Hi,
Just wondering what are peoples thoughts on going to ms groups? Part of me really wants to go, but I’m scared by it (does that make sense)
hiya mm
i understand what u mean. can i just point out something from a different view? i joined my local group several yrs ago when i was an active member. now i am one of the ‘fairly’ disabled ones and i would hate to think that i scared/put people of attending/joining. i am still the same person inside its just my ‘shell’ that acts differently! i fully understand what u are saying but everyone is different with no way of knowing how we will be in years to come. live for now-the future will take care of itself whether u worry or not!
ellie
Thanks Ellie
I think when I went to ms life, it opened my eyes to that we are all different, and yes none of us know what’s around the corner.
I think what scares me the most is putting myself out there with other people who have ms and I really don’t know what to expect. I have visions of people getting together and talking about how they feel, that’s not for me. (Maybe i just watch too much telly lol)
hiya again
expect the unexpected! thats not a flippant answer-its helps me get through each day/adventure
and the fear of something tends to be worse than the actual doing…
ellie x
Hi,
If my MS Group members talked about how they felt or banged on about MS all the time you wouldn’t see me for dust.
We meet up in the local pub and talk about all the normal stuff like mothers in law; holidays; what to cook for tea tomorrow. The advantage for me is that everyone understands that we have to go home at 8.30 and sometimes can’t find the right words etc.
It’s very relaxing to be with a group of people to whom you don’t need to explain things and who understand when you topple over and send all the drinks skittering to the floor!
Jane
ditto jane!
There’s a group that meets in the pub here, organised by one of the MS nurses at my hospital. I was like you & put off going for ages. Eventually I plucked up the courage and went though, and am really glad I did - they’re a great bunch and I’ve made some good friends out of it in only a short space of time. I guess the only advice I can say is you never know until you’ve tried it. If you don’t like it for whatever reason, then that’s fine, but at least you’ll know instead of always thinking ‘What if?’
Go on, be brave…
Dan
Hi,
I guess a lot depends on the local group. i am sure they are all different in someways. I know a few people that go to some about the country and they find them really useful. Even down to financial help.
I suppose it depends on your personal situation and if you are a joiner or not.
i went to my local group once and they were a very friendly bunch of people but it was perhaps not right for me, at that moment.
My advice, take the plunge and go see. You have to try things.
I am sure I will be back to my local group at some point, perhaps not at the moment.
All the best whatever you decide.
Paul
I went once - was put, off not by the pwms, but by the ones who were running things - they didn’t have m.s. Found them a tad patronising.
try your nearest ms therapy centre.
they are usually in the cities and you’ll probably have to travel but they are well worth it.
i go to the one at trafford, manchester.
we have hyperbarric oxygen therapy and there are lots of different therapies on offer.
partners and family members are made welcome so usually get to meet them whilst their partner is having a therapy.
one wife waits for her husband whilst he has HBOT. she has started to have a massage whilst he’s in the tank.
loads of coffee, cakes and chat.
carole x
Thanks for everyone’s feedback. I think I do want to give it a go, its just making the first step. I can be quite shy in new situations. But I’d like to join, be nice to make new friends too, I’ve lost some close friendship over the past year since I got DX a year ago.
I volunteered for the Olympics, and found that easy to do something so huge, but this feels different. I guess I need to encourage myself to make the first step.
I know exactly what you mean Minnie. I was dx almost a year ago and had some contact with my local group for info. They were all very supportive and friendly, but I couldn’t bring myself to go to a group meet-up. I think it was partly that attending was admitting the ms, but I also think that it just wasn’t the right time.
I have been thinking about going to the next meeting for a few weeks now. It seems that the right time is about now, so need to give myself a kick up the backside and get on with it, before I wuss out.
I will if you will…(whenever you are ready of course)
Let me know how it goes.
N x