ.]

I just saw this... WTH? I thought it was such a tragic accident when I first read about it and now we find out it was a hoax. Why would anyone do that?

BTW, very good post PAW.

 

[pattyT]

YES - Wendy Than YOU!!!

as for internet friends NOT being REAL

I am a member of a small group originating from another forum here on the board -
They threw me a wonderful BABY shower when my baby was born
we had a virtual bridal shower when another member got married...
in the years we have exchanged phone numbers, prayed for eachother through tough times, laughed with and at each other...
all those things are VERY REAL

and please people - don't let this stop you from forming true friendships online - I have loved going to scrapbooking events and meeting others I have chatted with online...
recently I met another Diser at a Cheering event,

we are all people first....

most people have heart and feelings...

and sometimes they get hurt...

its a fact of life...

I am sorry for babbeling here - I don't know what to say now -
(and to think a few years ago I mocked online relationships!)

 

[nativetxn]

I guess the OP has learned the hard way that "No good deed goes unpunished". She came to the DIS in good faith believing that this story was true, grieving for a friend and now she learns that she had been deceived and betrayed. Then on top of that she is probably now feeling a bit humiliated because it turns out that none of it was true. My heart goes out to her, it must be so difficult to have to admit that her post turned out to be false. She has been brave dealing with the fallout of this situation.

I suppose that some of us are feeling a little embarrassed ourselves because we opened our hearts and thought good thoughts, said prayers and wept for this family. This time it turns out we were fooled but usually that isn't the case.

And you know what? That's what the DIS is all about. I have come here over almost 6 years now. I have shared personal information. I came here for comfort during my mother's illness and I came here for prayers when she died. I shared my joy about my son's romance and engagement and finally his wedding. I was excited to share my joy about my future granddaughter with my fellow DISers. Recently I have come here for comfort and prayers because of my husband's illness and upcoming surgery. Whatever it was I asked, my needs were met. Good thoughts or prayers, a pat on the back, a word of encouragement and fellowship have always been forthcoming from my fellow DISers. I am grateful for that and I promise, I haven't lied to anyone about any of these things, I can prove it too

We have nothing to be embarrassed about. We thought good thoughts and said prayers for these girls who we believed died and we thought good thoughts and said prayers for their family. From what I'm hearing now, that family needs those prayers and good thoughts, more than ever.

No prayer is ever wasted. Most of us are good hearted and reaching out to others is a blessing in itself. Whether or not the need is really there.

Katholyn

 

[Deb in IA]

Excellent post, Katholyn.


I am very happy to hear that the children are alive and well. As for the adults who perpetrated this hoax, well, in the spirit of Christmas, I won't say what I'm thinking.

 

[Aidensmom]

I guess the OP has learned the hard way that "No good deed goes unpunished". She came to the DIS in good faith believing that this story was true, grieving for a friend and now she learns that she had been deceived and betrayed. Then on top of that she is probably now feeling a bit humiliated because it turns out that none of it was true. My heart goes out to her, it must be so difficult to have to admit that her post turned out to be false. She has been brave dealing with the fallout of this situation.

I suppose that some of us are feeling a little embarrassed ourselves because we opened our hearts and thought good thoughts, said prayers and wept for this family. This time it turns out we were fooled but usually that isn't the case.

And you know what? That's what the DIS is all about. I have come here over almost 6 years now. I have shared personal information. I came here for comfort during my mother's illness and I came here for prayers when she died. I shared my joy about my son's romance and engagement and finally his wedding. I was excited to share my joy about my future granddaughter with my fellow DISers. Recently I have come here for comfort and prayers because of my husband's illness and upcoming surgery. Whatever it was I asked, my needs were met. Good thoughts or prayers, a pat on the back, a word of encouragement and fellowship have always been forthcoming from my fellow DISers. I am grateful for that and I promise, I haven't lied to anyone about any of these things, I can prove it too

We have nothing to be embarrassed about. We thought good thoughts and said prayers for these girls who we believed died and we thought good thoughts and said prayers for their family. From what I'm hearing now, that family needs those prayers and good thoughts, more than ever.

No prayer is ever wasted. Most of us are good hearted and reaching out to others is a blessing in itself. Whether or not the need is really there.

Katholyn

Wow, that was extremely well said, Katholyn.

 

[luvmydogs]

Katholyn, I wish I had just half the class that you do.

 

[Teejay32]

I agree with Katholyn, no prayer is wasted, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about in being fooled here. Perhaps the instigator doesn't realize and appreciate what she had in her board friends, when she had it. That's another kind of tragedy.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Katholyn, that was the most wonderful post.

 

[ugadog99]

I remember reading the OP's original thread and thinking what a terrible tragedy this was. I have been on the boards for quite a while, but don't remember deafmedic very well. What sickens me is that I was a very young widow. I was only 30 years old with a 3 year old daughter and six months pregnant with another daughter. My husband was killed in a car accident. To know that someone (a husband and wife, no less) made up this horrible story is unbelievable to me. The pain I experienced for YEARS after the death of my husband was horrible. I can't imagine inflicting that pain on other people. And, yes, people do form relationships over the internet. I have met WONDERFUL people thanks to the DIS and I do consider them my friends even if they are cyber friends.

 

[strawberryblonde]

I never would have guessed. I didn't post with DM but was sad to read about her "death". I feel for those who got close to her and were emailing back and forth. Such a blow to their trust and emotions.

Lest we turn our backs on internet friendships, this sort of thing goes on IRL as well, sad to say. It is a bit easier to spot because you can see the person's manerisms as they tell their lies. We have all had to go to school or work with this sort of person though at one time or another in real life. Their lives are one drama after another, and then you start to catch on.

I like what Nativetxn wrote. I am glad to know the truth now about this story. Thank-you to those who have passed this along even though it was embarrasing to tell.

 

[Dare2Wish]

Hugs to all of those who were betrayed in this woman's absurd scheme.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is it really that big of a deal to make up a life or a tragedy on an internet board? This is the internet, not real life, afterall. This isn't someone you really "knew," like a neighbor or a friend. I guess it depends on how you see the "DIS." Is it a community or a diversion?.............

Thankfully, I see the DIS as a community, mom. If knowing, dealing with, sharing and visiting with people and their families over the years is not real life, I have no idea what I have been doing over the past number of years.

As for the clown who is the subject of this thread, I had no use for her before she was banned the first time, she was a pig, nor the subsequent times as she returned time and again; and now have less than no use for her. I pity her kids, if there are in fact real kids.

 

[AdventurerKat]

This is just sick.

 

[katerkat]

You know, even THAT doesn't mean much. Another board I've been a member of for 5+ years had a situation where a girl created a complete personality and life for herself. People exchanged with her, called her, sent her "child" gifts, she sent them Christmas cards and called them and sent their children gifts, she posted photos of her life, wedding, home, created MUCH accessible "personal information," people even MET her. And NONE of it was true. I lost faith in internet personas then...

She was banned from the community, which is a PAY and private community!!!, but of course, managed to come back reincarnated as someone new. PAID to continue playing the game. After some more outrageous stories and analyzing posting style, she was outed again.

Actually, she never met anyone - I believe she always had a last-minute excuse for not making GTGs. (RBD, right?)

To those who were Deafmedic's friends, I'm so sorry she did this to you.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I just got home after being at the Mass General Hospital with my husband, he had a suspicious mole removed from his shoulder....it is always something. I usually do not share what goes on in my private life as sometimes it hurts too much to put it out there....

I will share this, last year my husband had Pancreatic Cancer. My friends here knew what was going on in my life and I had lots of prayers. He had surgery, chemo and radiation, each time off we went to WDW...where else could you go to try and forget your troubles. He had chemo again for 4 months is now in remission, it was a year November 2.

I thank God that the power of prayer got us through a very difficult time in our lives. I do want the same thing for my friend, Katholyn, and it is so ironic that she kept me bucked up during Tom's illness and I hope to do the same for her with her husband. We will accept nothing less than a complete remission for him too..

It is sad that some come to the Dis and abuse this by requesting prayers for attention....I do not get that. Thankfully, they are in the minority and I truly believe that we are a great group of people who truly care about each other.

I do hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan (I try so hard to be politically correct ) and that we can put this disappointment behind us and focus on what truly matters..people caring about people.

Everyone take care and be well...

 

[JuliaEeyore]

Actually, she never met anyone - I believe she always had a last-minute excuse for not making GTGs. (RBD, right?)

You betcha! RBD. I might have been confusing parts of the Amanda story too... Or maybe no one ever met her either... regardless. It's really bugging me that it happens so freakin' often and so many people get hurt. I'm becoming more and more cynical and less and less trusting...

 

[SillyMe]

First of all, thank you Alex and Katholyn. I absolutely believed without a doubt that what I was told about the accident was true. We heard it straight from the liar's mouth, whether it was Chris or Lea herself.

We were all affected by it on the other board, as I'm sure many were affected here, too. Who wouldn't be affected when you hear of young children dying, whether you know them or not?

What has transpired is disgusting. Yes, there are alot of angry people. However, for those of you who have doubts about internet relationships being real, some of them are real. I have been going through alot of tough times in my personal life lately, and have an awesome support system among my "friends". Yes, my friends. I have even met one of them recently and we keep in touch via phone also. Believe me, we are angry, but we are NOT going to let this ruin what we have created. It's not worth it.

There are indeed two young girls who ARE alive and really could use some prayers right now. I'd like to add that while I am really upset about this hoax, I am so happy to know that those little girls are alive and well.

 

[L107ANGEL]

First of all, thank you Alex and Katholyn. I absolutely believed without a doubt that what I was told about the accident was true. We heard it straight from the liar's mouth, whether it was Chris or Lea herself.

We were all affected by it on the other board, as I'm sure many were affected here, too. Who wouldn't be affected when you hear of young children dying, whether you know them or not?

What has transpired is disgusting. Yes, there are alot of angry people. However, for those of you who have doubts about internet relationships being real, some of them are real. I have been going through alot of tough times in my personal life lately, and have an awesome support system among my "friends". Yes, my friends. I have even met one of them recently and we keep in touch via phone also. Believe me, we are angry, but we are NOT going to let this ruin what we have created. It's not worth it.

There are indeed two young girls who ARE alive and really could use some prayers right now. I'd like to add that while I am really upset about this hoax, I am so happy to know that those little girls are alive and well.

You know we are here for you!