Archive:Stories: Difference between revisions

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+{{cquote|I used to be a know it all without knowing it all.  Now I can really know it all with Wikipedia.
+Earlier this summer my pregnant wife became ill with a severe headache and fever requiring a trip to teh emergency room.  Initial diagnoses did not reveal anything unusual.  I followed along on Wikipedia as the Dr's scratched their heads, and began down a path suspecting meningitis.  Over the next few hours I became a wiki-expert on meningitis.  It almost seemed as though I was two steps ahead of the Drs since meningitis is not something they see very often, and were undoubtedly doing their own research behind teh scenes.  I was able to "study up" on the  lumbar puncture procedure and was immediately relieved to see that the fluid was clear (a sign of the more dnagerous bacterial meningitis) but concerned by the high opening pressure (which later turned out to be falsely elevated due to incorrect postion (sitting vice prone)).
+To make a long story short, my wife was quickly diagnosed with aseptic spinal meningitis and spent three days in the hospital.  But with Wikipedia at my fingertips, I was able to inform myself and my wife, which helped us better communicate with the Drs, enabling us to ask more informed questions and provide them better information that ultimately may have led to a speedier diagnosis and recovery, to an illness than can be very dangerous if not treated correctly in a timely manner.
+Wikipedia also provided reassurance thoughout teh ordeal since knowledge displaces fear of the unkown.
+Not to mention is kept me (and my wife) occupied during the hospital stay by searching all kinds of interetsing hospital equipment such as the fetal monitoring equipment.  I soon became a closet expert in tococardiagraphy.
+Wikipedia is a never ending rabbit hole of knowledge.
+Thanks so much for the service you provide.  I hope to have time one day to contribute myself. }}
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 {{cquote|I am a technology teacher in an elementary school.  For research, Wikipedia is our primary source of information.  There is no worry about inappropriate material, and the graphics are accurate and interesting. When I come across material on the internet I am unfamiliar with, whether it's a word I'm unfamiliar with or a medical or literary reference, Wikipedia is where I go to learn something new. }}