Autism Mom Rising: International Comment Leaving Week

Autism Mom Rising has a new post showcasing International Comment Leaving Week, which she's kindly letting me repost here.

Autism Mom Rising:



This campaign really gets it - comments are indeed the new hug. Stats feeds tell us that someone landed on our blog. A comment shows it's actually been read and enjoyed. Comments build community around shared ideas and experiences. And, I'll just come out and say it - they show advertisers we have an audience.


If it were it not for comments I'd probably just keep a journal.


Do you leave comments as often as you'd like? Sometimes I do. But reading blogs between appointments and swearing I'll do it later does not always translate into action. Life gets in the way. That is why we NEED International Comment Leaving Week. It actually builds comment leaving into our schedules each month! How easy is that?!

If comments are the new hug then International Comment Leaving week is like giving and receiving a great big cyber bear hug for a week. Here's how it works:



1. Register your blog here


2. Add the code for this in your sidebar (find code at above link).






IComLeavWe: Join the Conversation

3. During the 21-28th each month you are registered go to the master list of blogs each day. Select at least six blogs a day and leave comments. Return at least one comment that's left on your blog.

Some people even aspire for Iron Commenter status, whereby they leave a comment on every blog listed. Iron Commenters get listed on The Wall of Honour . This is only for those who have that kind of time and is certainly not required.

MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH ICLW

September was my first ICLW. I was inspired to participate by my love of community. Mel of the blog Stirrup Queens organizes ICLW because she loves community too. A little context - Mel is to the broader in-vitro, infertility, adoption, miscarriage, infant loss community what Kim Wombles is to Autism with the directory.

Most of the blogs registered were Mel's friends from the broader fertility seeking community. Being one of the few listed from a different community I learned a lot. Those without fertility concerns cannot fathom what these women go through just to have what we take for granted. It reminds me of how parents of typical kids have no idea how our children struggle for milestones that come so easy to their kids. We never know what it is like for someone else until we take the time to listen. I'm so glad I did.

Reading their blogs I felt empathy. Is that strange since I don't share those fertility issues personally? Not really. These blogs house stories of struggle and actualization, from the joys of motherhood to the agony of child loss. I may be fertile but I know grief and loss. My child is still with me, but I did lose my son as I knew him. Of course, this is not the same as actually losing a child, but grief recognizes grief, no matter the degree or manifestation. Such loss splits the heart in a million pieces, then sends them out compassionately in all directions.

ICLW week is electric. You can feel it in the air as people buzz from blog to blog leaving a little dose of positivity behind. My blog had so many wonderful new visitors.

I told Mel what a moving experience September's ICLW was for me. She encouraged me to invite the disability community to join in for October. So far Kim Wombles and I signed up. I hope others decide to join us. You'll be glad you did.

...

Kim: 

I've signed up to do it, and I hope that directory members will also take advantage of the opportunity to build community. :)

More blogs have been added to disability-related blogging lists. I hope you'll give them a look-see. Ah, and let us know of other wonderful blogs we've not found yet!

And to Autism Mom Rising for showcasing this great chance to meet new folks, I give her our Sunshine Blogging Award for this week!