What defines a support group?

[Guest guest]

Webster partly defines support as:

2 a (1): to promote the interests or cause of (2): to uphold or defend as

valid or right : advocate <supports fair play> (3): to argue or vote for

<supported the motion to lower taxes> b (1): assist help <bombers supported

the ground troops> (2): to act with (a star actor) (3): to bid in bridge so

as to show support for c: to provide with substantiation : corroborate

<support an alibi>

I belong to a number of support groups for different reasons. I used to

belong to a cancer support group when my daughter was very ill. Then, when

my son-in-law was deployed to the middle east, I joined Marine Corps support

groups. I currently belong to a support group for parents who teach their

children at home through virtual charter public schools. I belong to

special education support groups to help me raise and educate my disabled

child. I also am honored to belong to this support group for loved ones of

patients with LBD (even though I'm not as active as I like to be.)

I've seen support groups work well and I've seen them fail part of their

membership and fall apart. There is one common them I see in the ones that

work well:

RESPECT for the choices and decisions of others. We need to remember that

the choice one family makes in a given situation may not be the same one we

would make. We need to remember that there is no right or wrong way to

handle the situations life throw at us. Each individual brings different

issues, family dynamics, emotions, background, life's experiences, financial

situations, etc. to the table and each family must make the decision that is

right for them and for their loved one.

So, with the deepest love and respect for all of you, we must remember that

there is no right or wrong answer when deciding whether someone's loved one

should be home or in a nursing home or assisted living facility. That is a

very personal decision and unless we live in someone's house and bring the

same family experience and dynamics to it that they do, we have no right to

judge their decision. This disease brings enough stress of its own. We

should not add to it but try to relieve it for each other and respect each

others' decisions and support them fully.

Just an observation......

Gladys