This comm is new. It's not anything in particular yet. The idea was that fans with chronic illnesses could use somewhere to talk openly.

Sure, we all have friends-lock and filters. But sometimes when I go to post something that relates to my chronic illness, I find myself looking at my filters and having no idea who to include. As another friend with a chronic illness put it, a lot of us are probably on the down low, and I don't want to shut myself off from anyone who might empathize. But I also don't necessarily want to do the total share thing with people I've friended primarily for their fic.

I often end up posting nothing. Because I like using el jay to fake normal. Because I don't want to come off looking pathetic to the currently-abled. Because it would take too much energy to explain, and I don't feel like explaining. Because talking about being chronically ill makes me vulnerable.

With other People With, I don't worry half so much about being judged or misunderstood. When we stumble across each other in fandom and get to talking about our health, I often find they know what I mean right off, and I know what they mean, even if we have different illnesses. It's freeing; it's comforting; it's a relief.

Hence, fandom_is_sick. All members can post. (Membership is now moderated to prevent sketchy or spambot journals from joining.) After this, I'll set the default security back to members-only; post as you like. (You must join the comm to read or post.)

ETA: There is now a rules post to read once you join. Don't worry, it's very short.