From Spring 2011 Forum

For many years, the National CFIDS Foundation has offered a free guide to beginning a support group for patients with CFIDS/ME. Recently, one member from Illinois explained that she is unable to commit to going to a support group monthly and would enjoy having a telephone support network that she can access right from her home. Are there others in your town or city or state that you are unaware of that are suffering from the same disease? Will you share your telephone number with others so you can chat together about how to handle living with CFIDS/ME and share what has helped you and what hasn't?

Joining a telephone support network involves sharing experiences, giving mutual support, making new friends and exchanging information that may help you and help others. Essentially, it's an easier way of handling problems without having to leave your home.

Aren't support groups a better alternative? Of course, which is why we've offered a free copy of our booklet on how to easily start a support group. But there are patients in rural communities who aren't near other patients and/or are too severe to even think of being able to get to a support group or starting one.

In this day and age of Twitter, Facebook and computer chat groups, why is this necessary? Because there are patients unable to use a computer and others that cannot afford a computer. And there is nothing that is comparable to speaking with another patient who does not need any explanation for the many symptoms that constantly rear their ugly heads. When support group meetings are not an option, a phone friend can be invaluable.

Any member who is willing to share their telephone number and accept calls from other members in their own state or even, if they have a cell phone and do not have to worry about long distance telephone charges, in their own time zone is urged to join the telephone support network. If the NCF hears from patients willing to do this that live in the same state even the same time zone, we'll pass on the information to others who have signed up for this new venture. This would be the first time that the NCF has agreed to give out any member's name for any reason. We'll consider this new venture a success even if just a few are able to find another CFIDS/ME patient where each will be able to understand what is so difficult to explain to non-patients. If you're looking for a support buddy, join today!

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Yes! I want to be a part of the Support Group Network:

Name___________________________

Telephone Number_________________ City____________ State_____________ Time Zone______________