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For us, we have many varied capabilities and therefore varied
needs for keeping in touch with the world around us. We
know that COPD tends to make hermits of many. Unfortunately,
that tendency also contributes to a diminished quality of life.
Many have had the
unfortunate experience of loosing track of an e-mail friend or
loved one, only to find out later that they have been very ill,
in the hospital, or worse. Some of us who live alone have
also found ourselves in the unfortunate situation of winding up
in the hospital due to an emergency with no means to contact our friends and support lists. Two parts of
program has been setup as a way to help eliminate some of these
problems and fears. Lastly, we tend to withdraw - cutting
our social ties and friendships, either through our own
decisions
or unfortunately due to others either not able to recognize the
seriousness of our condition, or their inability to cope with it.
To counter this, we have developed the
following three part program:
- A members list of COPD patients who wish to
register, providing contact information which
will enable the administrators to find a patient who has
suddenly disappeared.
NOTE: No information from that master list is
ever made public. Only the program
administrators have access to it.
Example: Mary suddenly stops visiting
chat, or posting to the message
board. An administrator would be the person who would send
emails and/or make phone inquiries.
Example: Bill requests contact
information for Charlie.
We simply would
pass on the request to Charlie. It
would then be his/her decision to respond. Bill would
never be given the information directly.
- We have established a contact only list, as
a supplement to the members list, for those who
live alone, and wish to have a place to "check in" on a
regular basis. The value of this for
those living alone has proven itself for years. Though
we can not provide emergency contact,
we can inform family and/or friends to have them check up on a
person. The list is checked
on a regular basis. If a person does not check in that day, the steps
are as follows:
1) An email reminder is sent to the
individual.
2) After a short time to allow for a response, a phone call is
made.
3) If the phone call step fails, the emergency contact person is
notified.
Note: The member list information must also be completed.
The daily check in is fast and simple:
More Information
- To encourage friendship, and
continued contact between COPD patients around the world, we are establishing a "Pen Pal" program.
NOTE: Information provided for the pen pal
program is available to all. For your privacy
and security, we suggest
that you consider not using your permanent email address
and not using your full name for
the public listing.
This program is NOT:
- A substitution for your regular support structure.
- A replacement for any lifeline or other programs available in your particular area.
- A primary means of obtaining emergency care in times of need.
You should call
your emergency services!
(911 or go to the
emergency room etc.)
- A substitution for our other programs, such
as the regular lists, message boards or chat rooms.
If you have questions about this program , please contact us at
KIT@COPD-International.com
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