Despite the fact that I'm pretty involved in online social networks, including Facebook, LinkedIn, numerous blogs and forums, I've come to appreciate a whole new type of niche social networking that serves a very specific - and often short-term - purpose.
I'm referring to CaringBridge, an online source that enables people to set up a personal, customized web site to facilitate support from loved ones during an illness or accident. Using a journal format, you can keep friends updated on your condition, treatment and recovery. In turn, subscribers to the journal can share their encouraging words, comments and insight.
Last week, one of my dearest friends lost her husband of 17 years to a brain tumor at the age of 51. Phil was diagnosed 18 months ago and his wife immediately set up a CaringBridge site to keep his many friends and colleagues up to date on what was happening. I'm so glad she did. Over the past several months, I've learned so much about him, not just through their daily experiences shared online, but through the comments left by friends, some of whom dated back to elementary school.
Regularly, new pictures were posted and stories told about what it was like to go through the roller coaster ride that became their daily existence. We readers shared the emotional ride too and learned a lot in the process, not just about the disease, but about them. When you have literally dozens and dozens of good friends and family members, this is a great way to keep everyone informed without having to do it one-on-one.
CaringBridge is free to users, supported purely through donatons, which come from individuals and corporations (including hospitals and healthcare entities). When Phil died, his wife asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to CaringBridge so they could continue to provide support to others in need of such services. I considered it an honor to donate in Phil's memory.
But in Phil's case, the social networking extended beyond CaringBridge. Even the funeral home that arranged his visitations and memorial service used an interesting social networking platform. A page was set up on the chapel's site and friends could leave messages, which many did. There was even a way to upload photos of Phil and share stories. What a wonderful way to celebrate his life!
Both of these sites offer ways to create a permanent product from the entries, such as the Caringbook, a hard copy publicaton of the patient's CaringBridge web site. The funeral home offered a CD of the pictures and messages.
Boomers have been quick to embrace technology, including social networking sites, and I predict they'll be the ones to keep these specialized niche sites going. Facebook is fun. LinkedIn is productive. But a site that lets you experience life when it matters most is truly special.
