How We Live

 

 

local support groups

 

We get many requests for how to establish, or increase activities in, local support groups or clubs. Here are suggestions.

 

LINKS

WebWhispers listing of Local Clubs including IAL (International Association of Laryngectomees) member clubs

Download and print Jane S. Del Vecchio's How To Build A Successful Laryngectomee Club - an Adobe.pdf file.

Get and stay involved with the IAL and with your State Association of Laryngectomees if there is one. IAL has an extensive list of clubs for both the USA and international.

Contact your local ACS (American Cancer Society). Volunteer. Work with them on keeping supplies and literature. Volunteer.

 

PURPOSE

My simplistic answer is that you first have to define and be comfortable with what your purpose is and make a commitment to fulfill that purpose. Then, as long as you are fulfilling your purpose, it doesn't matter if you only have 3-4 members or a hundred members. The goal should not be to have large turnouts at your meetings although you work toward that as much as you can. Some of our smaller clubs may be small simply because they have done such a good job of fulfilling their purpose. They met with the new laryngectomees, gave them good information, emotional support, and most importantly provided a good example of a well rehabilitated laryngectomee that still enjoys life. If you are successful at that then you have probably served the purpose that was intended. If those new larys are as grateful as many are, then they will hopefully want to join you for the long haul by giving back to others what they have received. If they are not inclined to do then so be it. We all don't march to the same drummer. (Jack Henslee)

 

MEETINGS

Meet at a regular time regardless of the number of members. More than once a month may be too much but there successful clubs that meet more often. Less than monthly, other than summer breaks (or winter breaks in the cold areas), doesn’t hold a club together.

You can find a meeting place. Often the ACS will offer a free room for your meetings. Clinics, hospitals, churches, and civic centers may be good choices for your group.

 

CLUB ACTIVITIES

1. Establish a good visitor's program. That's what brings the new larys to you. The IAL will help and check with the local ACS to offer your services to anyone who contacts them. Start with your own doctors and SLPs and offer to call on new larys.. Try to educate the doctors and SLPs in your area about your group and that it is to help educate and support.

2. Do tobacco education talks, mainly to school kids. It builds community respect and interest in your group which can have various benefits. Reach out to other cancer groups, visit and be a speaker for them.

3. Bring in speakers. Ask your local professionals. You might get a physical therapist, a nutritionist, a long time lary, or someone to talk about specific problems or treatments. Some vendors will come in to display and talk about their products at no cost to you.

4. Try to be a social group as well as a laryngectomee support group. My club has an annual picnic, two houseboat trips every year, a Christmas party, a "Western Night" dinner/dance/fundraiser, five of the members play golf together at least once a week (and they didn't know each other before the big C), occasionally we do things like a yard/garage sale, bus trips to Reno, we attend CAL and IAL meetings together, or do volunteer work at the ACS.

(Jack Henslee)

 


 

Financial help

Another concern that often comes along with a cancer diagnoses is finances. A cancer diagnosis can be heartbreaking without adding financial worries to the mix. If bills pile up and wages grind to a halt, it can become impossible to manage expenses and can lead to an unbearable degree of stress. Amid crushing medical bills and smaller paychecks, you and/or a loved one may even face the harsh reality of a home loss.
These financial realities can wreak havoc on even the most savvy investor’s savings, but there are various assistance options that can help. If you’d like to stay in the comfort of your own home while undergoing cancer treatment, it can be a wise move, as cancer can be a temporary condition.

The following site can help with guidance in handling financial concerns:

https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/how-to-afford-home-expenses-during-cancer-treatment/

 


 

LITERATURE

WebWhispers brochures

IAL brochures

ACS handouts

Supplier catalogs

Make a flyer for your own group

Check the WebWhispers Information Library Section - Free for the Asking

Put out a newsletter to send to your members and hand out to new larys. Start with a meeting notice and an article or some hints to read. It’s not difficult and there is plenty of material on WebWhispers, IAL, and ACS websites to extend your own articles and local news. Talk with ACS about sending it out for you as your monthly meeting notice to your local group and prospects. See the Headlines article on Newsletters.

Some groups have a telephone committee to remind people of the meeting. Gather local lary e-mail addresses from those who have them in order to send a quick reminder of the meeting or to share news in a hurry.

 

For suggestions, contributions, corrections or questions about this section, please contact:

Library Staff