AMPUTEE SUPPORT GROUP OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA NEWSLETTER
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Monthly Meetings: |
First Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9:00 pm, Telestar Court Building, Gemini room, 2990 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22042 |
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Contacts: |
Daphne
Burroughs, 703-369-2615 |
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Web Page: |
www.inova.org/rehabilitation/amputee_support.htm |
Support Group Meeting
The Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia (ASGNVA)
held it's regularly scheduled meeting on January 4, 2005, at 7:30, at the
Telestar Building in Falls Church, Virginia. Approximately 10 amputees
attended the meeting.
One of our members, Charles, brought two new guest
amputees. I sure am glad that
somebody besides the new amputees decided to attend the meeting although, with
the exception of Charles and me, the other amputees that attended the meeting
have only been amputees for less than one year. So the “veteran” amputee that the new BK amputees got to
talk to was an AK amputee. But at
least they had ONE veteran amputee to speak to.
Charles called me the day after the meeting to thank me for
faithfully attending meetings because he was sure that, even if no one else
showed up for the meeting, I would be there. And I was. So
when did I become the entire Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia? As far as I can tell, this newsletter
goes out to almost 200 members – both amputees and professionals. And we need both factions to attend
meetings.
Rarely do we have visits from any professionals – not a
doctor, not a physical therapist, and lately not even a prosthetist. I’m actually at a loss for
words – pretty uncommon for me.
Where are the veteran amputees that struggled for many long
years to learn those hard, hard lessons?
Do you really want someone, anyone else to go through any ordeal that
you endured and that you can prevent from happening just by contributing at a
meeting? And it doesn’t have to be
every month – just often enough that the “regulars” get to know you and can
call on you with questions, if necessary.
The group needs some “worker bees” to come forth and
volunteer to be responsible for some of the duties of the group. These tasks are necessary for the
functioning of ASGNVA and I cannot do them all. I have modified the approved bylaws and include them here
for your review.
The modifications propose the creation of a Board of
Directors comprised of members responsible for the critical job functions
stated. The 11-member board would
be accountable to ASGNVA for all business functions of the group thus freeing
the support group meeting from most business functions; only certain board
members would report to the membership through the newsletter thus ensuring
that precious support group time is not taken up by group business.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section
1. Election. A
special meeting of newly elected and outgoing Board Members shall be held
between the time of the annual election (April) and the next monthly meeting
for the exchange of information.
Section
2. Meeting Facilitator. ASGNVA shall select a Meeting
Facilitator who will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Meeting
Facilitator, or in the event of the inability or refusal of the Meeting Facilitator
to act, ASGNVA shall select a new Meeting Facilitator, and, in the interim,
shall provide for the performance of the duties usually pertaining to the
office of Meeting Facilitator.
The Meeting Facilitator shall, in general:
(1) Chair
Business Meetings.
(2) Initiate discussion among Board Members and general membership
regarding ASGNVA goals and objectives.
(3) Maintain close contact with members regarding their needs and
assessment of how well ASGNVA is meeting those needs.
(4) Host and lead discussion at ASGNVA monthly
meetings and any other ad hoc meetings.
(5) Obtain speakers for monthly meetings and special
events.
(6) Ensure reservation for meeting room is made, in
advance.[1]
Section
3. Secretary. ASGNVA shall select a Secretary who
will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary, or in the event of
the inability or refusal of the Secretary to act, ASGNVA shall select a new
Secretary, and, in the interim, shall provide for the performance of the duties
usually pertaining to the office of Secretary. The Secretary shall, in general:
(1)
Take notes at Business Meetings and distribute copies to all members (via
newsletter).
(2) Keep master files.
(3) Maintain ASGNVA’s archives.
Section
4. Treasurer. ASGNVA shall select a Treasurer who
will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Treasurer, or in the event of
the inability or refusal of the Treasurer to act, ASGNVA shall select a new
Treasurer, and, in the interim, shall provide for the performance of the duties
usually pertaining to the office of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in general:
(1)
Maintain financial records and
report financial status to the membership (via newsletter).
(2) Work with INOVA Fairfax Hospital’s ASGNVA
representative to request funds from the ASGNVA Foundation (Fund 352) and
disburse such funds appropriately.
(3) Work with INOVA Fairfax Hospital’s Foundation
representative to ensure that ASGNVA has adequate supplies of donation
materials, etc.
Section
5. Data Base Manager. ASGNVA shall select a Data Base Manager who will serve at the pleasure
of ASGNVA. In the event of a
vacancy in the position of Data Base Manager, or in the event of the inability
or refusal of the Data Base Manager to act, ASGNVA shall select a new Data Base
Manager, and, in the interim, shall provide for the performance of the duties
usually pertaining to the position of Data Base Manager. The Data Base Manager shall, in
general:
(1) Maintain an automated member/mailing list.
(2) Provide a periodic copy (computer version) of the
automated member/mailing list to another designated individual of ASGNVA.
(3) Provide a contact list of approved visitors
(peer certified) to the Visitation Coordinator.
(4) Print
mailing labels for the monthly newsletter and any other mailings.
(5) Provide information to various Board Members, as
requested.
Section
6. Communications Coordinator. ASGNVA shall select a Communications
Coordinator who will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Communications
Coordinator, or in the event of the inability or refusal of the Communications
Coordinator to act, ASGNVA shall select a new Communications Coordinator and,
in the interim, shall provide for the performance of the duties usually
pertaining to the position of Communications Coordinator. The Communications Coordinator shall,
in general:
(1) Coordinate
with local print and electronic media for distribution of announcements of
meetings and/or special events.
(2) Send
out email reminders to ASGNVA members of monthly meetings and special events.
(3) Create
and maintain a “telephone chain” for quick turnaround of news, events or
cancellations pertaining to ASGNVA.
(4) Create,
modify and/or maintain a supply of ASGNVA promotional materials.
(5) Ensure
that promotional materials are placed in and around local hospitals, doctor’s
offices, rehabilitation facilities and all local prosthetist’s offices, as
appropriate.
(6) Maintain
and post meeting and event signs and/or information.
Section
7. Visitation Coordinator. ASGNVA shall select a Peer-Certified
Visitation Coordinator who will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA. In the event of a vacancy in the
position of Visitation Coordinator, or in the event of the inability or refusal
of the Visitation Coordinator to act, ASGNVA shall select a new Peer-Certified
Visitation Coordinator and, in the interim, shall provide for the performance
of the duties usually pertaining to the position of Visitation
Coordinator. The Visitation
Coordinator shall, in general:
(1) Receive requests for peer visitation and other
hospital visits.
(2) Select a peer-certified visitor to visit new
amputees and/or individuals considering amputation.
(3) Perform quality control on the visitation process.
(4) Keep records of visits.
(5) Assemble and send New Amputee Information
Packets to appropriate people/organizations.
(6) Provide periodic visitation reports to the Board
Members.
(7) Provide new amputee information to the Data Base
Manager for the member/mailing list.
(8) Coordinate provision of peer visitation training.
Section
8. Newsletter Editor. ASGNVA shall select a Newsletter Editor
who will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA.
In the event of a vacancy in the position of Newsletter Editor, or in
the event of the inability or refusal of the Newsletter Editor to act, ASGNVA
shall select a new Newsletter Editor and, in the interim, shall provide for the
performance of the duties usually pertaining to the position of Newsletter
Editor. The Newsletter Editor
shall, in general:
(1) Write and edit ASGNVA’s monthly
newsletter.
(2) Consult with the Board Members regarding the
newsletter’s content.
(3)
Prepare the newsletter for mailing and mail it in accordance with Postal
Service requirements.
Section
9. Hospitality Facilitator. ASGNVA shall select a Hospitality
Facilitator who will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Hospitality
Facilitator, or in the event of the inability or refusal of the Hospitality
Facilitator to act, ASGNVA shall select a new Hospitality Facilitator and, in
the interim, shall provide for the performance of the duties usually pertaining
to the position of Hospitality Facilitator. The Hospitality Facilitator shall, in general:
(1) Set up the meeting place before meetings and
clean up afterward.
(2)
Staff “welcome” table at meetings.
(3)
Maintain stock of materials (nametags, brochures, InMotion copies, etc.) for
“welcome” table.
Section
10. Membership Facilitator. ASGNVA shall select a Membership
Facilitator who will serve at the pleasure of ASGNVA. In the event of a vacancy in the position of Membership
Facilitator, or in the event of the inability or refusal of the Membership
Facilitator to act, ASGNVA shall select a new Membership Facilitator and, in
the interim, shall provide for the performance of the duties usually pertaining
to the position of Membership Facilitator. The Membership Facilitator shall, in general:
(1) Design and implement events designed to
attract new members.
(2) Generate
ideas to retain existing members.
(3) Ensure
that brochures and business cards are available at local hospitals and
prosthetic houses.
(4) Maintain close coordination with the
Communications Facilitator (for announcements), the Visitation Facilitator (for
outreach to new amputees visited), the Community Outreach Facilitator (for
attracting members from other groups).
Section
11. Community Outreach
Facilitator. ASGNVA shall
select a Community Outreach Facilitator who will serve at the pleasure of
ASGNVA. In the event of a vacancy
in the position of Community Outreach Facilitator, or in the event of the
inability or refusal of the Community Outreach Facilitator to act, ASGNVA shall
select a new Community Outreach Facilitator and, in the interim, shall provide
for the performance of the duties usually pertaining to the position of
Community Outreach Facilitator. The Community Outreach Facilitator shall, in general:
(1) Establish and maintain liaison with other local groups,
as appropriate, such as independent living centers, caregiver support groups,
other disability-specific groups.
(2) Establish
and maintain liaison with local governmental entities, as appropriate.
I will present this modification at the February meeting and, if there are no objections to this change, I will implement this change to the Bylaws in March and expect to fill all positions by the April meeting (as this is our “election” month).
I already try to fulfill ALL of these job functions and, consequently, most of them are either not done or completed in a slap-dash manner due to time constraints. I will continue to be the Treasurer (per request for a single point of contact from INOVA Fairfax Hospital and the fact that I am already on their “vendor” list), Data Base Manager and Newsletter Editor unless, of course, someone else wants to step into my shoes for one of these positions.
That still leaves EIGHT job functions that need to be performed that I cannot do. I need responsible volunteers. I cannot continue to drive the 63 miles (one way) to attend every single meeting just to ensure that someone, anyone is in attendance at the meeting.
And many of these job functions can be adequately performed from the comfort of your own home if you have a computer and Internet capability. The job functions are spelled out and any documents that are required are already created. So, please, get off your apathy and jump right in. I promise that you will gain far more than you put in – the payoff in seeing “your” amputees grow and learn and get up and walking is simply indescribable.
Members
are amputees, family members and friends – dedication and responsibility
count! Let’s get our support group
back on its feet (ASGNVA needs some rehab and YOU are the therapist)! Come to a meeting, call a contact, email
or phone me (No “free” long distance? Call me, tell me to call you back and I
will). Please don’t let our
support group die of apathy – this is our 21st year of existence and
we’ve already done lots of “good deeds”.
Let’s keep the ball rolling!
News and Announcements
ASGNVA to Acquire Scooter – I had
a call from someone who wants to donate a used scooter to ASGNVA. I said, “yes, thank you” but I will
need to pick it up and store it somewhere. I think I remember that it needs batteries. Roberta – do you need to use one? Joce will probably need it when she has
her knee replacement surgery (April, maybe) as she “won’t have a leg to stand
on” at that point. After that, it
will be up for grabs (to borrow) on an as-needed basis. Let me know if you’re interested (Beth,
540-439-3656, betheharris@earthlink.net
or asgnva@earthlink.net.
Tax Information for 2005 –
The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board's Web site has a wealth of
information about tax relief for people with disabilities and their
families. For example, Virginia offers a
"Home Accessibility Features for the Disabled' income tax credit as
well as Caregivers Grants for relatives who take care of people with
disabilities. The information is available on the web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/dsb/Tax_Considerations.htm or by sending an e-mail to disabilityservices@fairfaxcounty.gov. For those of you without Internet access, the information is also available by calling 703-324-5421, TTY 703-449-1186.
Another Exercise Videos for Amputees – After Patti brought in her Chair Dancing video, I was inspired to bring my exercise video in and show it to the group. I use the Fitness for All video by Bonnie St. John-Deanne and Jon Giese. I bought it from the ACA but they discontinued it. This is a workout video for lower-limb amputees and people with leg and ankle injuries.
I used this video to regain my strength and increase the
ejection fraction of my heart after a virus tried to kill me in 2000. And it worked. Over time I lost 40+ pounds (without actually
dieting, just watching what I ate) and increased my ejection fraction from 18
(very bad) to almost 60 (70+ is normal).
Needless to say, my cardiologist was ecstatic.
The video is comprised of a warm up, then about 10 minutes
each of aerobics, strength training (weights), stretching, and finally a cool
down. I found that, after using
the video for about two weeks, my aches and pains started to decrease and I
started to become stronger even though I was still not able to complete any of
the “sections”. It took me quite a
long time before I could just play the video and complete each section in its
entirety but I felt the benefits long before that. If you are interested in the Fitness for All
video, it can be purchased online from Amazon at www.Amazon.com both new and used.
.
And, if
you just like Richard Simmons, he made a “sitting” exercise video (which I’ve
used and I like) called “Sit Tight – Exercise Without Leaving Your Chair”. It can be ordered from the AmeriMark
web site (look around, it’s a great little web site), at www.amerimark.com. The item number is 25670 and it is
priced at $14.99 plus shipping. If
you don’t have web access, AmeriMark’s toll free number is 1-877-268-9594. This video can also be purchased, new
and used, at Amazon.
If you
would like to order a Chair Dancing
video, contact Patti Skinner, patti_skinner@yahoo.com, to order at the group
rate, go to chairdancing.com and order from the author’s web site, or order it
from Amazon.com.
ASGNVA Funds/Donations – As far as I know, ASGNVA has received no new
donations. Again, if you want ASGNVA to continue at all, donate to Inova
Foundation Fund 352.
To donate by phone or obtain a donation form, call 703-289-2072.
To donate online, go to https://connect.inova.com/j/inovanet.srt/forms/donation/donatenow.htm.
Services and Products
ASGNVA
New Web Page –
INOVA Fairfax Hospital hosts our “official” web page as they provide a meeting
room and a fund from which ASGNVA operate. The “official” web page can be accessed at:
(www.inova.org/inovapublic.srt/rehabilitation/amputee_support.htm). They are not particularly excited about
making the page dynamic and putting the newsletters on it or anything like that
and I can see their point – the hospital is a large organization and we are a
little speck in the overall scheme of things.
Since I have free web space that I
don’t use, I created the dynamic ASGNVA
UNOFFICIAL WEB PAGE (http://home.earthlink.net/~asgnva/ASGNVA.html). A couple of you have already seen (and tested – thanks!) the
page and it’s functions. I will
continue to add newsletters (both current and archived) as well as other
information, as applicable. Let me
know if you want to see something on the page – your “webmaster” is only an
email or phone call away (and the information is right there on the web page
for you). This is my 
present to ASGNVA so that those of you
that really cannot actively participate in group activities will be able to
participate through the web page.
And those of you who can participate in an active manner will be able to
check the web page for up-to-the-minute news of the group’s activities. Now let’s get some activities started!
ASGNVA Lending Library – Come to a meeting and borrow a book or see what new handouts are available. A list of the library materials will be posted on the web site soon. If you would like to borrow materials from ASGNVA’s Lending Library, please contact Jason Bulger or Beth Harris, asgnva@earthlink.net.
Member Updates
Roberta
W. – We’ve
recently been emailing each other after I had not heard from her in a
while. She was a new amputee in
September of 2003. She contacted
me in September 2004. I sent her a
New Amputee Information Packet, added her to the membership for
newsletters and we exchanged a few emails; I remember thinking that she was in
PT and doing quite well and I would probably see her sometime at an ASGNVA
meeting. But I lost track of her
over my “winter holidays” as I was keeping track of (in date order) immigration
paperwork (for my son’s fiancé), a wedding (at my house and planned and paid
for by me), Thanksgiving, Christmas, a funeral, and New Year’s – plus I’m
trying to get into a new prosthesis.
And that was just the end of the year.
As it
turned it she wasn’t doing so well in PT.
She developed blisters on her “other” foot and went to Walter Reed where
it was determined that they needed to amputate her “other” leg (that was around
Thanksgiving). She quickly checked
out of Walter Reed and got a second opinion. Ultimately, she had a toe amputated (January 5) and a bypass
on her remaining leg and is doing OK so far. But the Amputee Support Group should have been there for her
and they weren’t because I was busy – and I’m the Amputee Support Group of
Northern Virginia. And we’re
talking now but I think how much easier it might have been for Roberta if she
had had an amputee friend to talk to during that period of time. Too bad ASGNVA doesn’t have a network
of people to keep track of new amputees and call them and talk to them to ease
them into their new lives as amputees – just think how nice that would be!
Scheduled Events
Monthly Meeting – The next monthly meeting is February 1, weather permitting (see Winter Weather Policy). We will have a speaker who will present a new service that this being offered in the Northern Virginia area for disabled people. There will also be new copies of Disabled Dealer and other new handouts of interest to amputees and other disabled people. Remember - YOU have the choice to make your support group better.
Winter Weather Policy – When Fairfax County Schools
announce delayed openings, are closed or have early dismissals for inclement
weather, the ASGNVA meeting will be canceled for that date. Be extra
careful when it’s icy or snowy -- it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Calendar of Events
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January 2005 |
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1-31 |
National Volunteer Blood Donor Month |
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4 |
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11 |
Fredericsksburg Area Amputee Support Team (FAAST) – Second Tuesday
of the month, 7:00-9:00 pm, The disAbility Resource Center, 409 Progress
Street, Fredericksburg, VA. Contact Greg Wright, 540-899-2655 or
800-333-4102. |
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12 |
Happy Birthday to Sandra Tapia |
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13 |
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18 |
Washington Amputee Association (WAA) – Third Tuesday
of the month, 6:30-8:30 pm, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving
Street, NW, Washington, DC, Ground Floor Dining Room (rear section, near the
windows and behind the partition). Contact Roy Dwyer, 301-897-2816. |
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19 |
Kernan Hospital Amputee Support Group – Third
Wednesday of the month, 6:00-8:00 pm, Room G604, Kernan Hospital, 2200 Kernan
Dr., Gwynn Oak, MD. Contact Mark Senker at 410-581-7027. |
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22 |
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27 |
Ability With Mobility – Last Thursday
of the month, 6:00-8:00 pm, 2nd floor, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of
Maryland, 9909 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD. Contact Sandy
Shehadeh, 240-864-6200. |
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29 |
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February 2005 |
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1-28 |
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1 |
Amputee
Support Group of Northern Virginia (ASGNVA) – First Tuesday of the month,
7:30-9:00 pm, 2990 Telestar Court Building, Gemini Room, Falls Church,
VA. Contact Beth Harris, 540-439-3656, betheharris@earthlink.net or
asgnva@earthlink.net. Speaker on new service for disabled in
Northern Virginia and video on ossiointegration. |
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3 |
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4 |
Happy Birthday to David Hanscom |
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6-12 |
National Burn Awareness Week, Shriners Burns Hospital, 3229
Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229 |
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8 |
Fredericsksburg Area Amputee Support Team (FAAST) – Second Tuesday
of the month, 7:00-9:00 pm, The disAbility Resource Center, 409 Progress
Street, Fredericksburg, VA. Contact Greg Wright, 540-899-2655 or
800-333-4102. |
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12 |
Happy Birthday to Thomas Watts |
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14 |
National Donor Day, Division of Transplantation, OSP,
HRSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Parklawn Building, Room
16C-17, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, (301) 443-7577, email: ask@hrsa.gov, www.organdonor.gov
Materials available |
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15 |
Washington Amputee Association (WAA) – Third Tuesday
of the month, 6:30-8:30 pm, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving
Street, NW, Washington, DC, Ground Floor Dining Room (rear section, near the
windows and behind the partition). Contact Roy Dwyer, 301-897-2816.
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16 |
Kernan Hospital Amputee Support Group – Third
Wednesday of the month, 6:00-8:00 pm, SCI Gym Room G604, Kernan Hospital,
2200 Kernan Dr., Gwynn Oak, MD. Contact Mark Senker at
410-581-7027. Snow Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2005. Sponsor: Jeff Cups, Chesapeake Rehabilitation Equipment. Speaker: Darlene Sullivan, Canine Partners for Life. Topic: Service Dogs for Independence. Happy Birthday to Chris Laabs & Ann Matulis |
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18 |
Happy Birthday to |
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19 |
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24 |
Ability With Mobility – Last Thursday
of the month, 6:00-8:00 pm, 2nd floor, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of
Maryland, 9909 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD. Contact Sandy
Shehadeh, 240-864-6200. |
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28 |
Happy Birthday to Althenia Mozee |
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Happy Birthday to Jeanne McCormick and Cathy Yeager
Happy Birthday to Don Deer
He who thinks too much about every
step he takes will stay on one leg all his life. -- Chinese Proverb
ORGANIZING (OR
RE-ORGANIZING) A SELF-HELP GROUP
Starting,
or re-starting, a local amputee peer support program is not an easy thing to
do. You will be competing with the
larger charities for donations and, generally speaking, the leader of a local
support group is responsible for holding the group together and doing most of
the work. However, the rewards are
many and, if you are willing to volunteer, the group might be successful and in
a position to assist a large number of amputees seeking guidance and
direction. Most importantly, the
group will become the information source for your community regarding services,
funding sources, rehabilitation facilities, peer support, prosthetic services,
and recreational activities. The
following is a suggested outline or road map on the steps necessary to begin an
amputee (or any other) peer support group.
1. GETTING
ORGANIZED
´
Determine the location of the archives of the support group. Cheryl Battle at INOVA Fairfax
Hospital keeps records and ASGNVA records are published in the newsletter which
is kept up to date in a binder in the Lending Library as well as on the web
page with a copy on anybody’s PC that wants to save the page.
´
Select a date, time and place for the meeting and put
together flyers to hand out to prosthetic facilities, orthopedic surgeons’ offices,
hospital social work departments, and rehabilitation facilities to generate
interest in the group. ASGNVA
has an established date, time and place (1st Tuesday of every month
from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, Telestar Court Building, Gemini Room, 2990 Telestar Court,
Falls Church, VA) and we have lots of flyers to distribute. We just don’t have anyone to distribute
the flyers. Are you going to the
doctors? To PT? Anywhere you might think of to leave
flyers? Do any of you prosthetists
or therapists or doctors need any brochures or business cards? I don’t have time to check with each of
you personally. Please contact me
if you want a handful of brochures/flyers and I’ll get some in the mail to you
to distribute. Also, the meeting
place is very handicapped accessible (flat, flat, flat) except that it’s a
loooong walk from the parking lot to the room.
´
Organize a plan of action and set goals you would like to
see accomplished to serve the needs of local amputees and the professionals who
serve them. Prepare this idea in a
statement and outline what your plans are and how they might be a possible
solution to the problem. ASGNVA
did create a MISSION STATEMENT setting forth the goals and mission of the group. It’s on the Unofficial Web Page.
´
Have this outline prepared in a package that you can
present to persons who might be willing to serve on the initial Board of Directors. Well, this is the prepared package
and, if you’re reading this, you are one of the persons who might be willing to
serve on the Board of Directors.
Think about it.
´
Hold your first meeting. I’ll be at both the February 1 and March 1 meetings. If no one is willing to volunteer his
or her time to serve on the Board of Directors, then I won’t be at the April 5
meeting.
´
Consider initiating a Share-A-Ride program for those who
will need assistance to attend. I’ve
considered this before – many, many times before. If somebody can get you in and out of the car at your house
and your problem is at the meeting end, it’s not a problem. I already sometimes pick up one person
at one point and another person at another place. It all depends on who they have available on their ends. You know my email (betheharris@earthlink.net), you
know my phone number (540-439-3656), and you know the ASGNVA email (asgnva@earthlink.net). My cell is 540-272-8623 and please don’t
call me unless you really need me but if you really need me, please call me.
2. DEVELOPING
A BOARD OF DIRECTORS
´
Begin identifying possible board members. Approach individuals and ask if they
would be willing to serve at least one year. At the end of their term, the board members should be willing
to find a replacement or continue serving. I’m asking all of you to stand up and take a little
responsibility for helping another person along a path that you’ve already been
down. Some of these tasks that
need to be performed actually might take 2 hours a month. But ASGNVA needs someone to be responsible
for completing the task and “reporting back” to the membership.
´
In the first board meeting, decide what the group’s main
priority is in serving the amputee.
Are you primarily going to be a support group, an information center,
provide hospital visitation, or what?
Get a handle on what you are going to do and try to set some time frame
on your goals. OK, I guess that’s
a topic for the February and/or March meeting.
