Re: Have you ever been to a support group???All Lupies

April 10, 2004

In LUPIES , " mariy220032001 " <mariy220032001@y...>

wrote:

Hello everyone, I would like to know if any of you ever been to a

support group, and what was it like.

Hi Mariy,

the answer to your question is yes. I am a co-facilitator at my local

support group. What we do is mail a meeting reminder card to each

member in advance. The card announces the topic for the next meeting.

We usually arrive 30 minutes early to set up the literature and books

table. We offer names of Doctors, Attorneys and free literature. We

also sell the newest books that the LFA and Lupus Alliance recommend

at a discounted price. All proceeds go to them. Many times a

representative from the Lupus Alliance will attend the meeting. We

are currently selling butterfly pins that our group will wear to each

outing that we attend.

The meeting usually last for an hour. We begin with a word of prayer,

announcements, and welcomes. The facilitator will then proceed with

the topic of the day. Our topic usually consists of a video, guest

speaker, or literature. The final 30 minutes are spent for group

discussion. If there is a new member, she is usually given the first

15 minutes to speak, but there was one time where someone has come

that is so devastated that they have spoke for over an hour needing

to vent, cry, and ask questions. Fortunately our location is run by

understanding individuals whom at times sit in on our meetings and

can see why support is so very important.

We also schedule outings to workshops that are offered. We are

scheduled to attend the 4th annual loops for lupus bike ride on 4-18-

04, I am registered to attend the annual spring meeting on 5-01-04,

and world lupus day festivities on 5-10-04. These events will take

place in lower Michigan.

For me personally, the local support group has been a way to

establish new friends that I know are totally understanding to each

others limitations as fair weathered friends begin to taper off. It

has also been a way to live and become active again when I may not

have done so otherwise. Most importantly, I have learned a great

deal. The online support groups also offer the same great benefits.

respectfully, qscholar

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