Page 32 - Issue 05 2nd edition
P. 32
If there is one thing that I have learnt distance or at your fingertips.
over the years is that when you are going Unfortunately, this is probably not the
through s*** it is easier to navigate to case. Your closest face-to-face group may
the other side when you have the support be so far away that it is not practical, in
that you need AND deserve. There is a which case on-line it is.
saying that “a picture pains a thousand
words: however, it has to be the right Let’s image that we are in that wonderful
picture. ideal world and have loads of choices.
Now let’s compare the merits (and the
We have frequent reminders of that when opposite) of face-to-face meetings with
beneficial advice about dealing with on-line support
infertility and childlessness is ruined by
the pictures of bouncing babies that the Face-to-face merits: groups in the “real
media feel is obligatory to such articles. world” are great because you actually get
to meet people. Also, if you find that you
What has this got to do with support? Well have a real connection with anyone, there
support is only REALLY support when it is are opportunities for grabbing a cup of
the RIGHT support. coffee or sharing a pizza from time to
time. In addition, some support groups
So, how do know if it’s the right support? invite alternative therapy practitioners to
give taster-sessions for you could
Partly this is going to be trial and error: experience something like Rieke for the
you won’t know that it’s the wrong first time.
support group until you realise that you
are not getting the support you need. Face-to-face drawbacks: when you are
That being said there are some things you feeling at your most vulnerable and in
can do before them to increase your need of support this is often when you
chances of joining the right group(s) in find it harder to leave the house or meet
the first place. So, time to put by Business people in public. Although other group
Analyst hat back on and give you a step members won’t be judgemental it takes
by step logical process! extra courage to go to a meeting when
your eyes are swollen from crying so
1. Let’s get physical much or you haven’t brushed your hair in
a week.
In support the first question to ask
yourself is do you want to find support On-line merits: the groups are there
that is local to you, so you can attend 24/7 if you need them. There are also far
physical meetings, or do you prefer the more options, so you can belong to
flexibility and slight anonymity of on-line different types of groups to “nurture”
groups? Only you can answer that. In an different aspects of your life. You can
ideal world you would have a plethora of belong to specifically CNBC support
both types of groups within easy driving groups as well as infertility groups, self-
32 The Childless Not By Choice Magazine: Sept/Oct 2018 Issue #05
