January 11 - Support Groups

While I might be the first to admit that support groups aren’t for everyone, I do highly recommend them. I remember that when my sight first changed, I was quite resistant to the thought of attending such a group. It took me a while to get used to the idea that sharing some of my vision challenges with other people could actually be helpful. I have now belonged to a peer support group for over 20 years and find it very helpful indeed.

Support groups are also a good way of sharing information. Guest speakers can be good, but mostly I like the informal sharing that occurs between the group members themselves. For instance, at our support meeting this past week, one of the members was having trouble with the magnifier she had been using. Suddenly around the table there appeared a plethora of hand held magnifiers pulled out of pockets and purses. Members began talking about the pros and cons of the magnifiers they used. While I can’t use a hand held magnifier myself, (the magnification isn’t strong enough for me), I was able to join the discussion with some comments about my electronic CCTV Reader.

Next month there will be a guest speaker at our group. Janice, a mobility specialist from CNIB will come to our meeting. She will instruct us about the various types of white canes that are available. Janice has come to our group before but since that visit, several of our members have seen the need to use a cane and so it is time for another lesson for us all. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough so that we can practice outside.

I am often quite surprised when new members come to our group. Frequently they will arrive with the comment that they hadn’t known of the existence of the group. I am surprised because we live in a small town and the group has been meeting for over twenty years. Also, we occasionally put articles in the local paper. I suppose that it is like most things. If an issue doesn’t affect you personally, the tendency is to be unaware of it. Because the White Caners Support Group is significant in my life, I have naively presumed that it was important for everyone. 

So now to helpful hints. If you have a problem – vision or otherwise, do give participating in a support group some thought. There are usually national groups that will direct you to smaller local groups. If it is issues with your sight, the CNIB or CCB (Canadian Council for the Blind) are both good options in your quest. Secondly, when you locate a group, take a friend with you to the first meeting. This is helpful not only at the meeting itself, but later your friend can help you evaluate your thoughts about continuing to attend. Finally, do give the group more than one try. Usually membership in support groups is fluid and the feel of any particular meeting can be influenced by just who is attending that day.

I hope that if the idea of becoming part of a support group appeals to you, that you find one that suits your needs. On a personal note, I find the friendship and peer support to be helpful and emotionally healthy. If you aren’t looking for a support group yourself, perhaps you could be that friend who helps someone else.