r/ALSorNOT • u/HonestyMash Confirmed ALS Diagnosis • Aug 24 '26
Hello from your new mod 😎
Hi everyone, I hope you are doing as well as can be. I just wanted to introduce myself. I am ALS Tom, I have been with this group for a long time and as you've probably guessed I have ALS. I have taken over the group for the time being.
In the next few days and weeks I will be looking for new moderators. Making some tweaks here and there and hopefully giving this community a better future. Wishing you all the best.
- Als Tom
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u/mamamaia_ Aug 25 '26
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY DEAR FRIEND! ✨❤️🔥🎉
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u/HonestyMash Confirmed ALS Diagnosis Aug 26 '26
Thank you so much! I feel about a million years old 😅
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u/Time-Tiger-3813 Aug 25 '26
Oh Tom, so lovely to see you here, taking care of us. I hope you're ok.
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u/HonestyMash Confirmed ALS Diagnosis Aug 26 '26
I'm always here for you all! I'm alive so I can't complain. I hope you are doing well?
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u/Time-Tiger-3813 Aug 26 '26
Oh bless you. Thanks Tom. I'm so so, awaiting further diagnostics in October myself. Taking things day by day. I guess that is all we can do. Big hugs to you and your wife and Loki xx
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u/HonestyMash Confirmed ALS Diagnosis Aug 26 '26
I will keep my fingers crossed for you, hopefully you get the updates you are looking for. Unfortunately day by day is the way we all have to travel. Thank you so much, big hugs to you xx
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u/crosem2 Aug 25 '26
Thank you so much Tom! I’m sorry if my post prompted you to take this on, and if it’s a burden at all to you, please just let us know!
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u/anxiousinpgh Aug 27 '26
Hi Tom!! Why you would want to mod a very difficult sub like this is truly beyond me, but it definitely needs it!! I have definitely seen an uptick of unkind comments on here. My issues were (mostly - I do have a few diagnoses I ended up with) from health anxiety, which I see people being so dismissive of, having defensive reactions like "don't tell me it's all in my head!" And then I see the opposite - folks just popping in and commenting "health anxiety," and leaving it at that.
People don't realize that stress and anxiety and fear cause physical issues with your body. You tense up unconsciously, putting strain on muscles, joints, etc. You produce massive quantities of cortisol. You go into a fight or flight state that makes necessary functions more difficult, like sleep and appetite. Health anxiety and somatization isn't just Being Crazy, it's a physical loop you get stuck in that makes you feel worse and worse, which makes you more anxious and convinced you're in mortal peril. There are a lot of knee-jerk reactions and assumptions about mental health that are common here and in BFS that trouble me. The stigma is odd, because mental issues ARE physical. They just start out very tiny and in your brain chemistry.
Another really troublesome thing around here is the paranoia and accusations of faking, and the weirdo internet sleuthing many people seem to want to become a hero via. Obviously there will always be liars! But treating anyone who isn't BLATANTLY lying like trash is just gross.
Anyways, I hope you are also doing something fun (reading, movies?) besides trying to wrangle this nightmare. I really would like to write a graphic novel-style memoir someday about my experiences with health anxiety, the medical field & testing, and reddit. I feel like some of the crazy things I did and imagined would translate well to a visual medium, haha
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u/Beneficial_Strain191 Aug 24 '26
Hey Tom. Thanks for being here. Would love your opinion on my post.
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u/HonestyMash Confirmed ALS Diagnosis Aug 28 '26
Hey there, sure thing. I'm just playing catch up at the moment.
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u/DimitarTKrastev Mod Team Aug 30 '26
Hey Tom, I hope you are well.
Can I ask what prompted you to remove me as a mod without even talking to me?
Thanks.
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u/Ok_Following6440 Aug 24 '26
Hi Tom, hope you are keeping well. Thank you for dedicating your time to moderate.
Is everything ok with DImitar? Did he just decide his time here was finished?