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writes: I wanted to take the time to say a bit about how Dear Cupid has had a positive impact on my life.Well, I first joined this site in April. I had some free time on my hands, as I had to give up my demanding college course so I could focus on recovering from an eating disorder. Life was still pretty hectic, as I had lots of appointments to attend, and I was undergoing a series of tests to see what, if any, damage I had done to myself. My dreams of doing some work experience as a support worker went down the drain. It was either I slowed down and allowed my body to rest, or I would be put into hospital. So, I agreed to cooperate with the health workers.Which left me wondering; how would I be able to help people now? For so long, I have wanted to help people. But it seemed impossible. Then I started to think about magazines, and how they have “agony aunt” columns, things like that. I wondered if I could find a way to get into it. So I searched Google...and found DearCupid. I thought the site sounded too good to be true. After a quick look round the site, I joined. I thought, “That’s it? I can really help people now?” It seemed perfect. From that moment, things just progressed...This site has helped me in so many ways. It has given me a sense of worth. I feel like I can contribute in some small way, that I can be useful. And being able to help other people is brilliant, being able to reach out to others and offer support and guidance.I have had some positive feedback while I have been on the site, both from other agony aunts, and from the people I try to give advice to. It really means a lot to me. I know this might sound silly, but I suppose I feel respected here, and accepted for who I am. I have always felt like an outcast in life. I try, but I never seem to fit in. I never really feel like I belong. Except for on this site. For the first time, I really do feel like I have found a place for myself, where I can be me. And I feel like I am doing something right, something worthwhile.My dietician asked me not long ago what it is that keeps me going. I see her once a week, and my mom is a great support. But, she said, I could have gone into hospital where I would have had round the clock support. As it stands, I only have one hour a week with her, and I don’t see my mom very often. So what keeps me going? My first thought was that she underestimates how valuable herself and my mom are to me, and how much they really do help, even if I don’t see them much. My next thought was, DearCupid. That’s what helps keep me going, this site. That’s how much it means to me.I did once ask a question myself here, and I got some great responses. One person’s response was very powerful to me, and really got me thinking about my situation, how I had got here, and how I could move forward. That person inspired me to write my first article on anorexia, and that was a great release for me. So I have been on the receiving end of advice too.I also find myself looking at things differently now. Sometimes, when I am in a difficult situation, or I just don’t know what to do about something, I stop and ask myself, “What would people on DearCupid say to me? What would I say to somebody else in this situation?” It helps me to look at things differently, to find new perspectives.I’m not entirely sure why I am writing all of this! I think I just wanted to say it really, to say how much this site means to me, and how much it has done for me. I guess I also wanted to say thankyou. Thankyou to the other agony aunts and uncles on here, who have helped me, and make me feel respected, accepted, and like I have some value. Thankyou to the people who turn to me for advice with their problems. I don’t take that lightly, and I feel honoured that people would trust me with their personal problems and circumstances.Oh, but mainly, I guess the biggest thanks would have to be to Andrew! Without him creating this site...well, we wouldn’t be on here now would we? And we wouldn’t be able to reach out to so many different people and make a difference. I’m sure a lot of people probably feel the same way about this site as I do. Thanks for reading this. I think, as well as expressing my gratitude, I also wanted to make a point about how, through helping others, we can also help ourselves. :-)
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reader, anonymous, writes (7 August 2009): your reputation speaks for itself. Your score and your answers are strong.... you know this inside you are good. - Use this ability to change yourself into what you want to be.
you are always better than you know! Don't think!
You know the answers already really.... go do!
Star.x.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 August 2009): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionAgain, thankyou for your lovely responses. Star..I've been thinking a lot over the last few days about what you said. How when I wonder what the other aunts would say, I'm really wondering what I would say. Got me thinking...
justme...thankyou. There are a lot of people on this site that I wish I knew in person! But just to let you know, you hold a special place in my heart, because you was the first person on this site to add me as a friend when I first joined! There I was, all alone and lost...until your friend add. So thankyou! xxxxxxxx
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reader, justme..x  +, writes (6 August 2009):
 i agree with all the other posts - wow thank you for that, I found it really touching and moving. In my opinion you are one of the best aunts on here; I know you've certainly helped me a lot, but so many others too. I think to have helped that amount of people is amazing :-)
Well done, and also such a huge well done for overcoming your anorexia
(and can i add a soppy PS: this may sound weird, but I wish I knew you. From all your many answers and that article, you just sound such a lovely person. :D)
xxxx
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reader, Fifteen  +, writes (2 August 2009):
wow that really touched me. im so glad you found this site, you really are a huge help to a lot of people, never forget that! x
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reader, anonymous, writes (2 August 2009): Samantha,
you are one of the truly great aunts on here - you know enough of the world that both evil and stupidity never sleep.
you have learnt your lessons the hard way and choose to benefit others rather then keep them to yourself. Be proud of what you achieve here - helping one person should be enough.... Here you have helped potentially hundreds of thousands (if you don't believe me do the maths on unique visitors yourself).
Be proud - and when you look and say what would the aunts say- remember you are really saying what would Samantha say.
Star.x.
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reader, anonymous, writes (31 July 2009): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThankyou missymalone and sofiamorgan! Honestly, whenever I feel like life is just getting unbearable, thinking about the people on this site helps keep me going... x
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 July 2009): amazing, i wish to thank you for some of your answers to my questions that ive posted theyve been a great help :D its great how this site where a lot of people have never met from every culture and creed from every country and no-one discrimates if your white orbalck a lwayer or a roadsweeper can post a question and whitina few hours they have objective, often great advice and lets be honest on dearcupid the aunts (and uncles) have laid out their soul because we dont judge we all probmore about each other than best friends do because we dont have to worry what people will think. so once again thanks a lot for your help x
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 July 2009): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionOh, thankyou everyone! Wow, I wasn't expecting all of that!
Sincerely Yours, I know what you mean, I sometimes think it's a shame that we will never get to meet the other agony aunts on here in real life. But still, at least this is something, better than no contact at all!
Again, thanks to everyone who replied. x
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 July 2009): wow...you are awesome.
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reader, anonymous, writes (27 July 2009): Thank you Samantha. You know, soemtimes i wish so badly that the people on this site could move and be next to me. All my friends chose their drugs over me when i had my child and i've had trouble finding good people. But seriously, the women and men on this site ARE good people to me. They CARE about other people which is why they're here. And peopel who care, is not somethign i've seen much of in my nineteen years on earth. I wish that we could all be friends in real life. I really do.. but that is but a distant dream i suppose..
I applaud your recovery and strength and i hope that you will be a fully healthy and satisfied person one day, both with yourself and with your life.. and the people in it. You are one of the sweet girls on this site, who reaches out to people.. who isn't afraid to like someone. I appreciate that. Goodluck.
~Sy.
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reader, eyeswideopen +, writes (27 July 2009):
 That was sweet. Now get back to work...so many postings, so little time. :P
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reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (27 July 2009):
 *wiping tears* Wow, that's an amazing and moving testimonial. Also a story of personal triumph, what a wonderful thing to have conquered your anorexia.
I know you do good work here and help people more than they realize!
Well done, you. Hugs.
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reader, anonymous, writes (27 July 2009): Once again I am stuck for words! Literally!
You've been very brave to tell us how you're feeling, with this and the other excellent articles you have written.
I think many of us here are glad that you did find this site, as you give great advice and seem like a lovely lady! You're very accepted for who you are here, and I think you are in real life too - You just have to see that :)
Well done for progressing as much as you have done in your battle against anorexia, and I think Andrew, us and the OP's are very grateful for the time and effort you have put into this site!
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