Support is a critical piece to understanding and dealing with spasmodic dysphonia. The Internet serves as a valuable resource to people with SD who would like to communicate and share with others who have the disorder. These "on-line" services act as a support network which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Bulletin Boards
The NSDA operates a bulletin board for members and others affected by spasmodic dysphonia. Dr. Robert Campbell maintains the bulletin boards as webmaster. The NSDA Executive Committee appoints the moderators.

Since 1994, the Bulletin Boards have operated to encourage people with all forms of dystonia - particularly those who do not have access to an "in person" support group - to share their experiences and frustrations. It provides a forum to ask questions, seek advice, and just enjoy the company of others who are experiencing similar symptoms. In the bulletin board format, a person can post a message and others respond to it. Archive and search functions of past postings are also available.

To learn more about the Spasmodic Dysphonia Bulletin Board:
http://www.dysphonia-bb.org/forums/sd/

In addition to the NSDA website and the bulletin board, there are several other on-line resources available to SD patients. The NSDA recognizes, but does not sponsor these activities:

Spasmodic Dysphonia Support on the Internet
Since 1996 a small team of volunteers, including Dot Sowerby, Doris White, and David Barton, have used the Internet to contact several thousand individuals who have spasmodic dysphonia.

To learn more about the on-line support services, and to join an email list for announcements and updates about SD, you can visit:
http://www.spasmodic-dysphonia-support.org/

WE MOVE Chat Room
WE MOVE Chat Room for Spasmodic Dysphonia: A chatroom specifically for SD people has been set up on the WE MOVE web site. This is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All that is required is a web-browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. The link is http://www.wemove.org/chat.html

AOL VoicesChat Group
The AOL Chat Groups are held on Sundays at 4:00 p.m. EST. To participate in these chats, use AOL and click "People Connection." Click "List Chats." Click "Private Rooms." Type "Voices." Click "Go" and you will be in the chat room. Doris White (DORISMA2@aol.com)coordinates the chats and can be contacted for more information.

NSDA Internet Committee
The NSDA recognized the importance of on-line activities and established an Internet Committee to better serve the needs of affected people.

International Communications Directors and On-Line Support Group
David Barton
Auckland New Zealand
Dsbarton@ihug.co.nz

Internet Coordinator
Dot Sowerby
Greensboro, NC
Dsowerby@aol.com

America On-line Chat Coordinator
Doris White
Stoughton, MA
DORISMA2@aol.com