Saturday, January 26, 2008

A SUPPORT GROUP ON THE NORTH SHORE

WHY:

We need a support group because it is a very difficult job living with chronic pain. Pain is a very solitary experience that has many myths, misunderstandings and misconceptions associated with it. No one else can feel our pain, and pain is a unique emotional and physical experience. There are no tests or x-rays that can show pain, so pain is what the person says it is. That is a very new concept for many health care providers to grasp and many pain sufferers teach pain facts to their doctors.

Because pain affects every part of our lives and our families’ lives, it is very important to have a support system. Pain can be overwhelming. We all need to have a plan ready to use when the times occur that we are pushed past our limits. Often chronic pain sufferers think of suicide as a way to end the suffering. It is not that they want to die; it is just that there is a need for relief from the pain.

HOW:

We can form a group that meets regularly, in a comfortable and safe environment. It is very comforting to know that we are not alone with the daily hardships of living with chronic pain. There are ways to change our body, mind and environment to make chronic pain manageable.

OBJECTIVES:

We can meet together and decide what the most important issues are and arrange to have experts come and speak. We can benefit from the comfort and strength that comes with sharing with each other and the realization that we are not alone with the struggle. It is a good place for friendships to develop.

WHERE:

Mollie Nye House

940 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver.

Map http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=CA&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&addtohistory=&cat=&address=940+Lynn+Valley+Road%2C&city=North+Vancouver&state=bc&zipcode=

WHEN:

Sunday February 24, 2008

2.30 to 4.30 pm

REGISTRATION AND QUESTIONS:

Please send your registration for this meeting Feb. 24 and any questions via email to heather.divine@chronicpaincanada.com

AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 24, 2008:

  1. Introductions: We will introduce ourselves.
  2. Goals of a support group:
  3. How will we achieve the goals:
  4. What are the next steps: