Mr Paul Marks Founder of the COPD/E Online Support Mailing List
Paul cut the strings of management of these lists in 1999 because it just became too much for him to try to handle full time employment, administer the Alpha 1 family of online mailing lists, and this family of lists too. He did so with great reluctance but even as he cut the strings, he asked to be kept on the list of individuals authorized to administer the lists in the event there was some kind of emergency need. Paul passed away today, February 2, 2000, not as a direct result of COPD, but because of heart failure. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family. We all owe Paul a debt of gratitude. For me, that probably means some extended years to my life. I am sure that others also owe this same debt which can never really be paid. I suppose there is a place where such caring and selflessness is rewarded. Thank you Paul - you are a class act!
Bill Powell,
When Paul decided to begin an email support group for anyone with COPD, little did he realize that he was opening the door to almost 1000 people. He wanted so much to give everyone a place to exchange experiences and make a friendship that would help them through the emotions both good and bad of having a disease. He remembered very much what it was like to be diagnosed with Alpha One and have no information and no one near that had the same disease. In his dream, he made so many friends that they can�t be counted. May Paul look down upon us with a smile as he realizes that his dream is alive in those 1000 people. They are committed to helping others as Paul has helped them. Personally, I found a really good friend in Paul. We met on the Alpha List, as I was a caregiver for an Alpha and I was on the list to get more information. After a period of time, someone told me that I should see Paul�s new list. So I joined the list and began helping people as much as I could with questions from a caregiver�s point of view. I don�t know why but Paul approached me to become more involved behind the scenes of the list. I said yes and he began training me right away. With so much contact through email, we became really good friends. He was very understanding of the stress and emotions of caregiving. He always realized when I was depressed with the emotions of caregiving and when I had a problem. Words just aren�t adequate to express the friendships that are built through the Internet. It is as close as having a friend next door. He was very proud of his family. That was one of the things in common that we talked about in our writing. His love of his family mirrored my love for my husband; so we had a good understanding of each other. I know that he is not gone completely because he left all of us with memories of friendship, kindness, and consideration for others.
Elaine Rester |
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