Nope-- not the same. I wish.
On the other hand, I do also believe that SOME specialty online communities that serve as a support network for those who lives life as misunderstood minorities within their "real" lives-- that an online community can be a very valuable tool in coping.
I run one that functions that way-- I've known some of those parents since 2000. I've met some of them in person, and I consider one of them a close friend, even. They are ALL exactly who they present as in that forum. But that's a unique situation, much like this forum is-- everyone is there because of a shared life-challenge, and it's one that places us under a lot of stress and is isolating IRL.
