Members Asking for Advice From Other members
“Keeping on the level: Living well with long-term health conditions.”
Links to watch the full meeting video are at the bottom of this page
Introduction Where we clarified some guiding principles of the group and our meetings. Confidentiality – As a support group, we encourage all to speak openly about what issues that they face, but as such we ask everyone to respect everyone’s privacy and keep confidential any specific personal matters that are supplied during our meetings We are not doctors – We are not medically trained or qualified, so we will never seek to advise on treatments or medical matters. Whatever advice or personal experiences are shared, everyone should always consult with their own medical and healthcare experts for the best medical care and advice. We are not a charity – We are not a registered charity, we handle no money, we have no money. We are just people helping people. Where we require money to fund leaflets or posters, we approach local companies for them to buy on our behalf. Positive Only – We are a support group, with the emphasis being upon support, so we encourage everyone to seek the positive in what we discuss, in our members situations and our overall attitude to our mutual challenges. Let us always try to find solutions rather than be dragged down by the problems, and let us always give encouragement and hope to each other. Tolerance & Friendship – The group is for everyone, and we can all seek different things from belonging to this group, but at the very least I hope we will all find some degree of friendship and comfort from meeting and knowing our fellow members. Let us all be tolerant of differences and respect that balance disorders come in many flavours and affect any person in any walk of life and at any age – so we of all groups, should acknowledge and celebrate the variety and differences in our members. Charity Support – The group is supported by the Menieres Society and VeDA as an official support group listed by both of their web sites. We support both charities in their good work for all things related to balance issues.
Our Expert Guest Speaker was – You!
Yes, for a change we were not inviting a guest expert to present to us, but instead we are allowing all and any members to have their say about what they want to talk about or ask advice of other members.
As you know we already share members requests for help to other members, and we have had quite a few requests come in since the last group meeting, so we thought we would devote one group meeting to our members and their own appeals for help, advice or a “balance buddy” for on going support with a certain issue they are having.
How it works – (for future reference, when we do this again) for members only
- Email before the meeting – If you have any areas of your balance condition that you think other members may be able to comment on, offer the benefit of their advice or have a view on to help you – then email in the subject of your question and we will ensure that this gets on our list of topics to be put out there to all at the meeting. email to contact@lifeonthelevel.org
- We can ask your question on your behalf – For those who don’t like to speak at the meeting just mention in the email if we are OK to mention your name (or not) and if you would rather Rupal or any of our team asks the question for you. Also do mention if you can’t be at the meeting , so we are not looking for you.
- All Members welcome to respond during the meeting – Once you ask the question at the meeting (or we ask for you) all other members will get a chance to respond in person, where we will need to ensure all get to speak who want to where time allows.
- You can respond after the meeting as well if you can help – If you want to respond and help that member BUT don’t want to speak during the meeting there are two ways you can respond. A) use the zoom chat to send your email address or phone number to only the member who asked the question OR B) email myself after the meeting has finished, mention the name of the member or the issue and say that you would like your email and or phone number passing on as you would like to help.
Members had to email their question ahead and give as much detail as you think is necessary, and we will put it on the list . If time allows at the end, we will allow any other question to be asked, but we could run out of time to do this.
Questions were restricted to one per member and it should be focused around how the members responses can help you personally with regard to your own balance challenges (your symptoms, how to get better, how to live your life etc) we won’t have time in this meeting to discuss other different but very important issues such as the NHS, lobbying or other general “community” issues. This meeting is just for you about helping you directly with good advice or experience form other members.
Life On The level says – This presentation is essential viewing for anyone who is living with a long term balance condition that is significantly affecting the ability to live your life – Listen to the concerns of our members and the great advice offered by other members who are further along with their own journey.
Watch the full meeting now on Face Book or Zoom
Click here to watch on Facebook
End of Meeting Notes
Please come and join us if you feel we can help and don’t wish to face your challenges alone. You are very very welcome.
