When you are going through a challenging time, family members and friends may sympathise but they don’t always know what to say or the best ways to help. Whatever issues you or a loved one are facing the best medicine can often be the voice of people who have walked in your shoes. Hearing from others facing similar challenges can also make you feel less alone in your troubles.
Support groups are groups of people facing common issues where they share personal experiences and coping strategies, offer support and encouragement. They provide various types of help, usually nonprofessional and nonmaterial. It is a safe place for people to talk about experiences, struggles and thoughts, and a great way to get information that is practical, constructive and helpful.
Back before Covid interrupted our lives Parkinson’s Wairarapa established a social group to support people with Parkinson’s who were young at heart and wanted to meet others over a meal. This was more of a social gathering but the opportunity was there to connect with others as they travel along their Parkinson’s journey.
These dinners were held at different venues throughout the Wairarapa, and now this bi-monthly gathering is back-on-track with a dinner planned for Thursday 13th July at the Royal Oak, Featherston (TBC).
Anyone living with Parkinson’s is welcome to come (partners are invited). Please contact Bill Turley (coordinator) at wiremu.turley@gmail.com or 021-298-2331 to go onto our ‘invite list’.
For further information about Parkinson’s in the Wairarapa please contact the local Action Group by email: wai.parkinsons@gmail.com.
