Chain Reaction: Become an MS Support Group Leader? Me?

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Become an MS Support Group Leader? Me?

I'm a natural born leader. I know this about myself. Every job I've ever had they always asked me within a short amount of time to lead or be in Management. So after my Nashville MS Walk Team raised the most money of all the Mid-South Teams by Double what everyone else did I was elated and also knew they would ask me to do it again next year.

What I wasn't planning on was to be asked to be a Leader for the Nashville MS Support Group starting next September. I have mixed feelings about this request. I am honored they would ask me to do so. It would give me something to do since I am not working and allow me to network with Many local MS Physicians, Nurses, Drug Reps and fellow MSers.

The big question I feel stuck on is do I want to have to be responsible for bringing good topics to the table, setting up speakers, organizing food donations (lunches) from Pharma Companies, Scheduling the Meetings and then field emails to/from 200+ people every month from September to May? Sounds like allot of work when right now I'm not 100% yet.

At the same time I am bored to death at home but would rather do something that would bring in some income until my SSDI is approved. I'm also not sure I want to put that much focus on MS. The current volunteer leader is always at the MS Society doing something. I don't want to think about my MS all the time. I don't.

And I'm unsure about working WITH the local chapter of the National MS Society. I would need to know their expectations. Has anyone done this before? I'm trying to weigh this from every angle so please give me your thoughts/input. Those of you who are greatly involved in the MS Community do you ever just want to forget about it or do you find it rewarding and beneficial?

What are your thoughts or insights?

2 comments:

Libby said...: wow, this is an honor! ...just try to be calm, & realize one of the first things you'll hafta learn is "delegate"!! and with you being a natural-born leader, i'm sure the delegating will go easy...i have faith in you!; May 24, 2011
Herrad said...: Hi Lanette,
I think it would be an excellent thing to do, I am sure you would be good and be able to use your talents and abilities.
I would give it a go if I were you.
Love,
Herrad
ps if a job comes up you can decide then what to do.; May 29, 2011

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For those who don't know MS first hand - An Important Excerpt from Wikipedia on MS:

The person with MS can suffer almost any neurological symptom or sign, including changes in sensation (hypoesthesias and paraesthesias), muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving;^[15] difficulties with coordination and balance (ataxia);^[15] problems in speech (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia),^[16] visual problems (nystagmus, optic neuritis, or diplopia),^[17] fatigue, acute or chronic pain,^[18]^[19] and bladder and bowel difficulties.^[19]^[20] Cognitive impairment of varying degrees and emotional symptoms of depression or unstable mood are also common.^[21]^[22] The main clinical measure of disability progression and symptom severity is the Expanded Disability Status Scale or EDSS.^[23]

Multiple sclerosis relapses are often unpredictable, occurring without warning and without obvious inciting factors. Some attacks, however, are preceded by common triggers. Relapses occur more frequently during spring and summer.^[24] Infections such as the common cold, influenza, or gastroenteritis increase the risk of relapse.^[25]^[26] Stress may also trigger an attack.