Looking for Good Spirits

[Osirius608]

Where are the local support groups that do things together away from internet?😀

[Bassetmommer]

Good luck with that. When I was first diagnosed, I too looked for local support. We have a National Kidney Foundation office here. They did not have a support group. They did for a while do Kidney cooking classes every month and they were great. But COVID did that in. See what the local office in your area has.

although remote, I highly recommend their peer mentor program. You talk on the phone to someone assigned to you who has CKD similar to you. Great program. I have used them twice and have a life long friend with one. I am also have been a peer mentor. Very rewarding.

[Osirius608 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks for your guidance

[Kbristow]

I am also finding that almost all of the support groups are still virtual. However check with your local National Kidney Foundation if they know of any near you. And let the virtual ones know you would like to meet in person. Perhaps with enough people they will have an option to meet in-person, or at least hybrid.

Having said that, if you're in California, the Central Valley area (near Tulare) has a group that has transitioned to hybrid; a few people meet in person and someone there opens the zoom for others to join virtually. It's hard to stop the virtual one because they now have people who live very far away.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, a group of patients are meeting up for a walk in Alameda. While not a support group, it's just a casual meetup at a public park - a good way to connect and get some exercise. Message me if anyone wants to know more.

[horsie63 in reply to Kbristow]

If you have a social worker at your center you might check with them.

[Osirius608 in reply to horsie63]

Good idea, THANKS!

[Osirius608 in reply to Kbristow]

I'm in Maryland...🥺

[Benjamin124]

Most support groups are still virtual, but check with your local National Kidney Foundation for any nearby. In California's Central Valley, there's a hybrid group near Tulare. In the SF Bay Area, patients are meeting for walks in Alameda.