MEsmallgroups Project

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I have been a member of this list for several years. Due to the project I

describe below, I have not been active here, as it is taking all my available

energy. However, I thought people here who might be looking for a small

online group or groups to belong to, based on " shared factors " or simply on

having ME/FMS, might want to know about the MEsmallgroups project. Note: in

these groups the emphasis is on intelligent *support*; that is, how

information on a particular treatment or med affects us personally. We also

hope to be a bulwark against the misundestanding of friends and relatives.

Now three months old, the MEsmallgroups Project is an experiment involving

*small* online support and information groups, for people with (broadly

defined) ME *plus* an additional " shared factor. " So far, we have groups for

people with ME/FM who are also Single, Partnered, have another diagnosis (to

date, Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Bipolar illness), or who are below

the poverty line ( " OnSSI " ). We are considering starting a " Severe " group, a

" Men's " group, a " Caregivers " group, and others as well. Input on group ideas

is welcome!

We also have two small groups to provide general support for those with ME

(broadly defined to include FM), and another general support group for those

with " Mainly FM. " These groups, too, are being kept small, and a new one

created when they reach the maximum number of people.

Each small group has about 5 to 15 people (possibly 20), after which it

closes and a new one of the same name but with the next number (e.g. # 2)

opens. By staying small, we can get to know one another, just as we would in

a " real world " support group. We can post our bios, photos, and writings,

etc., in the archives of each small group. Due to the fluctuating nature of

our illness, members are not expected to post regularly.

Obviously, promotion is essential for this project to become what its

creators envision. We are sending this announcement to several online

CFS/FM/ME groups, and we hope that people will tell others about this

project. It has great potential in its unique combination of smallness and

" shared factors " --not for ME sufferers alone, but for all homebound or

semi-homebound people--whether due to illness, or old age.

Finally, we need help--from healthy friends and relatives, as well as people

with ME. We need people to suggest and start new groups, as well as to help

moderate existing ones. We do not " pre-screen " messages, so moderators'

duties are very light.

If interested in joining our project, whether in a leadership role or not,

please visit our " mother " site to join, at

MEsmallgroups

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List Owner, MEsmallgroups