Listen to this story…In 1997, Sona Mehring’s friend endured a difficult pregnancy and gave birth to a 1-pound preemie named Brighid. While mother and daughter were hospitalized, Sona took on the task of keeping friends and family updated about their condition. But she soon found it too time-consuming and stressful to do conventionally, so she created a website where everyone could read about the latest developments. This became the hub of information and support for mother and baby. Unfortunately, Brighid died in surgery nine days later, but the website was so successful it gave Sona an idea that has since helped millions around the world.
CaringBridge.org (which derives its name from Brighid) is a sort of virtual hospital room where visiting hours never end. Friends and family can stop by anytime to read medical updates and share messages of love and support. In CaringBridge’s 12 years of existence, more than 170,000 websites have been created, allowing an estimated 20 million families to stay connected and informed during health crises. In fact, it’s proven so effective that hospitals and even businesses are using it as a patient and employee resource.
How does it work? As with all great ideas, it’s very simple. Just follow the prompts at CaringBridge.org to create your website, personalizing it with design options and up to 51 photos. The service is free and no advertising appears on your site. As the creator, you decide who has access to it by e-mailing them the link. There are also various privacy settings you can choose, and the sites are nonsearchable so you don’t have to worry about sensitive medical information being broadcast across the Internet. Whenever you update the site, those who’ve subscribed receive an e-mail letting them know there’s been a new development.
What’s truly wonderful, though, is the almost magical way in which a community gels around the person in need. It’s a coming together of good wishes, hopes, stories, and support that not only makes family and friends feel better but the patient as well. And that’s powerful considering there’s research linking social support with a healthier immune system. Studies have even found those with strong social ties have lower death rates than those who aren’t as connected. So if your loved one is capable of reading the website too, it just might give her the strength to pull through.
Even if you don’t need this service now, bookmark it for when you might. Or, if you currently have a friend or coworker who is going through a tough time with a family member, suggest it to her. (CaringBridge even supplies prewritten messages you can send so you don’t have to stress over choosing the right words or sounding as if you’re interfering.)
This goes beyond bright flowers and get-well cards!
Comments from Members
What a wonderful idea. I can't imagine how comforting and helpful this would be. I don't need this service now but will definately keep it in mind should I have a sick family member in the future. This would have been so helpful 13 years ago when my grandfather had alzheimers.
Tis is a wonderful idea and a caring & sharing one especialy through the contribution of a personal sad experience.
It can also be used to keep family members in touch with each other in happier situations. One family I know used it when they had the mom in Columbia for a month for baby adoption and the dad and other child and extended family in the states.
My friends use this with their ill son. It is really helpful for the parents to get the updates out to everyone and I think it is useful for them to put some of the issues spinning around in their head in textual form. I t is a good record of their experience and I appreciate staying informed.
It can also be used in happier situations. I know a family in the U.S. which adopted a baby in Columbia. This necessitated a one month stay in Columbia for some members. They could keep in touch through Caring Bridge.
I have been on the receiving end of Caringbridge for updates and such. It was/ is a wonderful service however difficult the time. I love taat even though my dear friend has since passed her family is still able to add to her journal. The healing process of Sharing thoughts and memories has been a blessing for me. I live far away from this family but because ofCaringBridge I was right there.
Have used this web site and just love it! It's a super way for a community to keep a sick child and their family in their prayers....also a great way for friends, family and even near strangers to let those effected know that they aren't alone.
We are using this website now. My brother in law had a series of strokes and heartattacks. He is at home, but all along the way my sister and myself have kept family and friends updated to his condition/progress. We were going to stop leaving messages in the journal, but so many balked at the idea that we have decided to keep it going, even if it is only weekly instead of daily updates. It is a wonderful site, please visit if you haven't yet and look around. It can be used for so many things. I am so grateful for the volunteer at the hospital for giving me the website addy so I could get it going.
This is such a wonderful organization. We have used it for both of my son's open heart surgeries. It really helped us endure the weeks of sitting in the pediatric intensive care unit when we were hours away from home in a strange city, without the of ability friends and family to be close. We were able to update everyone through the website on a daily basis, and in turn people could offer support without feeling like they had to pick up the phone and call. I can not say enough how gratetful we were for the Caringbridge site!
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