Has COPD ever left you feeling alone and isolated? Have you tried to reach out for help, only to find that there is no one there because your family lives to far away? People with COPD often suffer from feelings of isolation and depression. Desperate for help, there are few social support systems that are available to those in need. Until now...
A brilliant idea sits on the horizon and is available with just a click of your mouse. Free websites that act as a lifeline in times of crisis or critical illness have been developed to fill an obvious gap in our health care system. They are not difficult to set up, and research suggests that social support systems can make all the difference in the world to those battling COPD or other chronic illness. They can also provide assistance to family members suffering from depression during times of crisis.
To follow is a list of some popular social support websites, but remember, you have an online support group here, as well, in the COPD Forum:
FamiliLink ($4.99 per month to join, free to first 2000 users)
Planet Cancer - For young adults
Group Loop - For teens
Have you ever tried any of these types of support groups? If so, did you feel that they helped and in what way? Please share by posting a comment or talking about it in the forum.
I wish I had known about groups like this in 2003 when I had thyroid cancer. Though my family was very supportive, they stopped seeing what the big deal was once they learned I wasn’t in danger of dying. I really struggled with my feelings toward them during this difficult time and could have used a friend. Sometimes you need a shoulder to cry on, but not just any shoulder. You need someone who “gets it”.
Kristin
ent.about.com
Deb,
Though I’ve only really looked at two (Caring Bridge & Care Pages), I can say both appear to be great.
I can really foresee myself setting up a page on the Caring Bridge as a means to communicate my successes (and happenings) with Family & Close Friends. Though diagnosed with Severe COPD, I’m really just beginning to accept and deal with it in a more proactive way. Though my wife fully understands my limitations, I’ve tried to hide the seriousness of it as much as possible; particularly from my children. As I continue to ‘let the cat out of the bag’, I will be Creating a Webpage, so I can update folks, and use more as a positive reinforcement for me to hopefully post positive progress I make on exercising, weight loss, etc!! Of course, there will be times for those not to good days; but hey, they are just part of it!!
I have already bookmarked both of these two sites.
Thanks so much for finding them!!
Foster
Kristen: I know what you mean. I have had several times in my life when I felt a crisis coming on and something like this would have been a great benefit. Are you ok now from your thyroid cancer?
Foster: I would really love for you to sign up and then maybe you post in the forum about it. Then I can blog about it and include your experience in the blog. Let me know if you sign up and if you would like for me to blog about it!
Thank you both for your comments.
Hi
Thanks for the info, i have been using Famililink with my dad and I can recommend this service to people that want to communicate thorugh the interet with less tech savvy loved ones. It has a very friendly simple interface and my dad loves it.
Carla
Thanks for your comment. I am glad I added the site.