ASG-SLC Next meeting & Summer Vacation 2007 (no meetings)

The next Arthritis Support Group of South Lake County meeting will take place May 4th, Friday, at 12-1:30PM, located in the National Training Center/ Education Department on the South Lake Hospital campus in Clermont. Elizabeth Morse, MDiv, Spiritual Care Coordinator at South Lake Hospital, will be giving a presentation on “Relaxation and Guided Imagery”. She is licensed as a Guided Imagery specialist and is very knowledgeable about reducing chronic pain thru relaxation. Come join us and maybe leave with LESS pain! Bring a friend, sweater and snack. Fee: FREE. Brochures, pamphlets and literature are available during the meeting.

We will not meet during the summer (June, July & August) and resume our monthly support group meetings starting again on September 7th, Friday with Dr. Kenneth Stark, Rheumatologist, as our special guest speaker.

For more information call Meg King (352) 243-2098.

Reminder - Next Arthritis support group meeting is March 2nd, Friday ...

The Arthritis Support Group of South Lake County will meet Friday, March 2, Friday from 12 noon till to 1:30 pm. The Arthritis Support Group meeting takes place at the National Training Center / Education Department, 1109 Citrus Tower Blvd., Clermont.

All afflicted by Arthritis (there are more than 100+ types!), family, friends and those interested are welcome. Fee: Free. Brochures and literature is available at the meeting.

Guest Speaker will be Jennifer from the Clermont Herb Shop and Day Spa located in Historic Downtown Clermont. The topic and presentation will be about “Aromatherapy.” For more information, please call Meg King at (352) 243-2098.

Arthritis Support Group Meeting Reminder

The Arthritis Support Group of South Lake County will meet February 2nd, Friday, at the National Training Center / Education Department, 1109 Citrus Tower Blvd., Clermont. The meeting will start at 12PM - 1:30 PM.

The Topic will be “Exercise and Nutrition Can Help Relieve the Pain and Inflammation Caused by Arthritis.” Put your sneakers on and bring a snack to share. We are going to have some fun!

Those that have Arthritis or those that are not sure, family, friends and anyone interested in Arthritis are welcome to attend the support group. Fee: Free. Brochures, literature and books are available at the meeting.

The Arthritis Support Group of South Lake County meets the 1st Friday of each month at the NTC. For more information, please call Meg King at (352) 243-2098.

When You're Amoung Friends

As the last few people arrive, Frances Rolander, who started the monthly support group nine years ago, asks people to introduce themselves. Donna and Joe Huser, a couple who are longtime veterans of the group, start. Donna has dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis and a host of other problems stemming from those conditions. Joe began coming to the group meetings with Donna when she was too weak to come on her own, but he quickly found that the meetings helped him immeasurably in understanding what his wife was going through. He's now developed osteoarthritis, which, he likes to joke, he got from the group.

Kathy Barker is a spunky, early-30-something who seems the picture of health except for the splints she wears to support her thumbs, which have been all but destroyed by osteoarthritis. Lisa Kenney, who's there for the first time, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis seven months ago and is learning how to cope with an illness while raising two young children and running a household. Jeanie Thigpen is recovering from knee surgery and walks with a cane. One hesitant young woman introduces herself only as Ruth.

There's palpable sense of relief in the room, a letting down of the guard. Here, at least, people understand what everyone's been going through. No need for explanations or defending health decisions; no need to worry about pity, or callousness, or faking good cheer. There's just a feeling of being heard, understood and supported by people who have stood in your shoes.
Some may come to the group skeptically, expecting to hear people whining and asking, "why me?" But complaining is not what this group is about... continued- Arthritis Foundation

"Project OutReach" is Happening NOW!

"Project OutReach"

Our Arthritis Support Group website, blog journal and printed brochures will contain personal stories and articles for Arthritis sufferers, their families, and friends just as we do at our “face-to-face” (F2F) meetings. Maybe there are others still in the shadows of loneliness and chronic pain affected by all types Arthritis; Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Gout, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Lupus (SLE), Fibromyalgia, and many other forms.

Dear Arthritis Support Group Members, Supportive Friends
And Business Community of South lake County:

Now is the time to consider helping our Arthritis Support Group with our “Project OutReach” wesite, blog journal and printed brochures! Continue reading this message and help out as much as you can. Members, we will discuss it more at our next meeting on July 7th. Nothing will be publicized until you approve the graphics, articles and photos. The Arthritis Support Group’s goal called “Project Outreach” is to create tools to communicate with our local community and globally as Jane Perkins, our group member with a heart of gold, suggested in one of our meetings this last Spring. We need group members and supportive friends who would like to contribute to step up to the “plate” now and S-W-I-N-G!!!!

Printed BROCHURE and WEB SITE IDEAS WANTED!

Due Date for Drafts: July 7th Arthritis Support Group Meeting.

Need some S-H-O-R-T articles about tips for avoiding pain. Examples: cooking, brushing teeth, doing house cleaning, traveling on vacations, exercise, shoes, hobbies and etcetera. (Approximately 2500 characters including spaces.) Please sign anything you send in!

RECIPES and Cooking Tips! Some good cookin’ and healthy foods! Diet tips! Salads, main dishes, snacks! Food! Teas, desserts, party dips, party ideas and more. (Approximately 1500 characters including spaces.)

VISUAL ART - Photos, paintings, hobbies, crafts, drawings and pictures in ‘jpg’ extension format.

POEMS, short stories, editorials about how you cope with your arthritis and life. Creative writers wanted.

* ATTENTION: To Our Supportive Friends in the local business community of South Lake County, FL!

Here is an opportunity to advertise in our PREMIERE printed brochure for the Arthritis Support Group.

The brochure will be considered a tri-publication (3 times a year). We will need your AD slick, business card or existing AD by the due date of July 31, 2006. Contact: Meg King 352-243-2098 or email: arthritisgrpslc@cfl.rr.com.

Distribution / circulation: doctor offices, clinics, medical supplies, Kings Ridge, Summit Greens, churches, medical business; MRI, Dialysis, X-Rays, Labs, health fairs, pharmacies, libraries, health fairs, community events, emergency care centers, hospitals, & Wellness Centers.

Dear Blogger friends affected by Arthritis:

You too are invited to join us in "Project OutReach!" Please email your ideas, suggestions or questions to us at arthritisgrpslc@cfl.rr.com before July 25, 2006. Mail your photo or articles to: 204 Hideaway Ct., Minneola, FL 34715 if you would rather. We won't be able to return them. Thank you very much!