Jen’s Posterous

I had to think about what you said overnight. My tendency is to respond quickly and with strength, in both my answer and the absolute nature of how I think and feel about an issue. Medically accurate? Nope. Scientific? Not often. True to self? Usually.

I've tried to do this post, and this issue, the honor due the conversation by employing unusual restraint.

Bryan - I'd say it's near impossible for me to answer that question for anyone but myself. I cannot possibly pass judgement on whether or not it's "smart" for another person to disclose detailed personal information online.

I can only share, from a highly individual perspective, that in my healing process, I have found it invaluable to both share and peruse personal health information online.

It is from a post sharing personal health information in a detailed fashion online at mybrokenleg.com that I learned about how snap-on Adidas basketball pants could help salvage my dignity by snapping on around an external fixator.

It is from a post sharing personal health information in a detailed fashion online that I learned about Regina Holliday and her husband Fred's struggle to access his medical records, but more importantly, of his battle to live (and die).

Both stories, and many others (Dave, Andrey, Kate, Jenae) have informed my own illness and recovery trajectory, and yeah. To me, as a locomoting, forward-moving, backwards-reflecting person engaged in healthcare still, disclosing personal information online about my illness and injury, even if I see *RISK* or *WARNING - YOUR INSURER OR PROSPECTIVE INSURER MAY BE READING THIS* is just part of paying it forward.

As a result of sharing my personal health history online, I may have problems in the future I can't forsee (insurer writing exclusionary policy for Celiac's, my right lower leg, etc).

But, from personal experience, which is, let's face it, all many of us have got to go on, I may also be sharing one tiny tidbit of meaning somewhere in there that changes someone else's trajectory. And if their outlook is any brighter, if they see anything of value via self-identification, then the risk - to me - is worth it.

Again, that's a personal perspective, and I wouldn't dare assume that others feel the same (or will act in the same vein). I just think the blanket statement about self-expression in social networks as it relates to health "not being smart" assumes too much.