There are two aspects to this group, one is an open international forum where people can discuss, post information or ask questions on the practice and ethics of neonatology. There are translators available for those posting in French to the forum, but these people are volunteers, so translations may take a few days, hence responses may be delayed. To find the forum click on http://www.mc2.vicnet.net.au/ go to the community index Health and Families, then select NaRF from the list. The forum is available to the public, so there is no need to join the community unless you would also like to access the mailing list. which is for members only
The mailing list is not available to the public. Members who join choose to do so in order to discuss or learn about the more private and personal aspects of living with the life-long process of raising children who do not outgrow their prematurity linked disabilities. The mailing list has no archives apart from those posts the members themselves chose to keep. Unlike the public NaRF forum, any views expressed on the mailing list are confidential and may not be used, quoted or referred to in any way without the direct expressed permission of the author. Anyone breeching this confidentiality will be removed immediately.
It is important to note that the MAILING LIST is not exclusively for parents whose children are handicapped, but here their voice is guaranteed. Any parent or professional who is interested in discussing perinatal ethical issues, recent follow-up information, iatrogenic problems, etc. that others have found disturbing, is also welcome to join. However to ensure that these discussions are frank and supportive, no posting of 'Hollandaise' material is permitted. By this I refer to items such as 'Welcome to Holland', 'How God Chooses a Preemie Parent', or other poems or items which trivialise the living situation for parents facing the life-long struggle of raising disabled children.
To subscribe to the NaRF mailing list, follow the prompts to become a member of the community, then send a brief introduction to bcrothers@bigpond.com which includes your full name, professional interest and/or the details of your child's NICU or your professional position. This information will not be made public and is only given for security reasons.