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News and Announcements Our membership site has moved to meetup.com. Please see our page on how to join for more info. Check back for more group news. (If groups are cancelled, it will be announced here) |
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Members List:
LINKS
Leader:
Nancy J
THE CHRONIC ILLNESS NETWORK NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA ASSOCIATIO
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A SOCIAL, INFORMAL SUPPORT, AND
RESOURCE GROUP FOR THOSE
WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS
IN ARIZONA AND BEYOND
RESOURCE GROUP FOR THOSE
WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS
IN ARIZONA AND BEYOND
WHO WE ARE
We are a social, informal support, and resource group for those living with chronic illness in the Phoenix and surrounding areas. For those in other areas outside of Phoenix and Arizona, we offer online and phone groups.
We are male and female of all age ranges 20's to 50's and beyond, with most of our members being in their 30's and 40's. We meet weekday afternoons and occasional weekend evenings for social and informal support activities. We've been meeting for two years and continue to grow in number each day. We come from all walks of life and have all types of chronic illnesses. Most of our members have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, associated Autoimmune Diseases (Lupus, MS, Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc) or chronic pain conditions, however our group is open to ANYONE with disabling chronic illness. Despite our diagnoses, what we all have in common is living with some kind of chronic health problem and the struggles we face living with adversity. The main goals of our group are socialization, friendship, resources, and support. Our group is also open to caregivers, spouses, and significant others of those suffering with chronic illness.
Our philosophy is, even though we have chronic illnesses, we are still people first and are all still vibrant, beautiful, and dynamic with talents, passions, interests, and lots to share with others. We do everything we can to draw out those interests and the pieces of us that chronic illness has not taken and build on them to increase our self-worth and make a life worth living. After all, we are NOT our illness, we simply HAVE an illness.
We are a social, informal support, and resource group for those living with chronic illness in the Phoenix and surrounding areas. For those in other areas outside of Phoenix and Arizona, we offer online and phone groups.
We are male and female of all age ranges 20's to 50's and beyond, with most of our members being in their 30's and 40's. We meet weekday afternoons and occasional weekend evenings for social and informal support activities. We've been meeting for two years and continue to grow in number each day. We come from all walks of life and have all types of chronic illnesses. Most of our members have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, associated Autoimmune Diseases (Lupus, MS, Lyme Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc) or chronic pain conditions, however our group is open to ANYONE with disabling chronic illness. Despite our diagnoses, what we all have in common is living with some kind of chronic health problem and the struggles we face living with adversity. The main goals of our group are socialization, friendship, resources, and support. Our group is also open to caregivers, spouses, and significant others of those suffering with chronic illness.
Our philosophy is, even though we have chronic illnesses, we are still people first and are all still vibrant, beautiful, and dynamic with talents, passions, interests, and lots to share with others. We do everything we can to draw out those interests and the pieces of us that chronic illness has not taken and build on them to increase our self-worth and make a life worth living. After all, we are NOT our illness, we simply HAVE an illness.
GROUPS WE OFFER
In Person Social and Informal Support Group:
Our in person group meets in Phoenix, AZ, where our founder and leader currently lives and our group consists of monthly luncheons, where members get a chance to socialize and meet for informal support and exchange resources. In addition to our regularly occuring monthly events, all members are able to plan additional areas with those in their area, ranging from a simple lunches or cup of coffee to attending festivals, afternoon concerts, and much more. Members of this group also have the ability to communicate with each other in between events through our online group messageboard, where they exchange resources and get to know each other better. In addition, they are also able to chat in real time with members in our chat room, which is open to all members of our group. **Please note: If enough members in your area join our patient network, we will assist you with finding a leader to coordinate in person events!!
Online Support/Social Groups:
This group is for members that are outside the Phx, AZ area and cannot make the in- person social events or for those in the area who want additional support and socialization in between social events. The group occurs bi-monthly and the group format is a topic based chat, usually concentrating on a coping skill or issue related to chronic illness, followed by a second hour of social, informal chatting. Members are also able to communicate in between scheduled online groups through our messageboard and they are able to chat anytime with members in our secure chatroom.
In Person Social and Informal Support Group:
Our in person group meets in Phoenix, AZ, where our founder and leader currently lives and our group consists of monthly luncheons, where members get a chance to socialize and meet for informal support and exchange resources. In addition to our regularly occuring monthly events, all members are able to plan additional areas with those in their area, ranging from a simple lunches or cup of coffee to attending festivals, afternoon concerts, and much more. Members of this group also have the ability to communicate with each other in between events through our online group messageboard, where they exchange resources and get to know each other better. In addition, they are also able to chat in real time with members in our chat room, which is open to all members of our group. **Please note: If enough members in your area join our patient network, we will assist you with finding a leader to coordinate in person events!!
Online Support/Social Groups:
This group is for members that are outside the Phx, AZ area and cannot make the in- person social events or for those in the area who want additional support and socialization in between social events. The group occurs bi-monthly and the group format is a topic based chat, usually concentrating on a coping skill or issue related to chronic illness, followed by a second hour of social, informal chatting. Members are also able to communicate in between scheduled online groups through our messageboard and they are able to chat anytime with members in our secure chatroom.
WHERE DO WE MEET?
Our group meets in person in Phoenix, Arizona on both sides of the valley, once per month. Luncheons in the east valley are held on the 3rd Monday of the Month at 1pm and location varies each month. Our luncheons in the west valley are held on the 1st monday of the month at Applebees on Bell Rd in Glendale. We have two separate luncheons per month because our group members are spread out over Phoenix and both sides of the valley and travel is difficult with a chronic illness. However, members on either side of the valley are welcome at both luncheons (sometimes members from one side will carpool to the other side's luncheon).
All attending must be registered members of the Chronic Illness Patient Network. Those interested in meeting the group before joining are welcome to come as guests. Either way, those attending must rsvp so our organizers can plan for the appropriate number of people.
Please check the Upcoming Events section to find out about our upcoming luncheons and online chats.
Our group meets in person in Phoenix, Arizona on both sides of the valley, once per month. Luncheons in the east valley are held on the 3rd Monday of the Month at 1pm and location varies each month. Our luncheons in the west valley are held on the 1st monday of the month at Applebees on Bell Rd in Glendale. We have two separate luncheons per month because our group members are spread out over Phoenix and both sides of the valley and travel is difficult with a chronic illness. However, members on either side of the valley are welcome at both luncheons (sometimes members from one side will carpool to the other side's luncheon).
All attending must be registered members of the Chronic Illness Patient Network. Those interested in meeting the group before joining are welcome to come as guests. Either way, those attending must rsvp so our organizers can plan for the appropriate number of people.
Please check the Upcoming Events section to find out about our upcoming luncheons and online chats.
WHY JOIN US?
Having a chronic illness can often bring about loneliness and a loss of friendships, self-esteem, hobbies, and many other things we once knew. Many of us are out of work or work limited hours, with no social network and no productive ways to spend our time during the weekdays. One of the goals of our network is to ease this loneliness and expand our social supports. We provide a mix of both formal support group activities where we can discuss our challenges and more light hearted social activities where we have a chance to get away from our illness and just have fun! We also offer evening/weekend events for those that are still able to remain working. When you become part of our group, you get the chance to meet others going through similar struggles. Many of our members have become friends outside the group and often get together on the weekends or evenings for coffee, dinner, or some form of entertainment. Our active message board allows members to post how they are feeling and gain support from others, as well as to obtain vital resources for dealing with chronic illness. We also have a secure chat room, where members can go in anytime to chat and also attend weekly chats to get to know other members before attending face to face events. This is the most comprehensive chronic illness group of its kind in the Phoenix Area and beyond. While most support or social groups meet solely in the evenings or in person, when we are often too tired, we also meet online and during weekday afternoons, which can often be the most lonely for those out of the workforce or working minimal hours due to illness.
Having a chronic illness can often bring about loneliness and a loss of friendships, self-esteem, hobbies, and many other things we once knew. Many of us are out of work or work limited hours, with no social network and no productive ways to spend our time during the weekdays. One of the goals of our network is to ease this loneliness and expand our social supports. We provide a mix of both formal support group activities where we can discuss our challenges and more light hearted social activities where we have a chance to get away from our illness and just have fun! We also offer evening/weekend events for those that are still able to remain working. When you become part of our group, you get the chance to meet others going through similar struggles. Many of our members have become friends outside the group and often get together on the weekends or evenings for coffee, dinner, or some form of entertainment. Our active message board allows members to post how they are feeling and gain support from others, as well as to obtain vital resources for dealing with chronic illness. We also have a secure chat room, where members can go in anytime to chat and also attend weekly chats to get to know other members before attending face to face events. This is the most comprehensive chronic illness group of its kind in the Phoenix Area and beyond. While most support or social groups meet solely in the evenings or in person, when we are often too tired, we also meet online and during weekday afternoons, which can often be the most lonely for those out of the workforce or working minimal hours due to illness.
HOW DO I RSVP?
All rsvp's are done on our meetup website , where most of our communication occurs. When there is an event, there will be an RSVP Poll under the POLLS feature on the left. This allows the organizer to know who will be coming. Please rsvp to all events so organizers can plan accordingly. We do understand last minute cancellations and also last minute rsvps due to the nature of our illness. If you decide to come last minute or cancel, we just ask you contact the organizer planning that event day of. The name and number/email address of the person planning the event will be posted on the site. In addition to completing RSVP poll, you can also email group organizer directly (especially if you need more info),however.. it is often difficult to keep track of rsvp's this way so please also complete the rsvp poll.
All rsvp's are done on our meetup website , where most of our communication occurs. When there is an event, there will be an RSVP Poll under the POLLS feature on the left. This allows the organizer to know who will be coming. Please rsvp to all events so organizers can plan accordingly. We do understand last minute cancellations and also last minute rsvps due to the nature of our illness. If you decide to come last minute or cancel, we just ask you contact the organizer planning that event day of. The name and number/email address of the person planning the event will be posted on the site. In addition to completing RSVP poll, you can also email group organizer directly (especially if you need more info),however.. it is often difficult to keep track of rsvp's this way so please also complete the rsvp poll.
DO YOU HAVE MEMBERS OUTSIDE THE PHOENIX, AZ AREA?
Yes. As stated above, we do have members from outside Phoenix and some even outside Arizona. They utilize the group by attending chat groups and also by communicating with members on the messageboard. We do, however, feel that members in the Phoenix area get the most out of the group. Again, if we have enough members join in your city and/or state and we can find an organizer, we are happy to arrange in person social luncheons.
Yes. As stated above, we do have members from outside Phoenix and some even outside Arizona. They utilize the group by attending chat groups and also by communicating with members on the messageboard. We do, however, feel that members in the Phoenix area get the most out of the group. Again, if we have enough members join in your city and/or state and we can find an organizer, we are happy to arrange in person social luncheons.
ARE YOUR GROUPS FORMAL?
Unlike some support groups that meet in a conference room or medical facility, we meet for INFORMAL support and socialization at various inexpensive restaurants throughout the east and west valley. Since the focus of this group is on socialization, we do not feature speakers or have a structured format to our events. Members simply come and enjoy lunch and good conversation with others who understand their struggles with chronic illness. Along with the socialization, members also recieve support from others and can feel free to talk about their struggles with their illness. However, we do like to keep the luncheons enjoyable and at least some of the focus on other things besides our illness, such as hobbies, family, etc since this group is really about re-discovering ourselves and our interests despite chronic illness and making friends while focusing on our strengths and what we do have in our lives. Most of all, we all usually enjoy some good laughs and come away feeling more hopeful and in better spirits than when we arrived. Some of our members also belong to more formal "support" groups in conjunction with ours so they get the best of both worlds.
Unlike some support groups that meet in a conference room or medical facility, we meet for INFORMAL support and socialization at various inexpensive restaurants throughout the east and west valley. Since the focus of this group is on socialization, we do not feature speakers or have a structured format to our events. Members simply come and enjoy lunch and good conversation with others who understand their struggles with chronic illness. Along with the socialization, members also recieve support from others and can feel free to talk about their struggles with their illness. However, we do like to keep the luncheons enjoyable and at least some of the focus on other things besides our illness, such as hobbies, family, etc since this group is really about re-discovering ourselves and our interests despite chronic illness and making friends while focusing on our strengths and what we do have in our lives. Most of all, we all usually enjoy some good laughs and come away feeling more hopeful and in better spirits than when we arrived. Some of our members also belong to more formal "support" groups in conjunction with ours so they get the best of both worlds.
DOES YOUR GROUP MEET OTHER THAN REGULAR SCHEDULED LUNCHEONS?
Many of our members have become friends outside our group and get together for events aside from group events, such as movies, shopping, etc. Also, since this is mostly a social group, we encourage members to invite others out with them in between regularly scheduled luncheons, so members will sometimes post when they are going somewhere or looking for others to do something with, both during the day and evenings.
Many of our members have become friends outside our group and get together for events aside from group events, such as movies, shopping, etc. Also, since this is mostly a social group, we encourage members to invite others out with them in between regularly scheduled luncheons, so members will sometimes post when they are going somewhere or looking for others to do something with, both during the day and evenings.
MAY I BRING FRIENDS OR FAMILY OR MY KIDS?
Absolutely!!! In fact, we welcome you to bring all those who are in your support network, especially if it helps you get to events!! Please check with leader about bringing small children as this can often be disruptive to other members, however if you must bring your child in order to make a luncheon, use common sense ;)
Absolutely!!! In fact, we welcome you to bring all those who are in your support network, especially if it helps you get to events!! Please check with leader about bringing small children as this can often be disruptive to other members, however if you must bring your child in order to make a luncheon, use common sense ;)
