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National News<br />
We are stronger together<br />
By Gerda Brown<br />
A support group brings people together who are going through, or have gone through, similar experiences; it<br />
provides them with an opportunity to share personal experiences and feelings, coping strategies, or firsthand<br />
information about diseases or treatments (Mayo Clinic, 2020).<br />
According to the Mayo Clinic, the benefits of participating in a support group may include the following:<br />
• Feeling less lonely, isolated or judged<br />
• Reducing distress, depression or anxiety<br />
• Talking openly and honestly about your feelings<br />
• Improving skills to cope with challenges<br />
• Staying motivated to manage chronic conditions or stick to treatment plans<br />
• Gaining a sense of empowerment, control or hope<br />
• Improving understanding of a disease and your own experience with it<br />
• Getting practical feedback about treatment options<br />
• Learning about health, economic or social resources<br />
Support groups have been established for Duchenne, limb-girdle, and facioscapulohumeral muscular<br />
dystrophies and spinal muscular atrophy. If you would like to join a group, please contact Gerda Brown at<br />
gmnational@mdsa.org.za or 011 472-9703.<br />
Resource<br />
Mayo Clinic. 2020. “Support groups: Make connections, get help.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthylifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/support-groups/art-20044655#:~:text=Benefits%20of%20<br />
support%20groups&text=Feeling%20less%20lonely%2C%20isolated%20or,skills%20to%20cope%20with%20<br />
challenges<br />
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