Question:
Starting a local support group

Anyone have any material or suggestions for starting a local support group? I thought about asking our community center if I could reserve a room, put a note in our local shopper and see what happens. I would like some format or any suggestions. You can email privatley or post to the group... maybe others would find it helpful too! My email is [email protected] -Peggy    — Peggy N. (posted on May 3, 2001)

May 3, 2001
I belong to a non Surgeon sponsored support group, and we do much the same as Barb's group in that we go around the table and introduce ourselves and where we are in the process etc. but on how to get one started, you might be able to get a room at the library (which is where we meet) as well for a no cost. At the meetings we answer questions and talk about a topic such as plastic surgery, fluid intake, protein, the like. We also have just started a clothing exchange (thanks KimB for taking that ON). I would suggest to check out the peer pages here as well and e-mail ANYONE that is within a reasonable distance of where you want the meeting to invite them to join your support group. It is a great way to make some friends and share your journey. I wish you the best!
   — blank first name B.

May 3, 2001
I live in a large city and was really surprised to find that we had no support group. So.....I started one and it's been WONDERFUL!! The first thing I did was go to the "Meet Local Peers" section and pull up the whole state of Alabama. I went through every patient in Alabama checking to see if they were within 90 miles of me. I compiled an email list of all the folks that were within 90 miles and sent out an invitation to them. I manage an apartment complex so we are fortunate enough to be able to have the meetings in our clubhouse. We do much the same as the other folks such as introduce ourselves, ask questions, share happiness and occasionally disappointments, etc. I feel that I've developed many great friendships from this. My husband and I have also started visiting the folks in our group when they have surgery. This is SO rewarding. People thank us for coming but we really should be thanking them for allowing us to come!!! We now send out about 200 email inviations a month and so far have almost 50 people who've been to our meetings. Sometimes we have had as few as 8 at a meeting and last time we had over 30. It's a means of support for us, the patient, but it's also a wonderful means of support for our families. We are starting a local websight, considering a clothing consignment sale and are having fliers done to provide to physicians in our area. We are even working on having local surgeons speak to our group. I say GO FOR IT!! It's quite time consuming but you'll never regret starting a support group!! Good Luck to you.
   — ronascott