A beginners disclaimer

[Guest guest]

I must begin my relationship with this group with an expressed concern that I

not be interpreted as too insensitive even if I appear so. I am a

correctional officer in a county jail. I lock people up for a living and

routinely inflict pain on other people. I am necessarily a tough person. Not

mean, for these things I do in the course of earning a living and according

to law. I do not enjoy the pain and misery, and indeed strive to limit both

as much as I can. We who do this job are generally good people, but not

necessarily nice. Nice people can't do what must be done.

In the few hours I have been on this list I have seen much suffering, and I

know this is just the little a few words can express. I have already shed

tears, and know I shall do so again. I also am very grateful that my

experience with this disease has been but small. I hope to tap the wisdom and

knowledge many of you have gained through much suffering to prevent suffering

on my own part. In exchange, I hope to offer something of support, though

this is not a part of being human at which I am very good. Along with

learning to bear my disease I hope to learn to bear the suffering of others.

I wanted to let you all know that I am a bit of a novice in this, so that any

awkward attempts on my part are understood as sincere, if not very good.

So, let my education begin. How does one offer support to those who suffer?

We cannot take away the pain of others, nor share it that their burden is a

bit less for a while. With this medium, we are not close enough to help in

any physical way, and few are wealthy enough to use that power to help. What

can I do that is a help?

Lockridge