Monday, March 7, 2011
Mental Health and Physical Disabilities
I went to a support group meeting for people suffering from a degenerative neuromuscular disease. These people progressively loose control of their voluntary muscle control and become severely disabled until they are completely dependent for all their needs. After hearing about the physical losses these people have had to bear, the fears they have for the future, the worry they have for their caregivers and the impact on their lives due to this disease, it was no surprise to find that these people also suffered severe depression and anxiety. I would not be surprised to find suicide attempts or anger/aggression in this population of people given the prognosis for this disease. What I did find surprising and moving was how these people could joke and laugh about their experiences one minute and cry the next. Watching the the whole therapeutic process of group support was amazing and how the leader got them to share with and connect with each other was a fantastic learning experience.
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Last year when I went to a MS support group,and there was a young man and his mom present at the meeting. He had been diagnosed with MS about 2 years earlier but had never attended any type of support group. The group gave them so much support and love; it was amazing to watch how they took this young boy under their wings. Before he left he said he didn't really want to come but his mom made him. He said that he was glad he had listened to his mom and that he was feeling better about what the future might hold for him.
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