Page 24 - Issue 05 2nd edition

important to consider these factors before
joining an online group.
Benefits of online groups include:
1. More frequent or flexible
participation
2. Opportunities for people who may
not have local face-to-face support
groups
3. A degree of privacy or anonymity
Risks of online support groups include the
following:
• Communication only by written text
can lead to misunderstanding or
confusion among group members.
• Anonymity may lead to
inappropriate or disrespectful
comments or behaviours.
• Participation online may result in
isolation from other friends or
family.
• Online communities may be
particularly susceptible to
misinformation or information
overload.
• People may use the online
environment to prey on people,
promote a product or commit fraud.
So, we have looked at the Pros and Cons
of support groups be they physical or
online. The decision of which one/s to join
is yours just remember that they are not
going to be permanent. As you progress
through your journey you will move in and
out of different support groups depending
on which best suits your situation at the
time.
As a final reminder the benefits of
participating in a support group may
include:
• Feeling less lonely, isolated or
judged
• Reducing distress, depression,
anxiety or fatigue
24 The Childless Not By Choice Magazine: Sept/Oct 2018 Issue #05
• Talking openly and honestly about
your feelings
• Improving skills to cope with
challenges
• Staying motivated to manage
chronic conditions or stick to
treatment plans
• Gaining a sense of empowerment,
control or hope
• Improving understanding of a
condition and your own experience
with it
• Getting practical feedback about
possible options
To be honest I’ve been struggling to find
my “real” tribe. You see in the four years
that Nicci and I have been active within
the CNBC community I have only met one
other person who comes close to having
experienced what I have been through. I
say “come close” because although they
lost their son due to similar severe
disabilities their marriage survived.
So, my tribe seems to be a tribe of one
plus an understanding wife. Fortunately, I
have discovered people with the CNBC
communities who appreciated despite
having been a father a long time ago, I
am still very much childless not by choice.
Andrew is an occasional guest blogger on
www.Canbace.com
Or you can follow him on Twitter
@thecnbcmagazine