After meeting so many wonderful people over the last couple of weeks of doing this fundraiser, who have just been diagnosed (or at least within the last couple of years), I realized that maybe I should start up a support group in my area for people who are newly diagnosed.

I know I mentioned this the other day, but I think it would be a great thing to have. I have had many people who have MS and their family members mention that they feel very overwhelmed. It is hard enough to wrap your mind around being diagnosed but there is so many questions to go along with it. Where to go for information and/or help? Who are the doctors in the area that specialize? What if my insurance company won't pay for my meds....how do I get them? I feel like between my experience with MS as a patient and my experience working in the medical field that I can really help people.

I have found that this online community is a great help. Not everyone feels comfortable talking about their experiences online, heck it can be even more difficult in person. I would hope that we could create an atmosphere that allows us to come together and discuss MS if one would wish, but also to have a place to come and just be okay with being a "member of this club" if you will. MS can be a very lonely diagnosis if you don't have a support system. Most people have a support system within their family and friends, but sometimes it can be difficult for them to relate and so it is also important to have people who can relate because they are going through the same thing. I guess I will just have to see how it goes.....I think it is important that everyone is comfortable!

So, if you are reading this and you live here locally (Richland, Pasco, Kennewick) let me know if you would attend a support group if I were to start one. I think it is important that we each live our own lives and not get so wrapped up in our illness and so maybe meeting once a month would be appropriate. Whether you live here or not, please leave me a comment and let me know about any experiences you have had with support groups (I want to hear both good and bad). If you have any suggestions on how to make this the best experience possible, please let me know. I hope to hear from all of you.....especially if you live here locally.

Take care.
Jaime