POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: jm1953 on August 11, 2012, 09:03:26 pm
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Guess us long term survivors are kind of left out in the cold when it comes to support groups. I've seen one or two of you have been fortunate to find one, but in big cities. I live in a large city too, but nothing like NY, LA, SF, and maybe San Diego. Found more support when living on a small Hawaiian island with a population of only 75,000.
For those of us who watched so many of our friends die in the 80's and early 90's and then ourselves become infected, how can newbies relate to this. There now seem to be a stigma amongst HIV people where we just don't all connect like we used too. I love this forum because I can interact and share experiences with other Long Term Survivor's that get it. But it would be great to have actual face to face interaction and friendship with some in my city. The ASO here is ineffectual. And the docs can't really divulge their LTS patients I assume for confidentiality reasons.
Love to find a group even if I had to move. If you have any ideas or experiences along these lines, please let me know.
Best,
JM
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Hello Jim,
I do not know anything about Seattle but if there are any gay bars that have bar guides you might find a listing of local groups. Maybe you could run a blind ad asking about it or maybe suggesting to start one. I am not sure if there is even such a group where I live.
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Yes, I have belonged to a local LTS support group for the past six years. It actually began as a group sponsored by Roche for Fuzeon users, but once new meds came out all of us went off Fuzeon and continued the group as LTS, since kind of by definition anyone on Fuzeon was going to be an LTS. The group is rarely more than six people in attendance, but then again 3 people passed away in a 12 month period recently.
This is in Philadelphia, which is a metro area of 6 million, and that's all we can get to attend. Good luck trying this anywhere smaller.
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I can relate, JM. I tried a local HIV support group here in KC and found it was run like a seminar, not a place to rap and give support. I was severely disappointed.
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Start one yourself. Go to the Center in Seattle and post a notice or whatever it is they allow you to do to get word out. You may have to settle for a small start and make sure anyone who shows up...keeps doing it.
Saw that you have http://sasgcc.org that lists support groups. One called Ageless might be a good place to find other LTS'...couldn't hurt to check.
Good luck...
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I wish I had the time for a support group, but unfortunately I don't
we have something here in ABQ called "Meals & Meds" they ever serve Dinner
if they still even have it, I kinda doubt they do, with all of the recent cutting of
AIDS funding going on :-[
Hugs
DEN
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I wish I had the time for a support group, but unfortunately I don't
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What keeps you so busy, dear?
You have to make time for things that are important to you.
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What keeps you so busy, dear?
You have to make time for things that are important to you.
;) Your right, Henry, I'd really have to call you or PM you, to explain why I'm so busy with life as of late, but then again, I'd be making more excuses....thanks for your very kind insight and words of wisdom, it's appreciated more than you know ;)
Hugs
DEN
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Not to Henry: that means he's not really busy
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Start one yourself. Go to the Center in Seattle and post a notice or whatever it is they allow you to do to get word out. You may have to settle for a small start and make sure anyone who shows up...keeps doing it.
Saw that you have http://sasgcc.org that lists support groups. One called Ageless might be a good place to find other LTS'...couldn't hurt to check.
Good luck...
Never thought of this. Great idea. I'll check it out. Thanks a bunch!
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Not to Henry: that means he's not really busy
Awww... poor baby, what's the matter, you jealous cuz I reached to dear old Henry and not you.... I met him in D.C. and I thought he was a very nice chap, I don't even know you, cause you didn't even show up @ AMG 2012
Why don't you go drunk dial the Wumpette, if your feeling lonely :-*
Hugs
DEN
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Now Dennis,
I'm taking this opportunity to remind you that Philicia is recovering from some recent foot surgery (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=41314.msg545094#msg545094) so you couldn't have expected him to try and attend this year's AMG.
Can't you just show a bit of support for your fellow LTS on this forum ;D
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And where were you what's your excuse ;D If go to this, I expect everyone to attend , the more the merrier
amiright ;)
Hugs
DEN
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For me this forum is my LTS support group. Yes I would like a physical one and will again start a search when I get back to London. I have thought about starting one but I am so unreliable now I hold off.
And therefore continue to contribute to my own dilemma.
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Yep, this is my support group.
There have been times when I don't know what I would have done without it.
Hey Dennis, I am sending you a PM.
HUGS,
Mark