Never expected to be told off about my dementia on the DU

[Omaha Steve]

A newbie with just over 3 months and 300+ posts on the DU. First I was accused of working for sympathy. In a follow up post I was told I'm not terminal. On the other hand I wish this anonymous person was right.

I expected this from the Cave when I went public over 2 years ago. The Cave wasn't the only site that went there.

Edit to add my post back in May 2015.
When Illness Makes a Spouse a Stranger (can we talk?): https://www.democraticunderground.com/10026641619

OS

[eShirl]

1. Let me at 'em.

[Warren DeMontague]

2. A lot of "newbies" arent so new, i think

Sorry this happened to you. Inexcusable.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

30. Some newbies (joined after tRump inaugurination) are here to stir up trouble. Social media bots. .nt

[Warren DeMontague]

33. More socks than the laundromat and zombies than the walking dead, too

[TeapotInATempest]

79. Not me!

I joined after many years of lurking to preserve what's left of my sanity.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

84. Welcome to DU. This really is one of the saner spots on the internet. . . . nt

[TeapotInATempest]

87. Thanks!

[Omaha Steve]

95. Yes...welcome

[Neema]

90. I had to leave DU for personal reasons, and when I came back I had to create a new account so I

wouldn't be harassed (by someone IRL). So I'm definitely not a newbie even though it looks like it.

Having said that, I would never behave this way, newbie or not. Agree it's inexcusable.

[Gabi Hayes]

3. Double dog FFF that creep!

Union YES!!!!!

[mercuryblues]

4. I love the armchair

diagnosticians. Don't let jerks get to you. Just ask where they got their medical degree. a Cracker Jacks box? Or ask if you can make an apt with them at their medical office as you like their prognosis better than the one that you got and had verified with a 2nd opinion

[Laurian]

5. I am so sorry that happened to you.

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a year ago and we often experience some pretty blatant ignorance of the challenges the disease presents.

I often have to tell my husband to not let uninformed, judgmental people influence his life. We have to live each day to the fullest and not be distracted or discouraged. I wish you only the best.

[Weekend Warrior]

6. Trolls have a very limited ethical and moral compass.

Sorry OS.

[Ilsa]

10. You got that right.

People like that don't belong here, IMO. My guess is they'll be gone shortly, if not already.

[Scarsdale]

20. Very true.

I have found the people here to be very understanding and compassionate. The person doing the mocking sounds like a republican to me. They should keep in mind that old saying "There but for the grace of God go I" None of us knows what is in store for us.

[TEB]

7. Ignorance no sympathy

Sorry this has happened

[we can do it]

8. Sorry to hear that Steve. Lots of mean and divisive idiots here some days.

[gademocrat7]

9. Sorry this happened to you, OS.

Take care and know many here are with you.

[democrank]

11. Sorry you had to go through this.

That newbie has a lot to learn.

[delisen]

12. I have often quoted you over the years.

Your posts have always been interesting to me, and informative.

Thanks for writing about your current experience, too.

I think there are many other members and readers, such as myself, who have benefitted from your posts and your willingness to share what you know and what you are experiencing.

[secondwind]

13. This is just awful... I am so sorry that you went through this... :-(

[skydive forever]

14. My S O has dementia from a stroke

And sometimes peoples ignorance really hurts. But the worst is that even family hardly ever visits anymore. Her daughter, 5 miles away, might visit once a month, and the 3 adult granddaughters, 20 miles away, haven't visited in about a year. Dementia sucks!

[Scarsdale]

21. They will show up

expressing their grief at the end. Asking about the will!

[jimlup]

15. I hope the post was hidden ...

strike one!

How many strikes do you get on this site?

[safeinOhio]

16. Hope tha whipper snapper learns

about Karma.
I flunked my memory test last year. Did a little better on it this year. Google "memory and medications". I went off the statins and changed my antihistamines. Anti depression meds are bad too.
Best of luck my Union Brother.

[Mrs. Overall]

17. So sorry to hear that someone on DU did that to you.

[williesgirl]

18. How awful, Steve. You don't deserve that. Most of us have

The utmost respect and appreciation for you. Fuck the others as they obviously don't have a clue. Hang in there with us, please.

[MBS]

25. + 1000 n/t

[TNNurse]

19. Intolerable behavior.

Though I am no regular here and do not have the history that many do, your name stands out as someone who has contributed in an impressive way. Of course, no one deserves the criticism you mention by someone who does not personally know you. And even then you would expect support and concern. Pretty egotistical and shows a real lack of character on the part of that newbie.

Please continue to share as you desire, most of us will be grateful.

[panader0]

22. That poster doesn't know that you are an institution here Steve.

Peace

[In_The_Wind]

23. Aww, OS. Sorry that happened. We need to call Skittles for an ass kicking.

[hamsterjill]

88. That was my thought, too.

Where is Skittles when we need him?

[In_The_Wind]

91. ...

Skittles is a woman. Maybe she went shopping.

[hamsterjill]

93. Did not know that. Even better!!!!

N/t

[handmade34]

24. there is

enough love and appreciation for you, from the rest of us to hopefully make up for the jerks out there...

[Stuart G]

26. Sorry that happened to you.

[MBS]

27. oh, I had no idea even that you were dealing with this condition, Omaha Steve.

And to have some clueless person pile on . . . so undeserved.
One of those times when a person's (clueless, inappropriate) comments say more about the commenter than the person they're talking about.

You've always been one of my favorites on this board. Wishing you the very best!

[Turbineguy]

28. Many of us will get there

including those who think it's funny.

[LongTomH]

29. Sorry to hear this, Steve. The web has become a swamp, now it's happening to DU.

Take care, friend!

[roamer65]

31. Steve...

We love you!

[DownriverDem]

32. One thing I know

No one knows what is ahead of them and their loved ones. So sorry you had to from such a jerk. The saying "one day at a time" is so true. It doesn't matter your age either. My cousin died at 29 from malignant melanoma. She left her husband and 2 year old son. I remember at the time saying to my Dad, but she's so young. He told me you don't have to be old to die. One day at a time folks.

[rurallib]

34. Can only say I have the utmost respect, love and appreciation for your work here

I actually wonder how you are doing every day.
Try not to let the ignorant fool take any space in your life. You have much more important things to worry about.

Thanks for letting us be a part of your life.

[Permanut]

35. Thanks for posting this..

and wonderful to see all the support you have here.

[malaise]

36. Ignore them Omaha Steve

THey change nothing in your life

Since you love birds remember

Tomorrow Robins will Sing

[PatrickforO]

37. You've had a rough time and I'm truly sorry for that.

Dementia is no joke - it is an awful disease that makes those we love into someone else. My grandfather had it. My wife's mother and father both had it. So I've seen it first hand.

I started posting in DU a couple years ago, maybe. I got sick of HP, where you used to be able to post, but then they censored the heck out of everything anyone said unless it was a one-liner. Now you can't even post there. I hate censorship, and feel that if I have more to say than 140 characters or whatever, I can. Which is why I've stuck around.

You've kind of been a fixture on here, Steve, and I appreciate your threads. I guess I'll say that many of us get to liking each other over time in places like this, and you're one of the likable people here. I wish you both physical comfort and lucidity, and may your spouse be blessed because being the caregiver is hard, as well.

By the way, I haven't seen you 'working for sympathy.' Usually in your posts your condition doesn't come up. And if someone accuses you of that, f--k 'em. They are just ignorant - in the worst way, too - not about an issue, which can be corrected, but about basic human decency, which is increasingly rare.

[Frustratedlady]

38. How sad that you were treated badly. Shame, shame, shame.

DU is supposed to be a family supporting each other, or that is the impression I had when I joined. Omaha Steve was one of the first posts I read...got a chuckle...and mentally made a note that Omaha Steve would be an easy username to remember...we are neighbors in a way.

I particularly enjoyed your articles about animals and the way they impressed you. That guy has to be a gentle soul, I thought to myself. Then, when you brought up ALS, I had another connection, as my husband also gave that disease a royal battle.

Keep the word, "majority" in your head because the majority of DUrs are with you in your fight. You are a good man and I'm happy you are a neighbor of sorts.

[classykaren]

39. These are paid Russians. Let's block them.

[ananda]

40. Sounds like a rightwing troll.

Basically, just ignore.

[catbyte]

41. I'm so very sorry, OS. If there's anything that any of us on the MIR Team can do, message me.

You don't have to take that shit from anybody.

[philly_bob]

42. You have been a consistent progressive, pro-union voice here.

You developed an online personality that was tough-minded and mature, but gentle.

Please know you are respected here.

[SecularMotion]

43. A newbie was rude to you and you make a post to shame the entire website?

[WinstonSmith4740]

52. Really?

I don't think Steve was trying to "shame the entire website". We're a family here...one of us was being disrespected and bullied. If you didn't read his linked post, please do so. My mom dealt with this awful condition. I think Steve was just making us aware of some of the BS he has received from obvious trolls, and those assholes need to be exposed and banned from this site. And yes, maybe venting a little. He has the right to do that...we all do it from time to time. You've been here for a while. We support each other. Steve didn't need some newbie troll dressing him down because a)they have no heart or soul, and b)they felt they had the right to tell him how to deal with the bullshit he was facing.

[Omaha Steve]

59. Where do I shame the DU???

I mentioned exactly what one newbie said and never blamed the DU.

[SecularMotion]

63. Read your title

The proper response would be for you to contact MIRT or the Admins over this matter.

You don't gain any of my sympathy from your public display of faux shock over your being "attacked" on DU.

IMO you should have been banned after you posted the image of Hillary as Hitler.

[BannonsLiver]

66. "IMO you should have been banned after you posted the image of Hillary as Hitler."

Wait. What? Hitler? That happened?

[BannonsLiver]

70. Damn, that's hard core.

[Omaha Steve]

72. My account was NEVER suspended and I apologized in public!!!

I posted an apology to the DU & the individual I blamed for causing my reply!

It has been in my journal all this time: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10027245608

OS

Edit to add it looks like 210 DUers accepted my apology. You apparently aren't one of them.

[BannonsLiver]

74. This is the first I've heard of it, Steve.

So it's not really a matter of accepting or not accepting, okay?

[Omaha Steve]

75. OK

[obamanut2012]

73. Yes

[Eliot Rosewater]

80. R U kidding, he did that?

[Judi Lynn]

69. O.S. has always had the complete respect of the people who've read his comments for years.

Your decision to post your remarks in critiquing his posts runs contrary to his value to this community.

Clearly, taking the time to grasp what you have done would benefit you if you can ever recognize your total lack of good judgement in trying to take a kick at Steve, and make points for haters.

[niyad]

83. wow-- you have been here long enough to know that OS did no such thing. so why make

such a statement?

[raging moderate]

44. Your verbal ability is still impressive.

Those people are probably just jealous of you.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

45. Sorry to hear this

Nobody should be treated like that for any reason *hugs*

[left-of-center2012]

46. Best wishes to you

Two doctors diagnosed me this year with 'vascular dementia'.

There's a good support group on Facebook.

VASCULAR, ALZHEIMER'S & MIXED DEMENTIA SUPPORT & INFORMATION

[grantcart]

47. I don't understand why but your post has made me very sad.

Its odd isn't it how humans bond. We have never met in person but over the years have read and appreciated you, your work and your humanity even at the times I didn't agree with you which was a small percentage of the time.

I will be thinking of you often.

Eventually we all face the tough fight against our mortality, I hope that I have as much dignity and grace as you have shown. I look forward to many more encounters in the time you have left.

Thanks for being Omaha Steve.

You are the best Omaha Steve I ever met.

[demmiblue]

61. Beautifully said.

Omaha Steve is a truly gentle and compassionate soul... that is what I think a lot of us connect with.

[hlthe2b]

48. We love ya, Steve. Ignore the creeps

[oasis]

49. Stay strong.

[ms liberty]

50. Love you, Steve. Those trolls need to bleep off. n/t

[RKP5637]

51. Sorry to hear this!

[heaven05]

53. mean times

just keep waking up every day, after that it's all gravy, whether sweet or sour....I feel you....

[ucrdem]

54. Steve may you live long and prosper

but I agreed with the jury on that one. I don't think offense was intended.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

55. Hi Steve

Wish you well and good to hear from you!🐶

[lunamagica]

56. Just a mean-spirited troll. Ignore those prople

[stevenleser]

57. The other site you mentioned is likely where the low post troll originated

We should avoid mentioning them by name, like most internet trolls publicity is what they want. They are too lame to get it any other way.

What I find continuously reassuring is that people who do what you described are on the other side of the political aisle.

[CTyankee]

58. Oh, dear god. I am experiencing memory losses myself, probably due to age (I am 77).

I care for a disabled husband. We struggle every day.

I cannot fathom why this should happen to you. But I am glad to hear from you.

Best...

[Oubaas]

60. I Hope...

I hope that whoever upset you learns a little more about sensitivity, whether or not the offense was intentional. And I hope that things go as well as they can for you under your circumstances. I have dual foci temporal lobe epilepsy as a result of injuries sustained in the military. It changed me, and sometimes people don't understand me very well, or treat me very nicely, either. I hope you don't encounter anymore of that sort of thing. I know that it's not fun, even when no offense was meant. I wish you well.

[sinkingfeeling]

62. So sorry, Omaha Steve.

[LiberalArkie]

64. There are people and I guess there will always be people who can only feel that they are

important, or worth the oxygen they breathe in by tearing down others.

In these days they feel that they must push down those who do not have what they have, be it looks, money, prestige, power, big home, etc. As someone who has been the receiving end most of my life I now know how empty those people must been.

I now look at things differently as I approach my 70 year old mark. I managed to out live just about all of them. I would imagine that you can say the same Steve. Karma can be a bitch sometimes.

These days when I get something tossed at me like that, I just look back and wonder how the other person will feel when karma walks up to the other person and slaps them in the head with a 2 x 4.

[LeftInTX]

65. I'm sorry OS

[riderinthestorm]

67. Unfortunately there's a streak of hatefulness and cruelty here

I'm so sorry.

[emulatorloo]

77. Take care, Steve. Don't let these trolls get to you.

[Bleacher Creature]

78. Unfortunately, there's bound to be some bad apples in any large group.

That applies even to DU, despite it being intended to bring together with progressive views.

I'm really sorry that you were the one who had to deal with the crap. I've always considered you to be one of the most consistent and clear voices here, especially on labor issues, so I'm not sure what that newbie was even talking about.

[matt819]

81. That's truly fucked up (nt)

[niyad]

82. Give me a name, Steve, and I will deal with that scum.

how are you doing today? you know that you and marta are always in my thoughts and prayers.

[Omaha Steve]

85. Doing much better than my prognosis said I'd be at by this time

Marta & I are just fine.

[niyad]

86. glad to hear that. I was just rereading your linked post, glad we still have you with us!!

[hamsterjill]

89. Sometimes, Steve, you just gotta let the assholes be assholes.

Not easy, of course, but they are going to be what they naturally are.

So, my hope is that you will pick yourself up, dust yourself off, read these positive comments from people on DU who care about you, and go and have yourself a good weekend.

You put a lot of good into this old world, and don't you EVER let anyone tell you otherwise.

[Skittles]

92. that is a fucking troll

tell him to go fuck himself

[phleshdef]

94. Point me in their direction, I'll gladly take some hides over that kind of asshole shit.

[DefenseLawyer]

96. Don't sweat it, man

Ignorance, meanness and general stupidity abound at every turn. As my mother used to say "Consider the source" and don't give it a second thought. Keep fighting the good fight.