After months and months of threatening (or trying to convince myself!), I finally started a low key support group for those in my hometown area. I am amazed at how uneducated people are about their scoliosis and there are no support groups here. My doc feels there is a huge need and has been asking me for a couple years to consider it. I finally feel I am up to the task, at least physically, now that I am almost a year post op.
I have been prcrastinating, afraid of setting up a formal group and having it get out of hand, and to be honest, end up just babysitting negative people. And I didn't want to start something that would get too big, too political, too much to handle on top of going back to work full time. Especially if I used a meeting room in conjunction with the hospital support groups, like I considered. I also know it can be difficult for so many people to find time nowadays to get out and attend meetings. I didn't want to commit to something and have to quit if only a few people attended. I would hate to let down the people that DID come to meetings.
I felt that a support group with regular meetings to adhere to would also be too confining for me, since I am going back to work full time in a few weeks. We also like to travel and do some volunteer work, so I'm afraid of spreading myself too thin. But I still feel driven to help others, especially those who are seeking information and answers.
I envisioned something with no pressure and no mandatory time commitments, just people giving time and support whenever they can or are able to.
A lot like this forum, to be honest.
So I decided to start a FB page for local support and resources. I believe it will be an easy way to keep in touch with people. I can give personalized support without being bound by timelines and meetings; yet still throw together special meetings now and then. We can have discussions on the wall, and even meet each other for coffee if we bond with someone. I have enjoyed doing this for some of the forum members with the personal messages. I hope to use the FB page in the same way, as a way of sharing information and sending people in the direction they need, and to encourage them to become proactive in their care and do some research of their own. Knowledge truly is power! Of course, this forum will be my most highly recommended site!
Wish me luck! It feels good to do something positive for others. I promise I won't forget the forum... If you are interested, look it up under Scoliosis Support of Central Oregon.
I have been prcrastinating, afraid of setting up a formal group and having it get out of hand, and to be honest, end up just babysitting negative people. And I didn't want to start something that would get too big, too political, too much to handle on top of going back to work full time. Especially if I used a meeting room in conjunction with the hospital support groups, like I considered. I also know it can be difficult for so many people to find time nowadays to get out and attend meetings. I didn't want to commit to something and have to quit if only a few people attended. I would hate to let down the people that DID come to meetings.
I felt that a support group with regular meetings to adhere to would also be too confining for me, since I am going back to work full time in a few weeks. We also like to travel and do some volunteer work, so I'm afraid of spreading myself too thin. But I still feel driven to help others, especially those who are seeking information and answers.
I envisioned something with no pressure and no mandatory time commitments, just people giving time and support whenever they can or are able to.
A lot like this forum, to be honest.
So I decided to start a FB page for local support and resources. I believe it will be an easy way to keep in touch with people. I can give personalized support without being bound by timelines and meetings; yet still throw together special meetings now and then. We can have discussions on the wall, and even meet each other for coffee if we bond with someone. I have enjoyed doing this for some of the forum members with the personal messages. I hope to use the FB page in the same way, as a way of sharing information and sending people in the direction they need, and to encourage them to become proactive in their care and do some research of their own. Knowledge truly is power! Of course, this forum will be my most highly recommended site!
Wish me luck! It feels good to do something positive for others. I promise I won't forget the forum... If you are interested, look it up under Scoliosis Support of Central Oregon.
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