Just curious.Nope.No, they have some at the arthritis centre where I get treated but I think it
might be too depressing. Although I have been toying with the idea of
starting one for local APers, who I already talk to on the phone.
[QUOTE=Gimpy-a-gogo]No, they have some at the arthritis centre where I get treated but I think it
might be too depressing. Although I have been toying with the idea of
starting one for local APers, who I already talk to on the phone.[/QUOTE]
Gimpy, dido for me too. i think a support group may be interesting, BUT more depressing than interesting.
Not me.Yes, I'm involved in a support group. I started an online group support with a few friends that have chronic illnesses and its spread now and there are 20 of us. We meet once a week and each week one person is available to listen or help others during the other 6 days. So I guess we take call 1 week out of 20. Our group consists of people with chronic illnesses, stroke and heart disease. Some of the members don't have computers so they manage to go to another member's house so they can participate in the group once a week.
I used to be the facilitator for a chronic illness group at our local hospital and NO, it wasn't depressing. It was just the opposite, it was uplifting. I have always been amazed and uplifted by what one can accomplish when they are confined to a wheelchair or can't talk. These people have stories, journeys, sadness, and happiness that they share. They are so much more than just their illnesses.
I had one member who was in his 50's and had had a stroke that left him paralyzed, unable to talk, and in a wheelchair. He was a well known musician in the country/blue grass genre. It was difficult to understand him when he talked but he could sing and be understood perfectly. He wrote a song about his journey to recovery and sang it for us one evening. It was incredibley moving and touching. It was the first song that he had composed since his stroke. These are the things that happen in a support group. There are sad times but there are far more happier times. Lindy
Nope, I'm too busy sleeping.
And I'd have to go to ANOTHER support group, for being an addict of a support group. But that sort of just feeds it, doesn't it? Hmm...So what do they do for people who are addicted to support groups?? O.o
HI, I go to a gentle exercise group, PACE, 'people with arthritis can exercise', a lovely group of people, lead by volunteers. We have fun pot luck, lunches and all sorts of support things. LyndaI've checked into it but haven't found one here. They have water excercise classes but no actual support group. Although I do love AI, I think it would be great if there were a local support group where you could meet up once a week. I don't think it would be depressing at all. Actually, I think it would be nice to meet people going through the same types of things, build friendships and even have sponsors to help each other through the tough times. Even with AI at my finger tips I still feel very alone sometimes and wish I had a friend or friends that I could relate to.
Peace & Love....Neasy
Where I live there are no support groups. I would love to go to one but the nearest one is an hour drive away. I would give almost anything to sit down and talk to others that understand what i am going through. Just to sit and cry, laugh, and talk. My mom is the only one that kinda understands. My husband tries, but he is too busy working, my son is 21 and says it is all in my head, my oldest daughter has a new baby and she is so very busy with her life. I guess I am on my pity pot, but I really lonely and scared. My husband says go out and start your own, but most days I can't hardly move.
Sandra
I agree w/you Neasy. I don't know anyone w/RA except online.I actually went to one meeting my local Arthritis Foundation has and I hated it. They were all much older and in pretty bad shape--found it depressing. i run a pain management support group at our local hospital.we go for 6 weeks , 4 times a year. plus i did training through the arthritis foundation as a leader for the moving toward wellness courses.They do not have one in Cheyenne, WY. I know several people with Connective Tissue disorders, but no support group. I would love it because the info sharing would be incredible. It would also give me people to relate to other than online. Of course, I do love relating with you all.I went to a wellness course a few years ago but felt VERY out of place. I was the youngest by about 20-30 years. I had NOTHING in common with anyone in the group and felt very disinclined to share. They were sharing about having done their exercises in their lounge chair 3 days that week. I was trying to figure out how to work 5 days a week and run a family. I haven't tried an actual support group because the only one nearby is on during the day (when I'm at work).
Maybe its still denial but I have too much to do everyday to sit with a group of grans and try to relate. Don't get me wrong, I love older people but to get support for my RA and life I don't find it terribly relevant. Much is due to the age gap but also when they are that age they tend to be much worse off as far as their RA goes. They didn't have the drugs to control which we have. They lived in a generation that is so different from today. They don't face the challenges I face every day. Getting up, going to work, shopping for the family, dealing with kids still living at home, yada yada yada. I don't have the option to take life slowly, have a friend over for a cup of tea, get someone to drive me to water exercise and thats my day, I'm exhausted.
Thats why you guys are for...so many of you are living busy lives and it seems so much more relevant to my life. Our issues are much the same, most of us have jobs or families or both. We are on combinations of drugs and trying to find the right combo. Sometimes I spend time with friends (on my day off) but I don't often share with them about my challenges cause they don't understand, my doctors wife understands and I can relate to her more. She has bad chrones and encephalitis, sometimes we have a tea and support time. Our kids are the same age and have issues that we can relate to. I find I can be more 'real' with her about the RA. If I need to unload I come here and do it (sorry guys). I know people here will understand and offer relevant suggestions of help and ideas. And I don't have to go anywhere to do it at a certain time. I can do it when I can't sleep at night, or during the evening when I'm tired and don't feel like doing anything much or quickly in the morning before I go to work.
Gotta love my virtual community.
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