Community Guidelines
Creating a safe, kind, and supportive space for every kidney patient, caregiver, and community member.
Our Kidney Story is a community built on compassion. To keep it safe and helpful for everyone, please follow these guidelines.
1. Be Kind and Respectful
We're all here to support each other.
Please:
- 💬 Use polite and respectful language
- 🚫 Avoid judging or criticizing others
- 🤝 Be patient with new members
- ❤️ Show empathy and understanding
- 🙏 Respect different opinions and experiences
Kindness makes our community stronger.
2. No Medical Advice That Can Harm
You may share your personal experiences, but do not give medical instructions.
❌ No prescribing medicines
❌ No telling someone to stop or change treatment
❌ No "do this instead of seeing a doctor" advice
Always encourage professional care.
✔️ You can share what worked for you
✔️ You can share questions, tips, and experiences
✔️ You should advise others to consult a doctor for medical decisions
3. Protect Your Privacy (and Others')
Do not share:
- 📞 Phone numbers
- 📍 Addresses
- 📋 Full medical reports
- 🔒 Private personal information
- 📸 Photos of other people without permission
- 🆔 Social security or ID numbers
- 💳 Financial information
Share only what you are comfortable with.
4. No Misinformation
Posts that spread false, unsafe, or unverified information may be removed.
This includes:
- ⚠️ Fake cures
- ❌ Wrong treatment claims
- 🚫 Misleading medical content
- 📢 Unverified health claims
- 🔬 Unproven medical theories
- 💊 Unsafe medication recommendations
If you're unsure, ask instead of asserting.
5. No Promotions or Selling
This is a support community — not a marketplace.
❌ No promoting your products
❌ No selling medicines
❌ No business ads
❌ No posting affiliate links
If you want to recommend a useful product for the community store, there is a built-in option to suggest it.
6. Be Supportive and Encouraging
Many members are going through difficult times.
Please:
- 💚 Offer empathy
- 💪 Share motivating words
- 🤗 Be understanding of emotional posts
- 🌟 Celebrate small victories together
- 💬 Provide words of encouragement
- 🤝 Stand by members during tough times
Even a small message can make a big difference.
7. Report Harmful or Suspicious Content
If you see something that:
- ⚠️ Looks unsafe
- 🔍 Feels suspicious
- 📋 Violates guidelines
- 💔 Causes harm
- 🚫 Is abusive or spam
- 📢 Contains false information
- 👤 Harasses or bullies others
- 🔐 Shares private information without consent
Please report it. Your report helps us keep the community safe.
8. Respect Moderators and Decisions
Moderators help protect the community.
Please follow their instructions and respect their decisions when content is removed or warnings are issued.
9. No Hate, Abuse, or Discrimination
We do not allow content that targets anyone based on:
- 🏥 Illness
- ♿ Disability
- ⚧️ Gender
- 🕌 Religion
- 🌍 Race
- 👴 Age
- 🌈 Sexual orientation
- 💼 Socioeconomic status
- 🌐 Nationality or origin
- 📚 Education level
Everyone deserves a safe space.
10. This Is Not Emergency Help
Our Kidney Story is not a medical or emergency service.
If you experience:
- 😣 Severe pain
- 😮💨 Breathing issues
- 💧 Sudden swelling
- 📊 Extremely high blood pressure
- ⚠️ Any dangerous symptom
- 🩸 Unusual bleeding
- 🤢 Severe nausea or vomiting
- 💊 Medication reactions
- 🫀 Chest pain or heart palpitations
- 🧠 Confusion or loss of consciousness
Please contact your doctor or visit the nearest hospital immediately.
Together, we protect this community
Every member plays a role in keeping Our Kidney Story safe, positive, and helpful.
Thank you for being respectful, kind, and supportive.
If you have suggestions to improve these guidelines, we'd love to hear from you.