Support Groups
LABI holds at least two peer mentoring support groups a week.
The peer mentoring element is key to a survivor's progress toward greater independence. Through shared wisdom,
each participant becomes stronger and more self-sufficient.
People come to support groups for different reasons:
Joe Survivor may want more of a social life; he's there to hear what has worked for other survivors.
Josie Survivor wants to learn how
to catch the bus to her volunteer job; someone who already takes the bus or paratransit is happy to help.
José Survivor is looking for suggestions for a class at the nearby college that will be interesting yet also accommodate his limitations.
Nancy
Newcaregiver finds value in learning that others have already faced her
challenges and are there to share strategies that will help her avoid
caregiver burn-out.
And Savvy Survivor
and Constance
Caregiver, who have “been there, conquered
that” from their years of experience and exposure, find
reward in mentoring and supporting their less-seasoned peers.
At all LABI meetings and activities, participants
feel they are in a "comfort zone" because
everyone has walked a mile in the same shoes (or rolled in the
same wheels).
