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Hi Peggy, I know support groups can be great. I do think that to say a support group is a "must" is too prescriptive and presumes we all need the same thing. Every one of us lives with this disease the best we can, and what works for one person may be wrong for someone else. Of course, it would be helpful to define "support group." If you expand the definition outside a formal group that meets at such-and-such a date, place, and time, then I'm with you. This list is a support group. Any individual fellow traveler with whom I exchange encouragement and experience is a support, if not a group! So are my non-PD friends and family. "Love, support, and understanding" get us all through. You say you didn't go back to the support group you started attending for a year after your first visit. If you wouldn't mind, could you say why? Kathleen 2008/11/16 Peggy Willocks <[log in to unmask]> > Kathleen > I don't know you or your situation but your response bothered me. True - > support groups may not be for everyone. They are not for those who want to > do this battle alone. They are not for those who like to share their > experiences with medications, treatment or little hints that make life > easier living with this disease. They are also not for those who want to > remain functional and contribute to society (especially the hope for a cure > or at least better treatments). > > I know I sound sarcastic, but to say it is "wrong" to see what happens in > the advancement of a disease says two things to me: > 1) You are in denial - PD WILL come out the winner if we don't face our > opponent squarely, and > 2) Ignoring the advancing of PD sends a very bad message to the advanced > patient and his or her caregiver. Do they not count for anything? Do you > not want support when you get to that stage? > > If your visit to a support group was bad (and I didn't go back for a year > after my first visit), then try to do all you can to make the group better. > > In my opinion, the love, support and understanding of the friends I have > met > around the world is what keeps people going. > Peggy > > -----Original Message----- > From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathleen Cochran > Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 10:01 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: I have just been diagnosed with Parkinson's > > I believe support groups are not for everyone and can be counterproductive. > A positive attitude is of paramount importance in living with this disease, > and support groups can undermine that. It's next to impossible to look at > someone whose condition is worse than yours and not imagine that this is > your future. That is not only dispiriting, but also wrong. PD is > notoriously > variable in symptoms and progression from one person to the next. You can't > predict based on someone else's experience what your course will be. > > That said, some people thrive on support groups. > > I also think those who love and care for PD patients may benefit from > support groups at least as much as patients do. > > Kathleen > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto: > [log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn