Tuesday 10 February 2015

Selfies

I searched out my companions, who were lost in crystal canyons. When the aimless blade of science slashed the pearly gates
Thrasher - Neil Young

A couple of interesting discussions about self-help/ support groups

This morning, I chance upon One to One on Radio 4, where Charlotte Smith is talking to Sarah O'Donoghue, about self help groups. Sarah's son Charlie died in an accident. Charlotte has a rare and potentially fatal incurable illness called Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (or LAM). Sarah's story really strikes me. She talks about the difference between "professionals" and people who have "been there". And about the space and strength that a support group can give. Upon going online to find you the link, I discover that this is the second of two programmes. In the first, Charlotte was talking with Gill Hollis, who set up a self help group for people with LAM. They are both well worth a listen - and chime with a few of the things I've talked about recently on DialM.

Charlotte Smith meets Gill Hollis
(One to One, Radio 4, 3/02/15)


Charlotte Smith meets Sarah O'Donoghue
(One to One, Radio 4, 10/02/15)

I'd like to say a big Thank You, at this stage, to Phil and Scotty, who set up the myeloma under50s group, which has been invaluable to me.

There's a bit of a "Why Don't You?" * element to all of this, of course. Support is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Time, now, to turn off the PC?

* For those not of my generation: "Why Don't You?" was a children's TV show in the 70s and 80s, with a theme song that asked "Why Don't You Just Switch Off Your Television Set and Go Out and Do Something Less Boring Instead?"

2 comments:

Lorna A. said...

Interesting post. We have tried several times over the last few years to set up a group at our hospital, we were the only two apart from our CNS who turned up, six months in a row. I think people prefer the anonymity of the PC!

I loved WDY, but can't remember ever doing anything.

Alex Bicknell said...

The under 50s is my support group really. I've only ever met a few other mmers face to face. The internet is a wonderful thing.