To those who are concerned it may undermine the forum, your concern is legitimate and reflects your commitment to the forum, but let’s please give it a chance. We can then look for evidence, because otherwise we would be killing something based on speculation that might be of value to many.
People participate in support groups to offer and seek support.
Let me share my own experience.
Until Covid, I used to drive a half-hour to the Minneapolis VA Hospital once a month to join in a veteran’s PWP support group. I made some good friends in that group, which has since been canceled, but with whom I still periodically meet (outside of course.)
I’ve met 4 HU people in person. Jim C. and I and our wives meet a couple times a year and I am so appreciative of that. I can’t tell you how nice it is to sit and talk with someone else with PD who really understands, because, as we all know, unless a person has PD, they cannot possibly know what it’s like.
An online support group will allow many to form real relationships with others. It is likely the same will happen, that is, some people will trade email addresses and phone numbers and over the course of a year or two, some will meet in person.
Perhaps, most important, a significant number, most likely the vast majority of PWP are socially isolated -- which cripples both the spirit and the body. This may offer their only or best opportunity for social engagement.
An online support group is almost like meeting in person and the better we know each other, the more effort we make to help each other, the stronger the bonds of the community.
marc