PTO Judgment, Opinions, and Support Reminder

[choclgs]

After reading through a few threads tonight, the references of being judged or feeling unsupported kept coming up for one reason or another. I wondered how many people notice this message each time they log on, post/comment on a thread, or browse (what I did for months before I finally built up enough courage to become a member ).



"The PrisonTalk Online web community was conceived in a prison cell, designed in a halfway house, and funded by donations from families of ex-offenders, to bring those with an interest in the prisoner support community a forum in which their issues and concerns may be addressed by others in similar circumstances and beliefs.

Inside the PTO web community you will be able to find support from others who are dealing with, or have been down the same dark road you may currently find yourself, information resources & tools to aid your in achieving your goals, and most importantly, a place to communicate and share your stories.

There is no worse feeling than that of being alone and helpless. This applies to the families of those who are incarcerated just as much as it does to those behind the walls. PTO's goal is to bridge the communication barrier that exists in and around the criminal "justice" system today and bring everyone in the prisoner support community closer together to effect change in policy, prisoner rights, sentencing and so much more."




Many times after you've been apart of something for so long, certain things become unnoticed. Here's what I believe we all contribute to and experience in one way or another (dictionary time ):



Support:

"1 : to endure bravely or quietly
2 a (1) : to promote the interests or cause of (2) : to uphold or defend as valid or right : advocate <supports fair play> (3) : to argue or vote for <supported the motion to lower taxes> b (1) : assist, help <bombers supported the ground troops> (2) : to act with (a star actor) (3) : to bid in bridge so as to show support for c : to provide with substantiation :corroborate <support an alibi>
3 a : to pay the costs of : maintain <support a family> b : to provide a basis for the existence or subsistence of <the island could probably support three — A. B. C. Whipple> <support a habit>
4 a : to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for b : to maintain (a price) at a desired level by purchases or loans; also : to maintain the price of by purchases or loans
5 : to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage : comfort
6 : to keep (something) going"


Opinion:
"1 a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b : approval, esteem
2 a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a generally held view
3 a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based"


Judgment:
"1 a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b : approval, esteem
2 a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b : a generally held view
3 a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based"


I placed judgment last because of definition #1 for opinion, but most importantly our love ones and ourselves experience "judgment" #2 & #3 beyond this forum. That's why we've chosen to be apart of a "support community a forum in which their issues and concerns may be addressed by others in similar circumstances and beliefs." and "find support from others who are dealing with, or have been down the same dark road you may currently find yourself, information resources & tools to aid your in achieving your goals, and most importantly, a place to communicate and share your stories."


Honestly, I know after a long period of going through this alone, I'm so grateful that a woman who attempted to receive support from another site lead me here. I don't remember her name to thank her but I believe it'll be return to her tenfold. Otherwise I would not be able to breathe through this experience at all. This is my late-night call to a friend when I need to talk or just have someone listen. This is where I share my joys and fears. When you ask for help for someone "in prison/incarceration" there's no strange looks, just a hand of direction.


So whenever you feel doubt or ill-feelings about being "judged" or "offended" by someone's post/thread rethink it for a moment. We've all come here for the same reason: support.

[Mitch67]

Good post.

Thanks for taking the time to remind us all why we are here and what we have to offer. It's true sometimes you forget and just get wound up in the moment. A gentle reminder is never a bad thing.

[J&D7]

Beautifully written... its nice to be reminded of PTO's purpose

[patchouli]

Thank You..............

[choclgs]

I wasn't expecting very many post to this thread more views than anything. I find it encouraging to read about others experiences in hopes of discovering how to wade through my own. At times it's just disheartening to see a thread "torn" apart when one or all of these three issues come into play because someone read too fast and misinterpreted the OP or someone else's response.

[wvdonovan]

Kudos to you! That was very well put. I found this site doing some research for continuing ed for my bf. We met while we were both incarcerated. It is so nice to have somewhere I can ask questions, or find poetry, or whatever--without "the look". You know the one we all get when we answer the question, "So, where did you meet him?" or "Where is your bf/gf/spouse/child/parent at now?" This site has been a great resource for us, and I truly appreciate it.

[Wobabi]

Originally Posted by choclgs

I wasn't expecting very many post to this thread more views than anything. I find it encouraging to read about others experiences in hopes of discovering how to wade through my own. At times it's just disheartening to see a thread "torn" apart when one or all of these three issues come into play because someone read too fast and misinterpreted the OP or someone else's response.

Again a wonderful thread!!! I agree with the bolded especially.
I think there is much to gain by opening up to other view points, experiences and perspectives,,,what a wonderful way to learn.
I am always attracted to reading posts where people present respectfully ,,, a different side,, a different outlook.
,,, without so many *jump on the band wagon* types of responses all the time. Thats what has helped me.

[aquiltter]

Thank you for sharing this information/explanation of PTO's purpose!