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Author Topic: New support group in Pa.  (Read 4791 times)

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Offline klassykitty

  • Member
  • Posts: 379
New support group in Pa.
« on: July 23, 2011, 08:51:11 am »
Since Lancaster Pennsylvania has no HIV/AIDS support group a friend and I have decided to start one.  We figured there are groups in York, Harrisburg and Philly but none in-between.

If you are in the area, or if you know anyone in the area that is interested in joining let me know.  I unhid my e-mail so if you want to email you can.

Also any tips, help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

We also need a name for our group, we would like to be  more then just people meeting and having a bitch session.  So suggestions for a name are welcome.

Thanx and have a great day

Michelle 8)


How to handle stress like a dog:
If you can't eat it or play with it.....
then pee on it and walk away

Diagnosed 01-20-2011
01-23  CD4 32    VL 125,400
02-18        76     VL 189
03-14  no cd4 test done   VL-52
04-14   69  VL-UNDECTABLE  YEA!!
05-26   50  whoopsy  
06-27   71        %-7
08-15   64 WTF %-9 
10-16  80         %7  
2012  CD4  %Thing   VL-UD
01-18  87    7
04-18  93    8  
07-16  151  8         
10-18  83    9    VL-70
2013   CD4   %thing       VL-UD
01-28  121     9
04-24  148    11   
07-25  157    11   
10-22  185    13
2014   CD-4  %thing   VL-UD
02-07 201 YEA!!!!!!  12
06-03  205      12

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 09:07:24 am »
Great idea, Michelle!

However, you may want to keep your email hidden. Guests won't be able to see it anyway, so you might as well just ask people to send you PMs instead, where you can give out your email address only to people you trust and won't have WWs from the Am I forum pestering you via email to get around the rule that they cannot use the PM function for this type of activity.

You might ask at your local ASO and clinics etc if you can put up flyers announcing the group. You could start an email account specifically for the group, so you can use that as a contact point instead of your personal email account.

Good luck!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline wolfter

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  • Posts: 5,470
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2011, 09:08:03 am »
Sounds great.  We don't have any support systems anywhere close to us.  
Positive Relections has a nice ring.

Greg
Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2011, 09:11:33 am »
Sounds great.  We don't have any support systems anywhere close to us. 
Positive Relections has a nice ring.

Greg

What's a relection?
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline wolfter

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,470
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2011, 09:55:47 am »
What's a relection?


Sorry, I lost my trifocals last night and am using a giant magnifying sheet to read.  I meant reflections.
Being honest is not wronging others, continuing the dishonesty is.

Offline klassykitty

  • Member
  • Posts: 379
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2011, 08:37:11 pm »
I already have 2 e-mails, we are using the other one.  I contacted our ASO already they were the first people contacted after our doctor.  When we decide on a name and what night/day to meet we are making posters and putting them in the colleges, and the hospitals and other doctors offices.  We are trying to get a room at the big hospital in town, it is right across the street from the ID Dr. office. 

I am disappointed in the churches that have told us they won't allow us to have meetings there.  But then considering this area it's not surprising,  and some of the bars are hesitant about letting us put posters in them.  We've also contacted the pride organization here.

I like Positive Reflections.  I think we will pick a name the good ole American way, put them in a hat and pick one out.
Michelle 8)

How to handle stress like a dog:
If you can't eat it or play with it.....
then pee on it and walk away

Diagnosed 01-20-2011
01-23  CD4 32    VL 125,400
02-18        76     VL 189
03-14  no cd4 test done   VL-52
04-14   69  VL-UNDECTABLE  YEA!!
05-26   50  whoopsy  
06-27   71        %-7
08-15   64 WTF %-9 
10-16  80         %7  
2012  CD4  %Thing   VL-UD
01-18  87    7
04-18  93    8  
07-16  151  8         
10-18  83    9    VL-70
2013   CD4   %thing       VL-UD
01-28  121     9
04-24  148    11   
07-25  157    11   
10-22  185    13
2014   CD-4  %thing   VL-UD
02-07 201 YEA!!!!!!  12
06-03  205      12

Offline leatherman

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  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2011, 09:26:40 pm »
I already have 2 e-mails, we are using the other one. 
You might want to use your email for the initial contacting but after deciding on a group name changing to a new email acct that reflects this name. consider it like a business account/email. You could create this special acct for your group at yahoo, hotmail, gmail etc. (ie positivereflections@yahoo.com) By using a separate acct like this, you and your personal emails wouldn't be connected (which would remove your personal acct from spams and/or harassing msgs) and in the future if you give up "chairing" this group, whoever takes up the mantle can take over this email acct as the acct is connected to the group and not to you.
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline emeraldize

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,397
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2011, 07:03:00 pm »
This is great news to read  -- best of luck to you finding a meeting room and additional support.

Offline klassykitty

  • Member
  • Posts: 379
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #8 on: July 25, 2011, 02:41:48 pm »
That's a good idea about the e-mail thing.  I'd also like to make a thingy on facebook when we have it all ready to go.  Will let the other girl do that,   I have a hard enough time wanting to sit if front of the computer, of course with pictures of guys without shirts and puppies it's much better.  :D

I checked at the Y and they want to charge us,  I just thanked her and left.  Other then that most of the places I've checked with have been nice and have to talk to whatever committee or person they need to.

Michelle :)


How to handle stress like a dog:
If you can't eat it or play with it.....
then pee on it and walk away

Diagnosed 01-20-2011
01-23  CD4 32    VL 125,400
02-18        76     VL 189
03-14  no cd4 test done   VL-52
04-14   69  VL-UNDECTABLE  YEA!!
05-26   50  whoopsy  
06-27   71        %-7
08-15   64 WTF %-9 
10-16  80         %7  
2012  CD4  %Thing   VL-UD
01-18  87    7
04-18  93    8  
07-16  151  8         
10-18  83    9    VL-70
2013   CD4   %thing       VL-UD
01-28  121     9
04-24  148    11   
07-25  157    11   
10-22  185    13
2014   CD-4  %thing   VL-UD
02-07 201 YEA!!!!!!  12
06-03  205      12

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,593
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2011, 04:52:02 pm »
a thingy on facebook
check your inbox for a PM I sent you about fanpages (that's the thingy on FB you were talking about), branding graphics, and advertising suggestions  ;)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline emeraldize

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,397
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2011, 04:58:40 pm »
"We are trying to get a room at the big hospital in town, it is right across the street from the ID Dr. office.  "

KK - I think this is your best bet to pursue particularly if this hospital houses ID docs treating people with HIV.

Is there a CAB you could become a subset of? I would think that would be a much easier path to pick up support and new members.

Em

Offline weasel

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,906
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2011, 11:21:19 pm »


      Good luck with your support group !

      We  HAD   a wonderful  group going in Cape Giradeau , Missouri .

       It has disbanded without any fanfare  ::)

     Seems   A few  got the impression "THEY " were the  group .

      I am sad for this to happen .  Everyone needs support now and then .

      I'm glad I still Have the Poplar Bluff  Group , We stick together for the most part  :-*

     I think a place where people feel no one will know why they are there is best for location .

     If people are nervous about  parking they will not come .

                                                      Wishing you luck ,   
                                                                                 Weasel

                                                   

     
" Live and let Live "

Offline Buckmark

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  • Would you like to tie me up with your ties, Ty?
    • Henry's Home Page
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2011, 11:32:52 pm »
Michelle,

Thumbs up to you for starting a support group.  You'll find many posts here about people being unable to find a support group.  The best solution is what you are doing:  starting one yourself. 

Best of luck to you -- I hope it goes well!

Cheers,

Henry
"Life in Lubbock, Texas, taught me two things:
     One is that God loves you and you're going to burn in hell.
     The other is that sex is the most awful, filthy thing on earth and you should save it for someone you love."
- Butch Hancock, Musician, The Flatlanders

Offline phildinftlaudy

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  • sweet Ann what you think babe...
Re: New support group in Pa.
« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2011, 11:40:20 pm »
Michelle:
Great job --- remember, that it may take time to get "up and off the ground."  You may have a few weeks with you alone there or just a couple of people ----
I friend of mine started one up North years ago - the first few weeks were slow and low attendance - but he said the night he was sitting there alone - and wondering if he should continue it, two people showed up and were so grateful that it was available.... Within a couple of months they typically had 7 to 15 people showing up...... out of towners would even come by ---- perseverance pays off....


Best of luck to you!
-Phil
September 13, 2008 - diagnosed +
Labs:
Date    CD4    %   VL     Date  CD4  %   VL
10/08  636    35  510   9/09 473  38 2900  12/4/09 Atripla
12/09  540    30    60   
12/10  740    41  <48   
8/11    667    36  <20  
03/12  1,041  42  <20
05/12  1,241  47  <20
08/12   780    37  <20
11/12   549    35  <20
02/12  1,102  42  <20
11/12   549    35  <20

 


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