My first response :-)

I received the below email yesterday from someone who found my blog and took the time to write to me. I wanted to share it with you too.

Hi Kate,

My name is Tom Cummings, and I run a blog called http://www.cyenne.com. I write about problem gambling, the poker machine industry, the politics that go along with it… that sort of thing.

I came across your blog on the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre website, and I think what you’re doing is brilliant. I come from the other side of the fence; I’m a former problem gambler, and that’s my motivation for what I do… just as your experiences are yours.

To be honest, when I started my blog, I didn’t mean to become something of an activist in this area… I wanted to write about my experiences, the pain I felt and the pain I caused, what I learned… but I couldn’t do it. It was too painful, and I started developing an interest in the way the industry was run. One thing led to another, and my blog became more of an investigative website.

But originally, what I wanted to do is what you’re doing. Sharing experiences and thoughts, helping others by example. All the more reason why I admire what you’re doing; it’s something I couldn’t do.

If you don’t mind, I’d like to put a write-up about breathliftlive on my blog, and include a link back to your site from mine. I think what you’re doing deserves more visibility, and I’d like to help with that.

Let me know; I won’t do anything about it until I hear from you. Either way, I wish you all the very best with breathliftlive; I see it’s still relatively new, but it has so much potential.

Cheers,

Tom Cummings
http://www.cyenne.com

If you’re affected by problem gambling or if you are a problem gambler, take a look at Tom’s blog, it’s well worth the look. Thanks for writing to me Tom, I truly appreciate it.