Editor's note:  This is the partial transcript of the first meeting of "The Lonesome Doves," a group of adult FC users meeting several times a year in Pennsylvania.  They have permitted us to reprint a partial report of their conversation, with the words of one person edited out who did not wish those words published.

This conversation, like many that take place among several FC users, may be hard for some readers to follow.  Someone may start writing an answer to another person's question, and by the time the answer is completed, three or four other comments may have been made as well.   Nevertheless, this is a useful transcript showing the easy and generous support that can be a welcome feature of groups such as this one.

Mark/Ann: Afraid of the process of dying - not about what "happens afterward" - "wants support."

Al/Elinor: "Death is painless. There's no way to hurt."

Mark/Ann: "Does Al worry about death?"

Al/Elinor: "Sometimes when he's sad."

Mark/Ann: "But does he worry about it?"

Al/Elinor: "He worries sometimes - he had an awful childhood." "I try not to worry."

Mark/Ann: "Were you ever so sick that you thought about dying , or felt like you were going to die?"

Al/Elinor: "Yes."

Jenn/Kendall: "Typing has changed my life but it's not a cure. Just hate to talk about death. Teases the autism to talk about death."

Matt/Joe: "Death usually has no pain with it. It's got to be when God chooses. Death can be a friend sometimes."

Mark/Ann: "Do they know?"

Colleen/Beth: "Yes - fear of sick - very."

Mary:  "You could think about how other cultures and religions view death ...  Would that be helpful?"

Mark/Ann: "Yes."

Al/Elinor: "Not really."

Jenn/Kendall: "Let's change the subject." "She doesn't like to talk about death."

Mark/Mary: "Jenn looks really good." "He hopes to see her again. He's hoping you can talk to him a little."

Al/Elinor: "He wants to talk about losing support for FC."

Jenn/Kendall: "That's a good subject but then let's talk about making friends." "Mark also looks good and she'd also like to talk with him."

Mark/Mary: (About losing facilitators) "Yes, but what can we do. There just isn't enough interest to do the work. It's a big problem for me. Teases me that nobody wants to do FC with me. Kinky find this discussion but liking."
 
Matt/Joe: "Facilitators are special friends. It takes time to get the hang of it."

Al/Elinor: "Yes. It takes courage and commitment."

Matt/Joe: "It's great every time people try."

Ann:  "Will you type with anybody or do you choose?"

Matt/Joe: "I mostly choose."

Mark/Mary: "Groping for good thoughts but need low light."

(Janet turned out the other bank of lights so the room was quite dim).

Al/Elinor: "I will use FC with anyone who wants to try."

Matt/Joe: "This is a much better light level."

Chris:  Told Al she'd like to try.

Al/Elinor: "OK. I'm a good teacher."

Mark/Mary: "Good intentions are not enough" (for a good facilitator).

Al/Elinor: "I taught many friends at SPIN (Special People in Northeast) but most are gone now."  "He doesn't have much contact with his family so it's especially important to use FC at work and home." "You're lucky (with family). I have new staff often." "He has frequent loss of relationships. He's always training new people."

Mary:  "Other people, like Bill, have the same fear of losing friends sometimes. Bill feels it's sometimes too hard to bother to start FC with someone."

Matt/Joe: "Would like to be friends and talk to Jean. She's cute   Usually shy. Would you like to type together?"

Jenn/Kendall: "Not at this moment."

Kendall: "Not Jean - Jenn - her name is Jennifer but she likes
  Jenn."

Al/Elinor: "I fear losing friends and starting over."

Kendall: "You have great courage. You are a friend worth knowing."

Al/Elinor: "I have great hopes."

Matt/Joe: "Sorry I got her name wrong."

Kendall: "Matt, are you on Internet? Jenn is getting on."

Matt/Joe: "Yes."

Al/Elinor: "He wants to write Bill a letter."

Mary:  "Bill has access to Internet but Al doesn't. A written  letter would be wonderful."

Kendall: "What do you do during the day, Matt?"

Matt/Joe: "Mostly stay at home. But Marla helps me - takes me to the library and helps me there. Looking to ReMed for help."

Al/Elinor: "Needs help to control his body."

Rosa:  "Al, are you OK with me behind you?"

Al/Elinor: "Yeah."

Matt/Joe: "Helps to bang my head but Joe hates it. It feels good when it calms. I find the really helpful thing is quiet and low light. My body often fights with my mind. Can't get my hands to do everything I want."

Al/Elinor: "Really quite distracting. Rocking helps me focus."

Matt/Joe: "I want a break."

(It's getting late, everyone is hungry, and pizza has been ordered.)

Al/Elinor: "You're too strict with me, Elinor."

Elinor:  "I always force him to look. Now we're at the point where he looks all the time. He has to look to be independent."

Beth:  "Any questions for Jenn?"

Colleen/Beth: "Yes. Type with Maureen. [her mother] Scary. My body keeps going crazy. How did Jenn do it?"

(Elinor has to leave at 3:00 for a meeting. Al wants to go with Elinor. He thanked people for "a wondrous time" and wants to meet again. The pizza came. People drifted into the kitchen and out with pizza. Everybody started talking. There was some typing while eating. There were some private conversations. People talked about how they could talk to each other using the Internet. )

Rosa:  "Al, you could e-mail Mary while you're here. Do you want to try it? If you like it, you could come back with Elinor and use our email until you get connected."

Al/Elinor: "Yes."

(Jenn helped Harriet to type with her. Harriet said she's scared to type. )

Al/Elinor: "Trying typing is frightening." "Someday he'll type by himself."

Harriet: "Would people like a copy of what was typed today?"

(Mary asked each person if it was OK to use their words and send a copy to each other. Everyone said yes.)

Jenn/Kendall: "Nice to dine in."

Al/Elinor: "Try, try, try again."

Matt/Joe: "Good idea."

Al/Elinor: "Send letters."

Colleen/Beth: "Copy, yes."

Al/Elinor: "It's easy to type with all of you here."

Harriet: "Jenn, do you wear the bandages on your fingers for any reason?"

Jenn/Kendall: "Yes, I use them for control. An awesome day today."

Jenn/Kendall: "I great feel typing with Rosa and Harriet."

When should we meet again?

Jenn/Kendall: "Very soon."

( Everyone drifted out gradually, saying good-bye to new and old friends.   Many thank-yous and exchanges of how to keep in touch, and a commitment to come together again.)