Do you have chronic pain? Please join the Marin support group of the American Chronic Pain Association!
This group is designed for people with chronic pain to focus on improving the quality of our lives, not to dwell on the negative symptoms we're encountering. From the American Chronic Pain Association website: "ACPA groups do not focus on symptoms or provide treatment of any kind. Rather they are a means for people to share what they have learned and to encourage others to create more satisfying lives."
If you weren't able to attend March's meeting, we missed you and really hope you'll join us again next month! We had a wonderful meeting this month and discussed many topics, including: our basic rights as people with chronic pain, getting cleaning and organizing done at home, tackling our endless to-do lists, making goals for the coming month, and how important it is to get out and do social activities! Please be thinking about future topic ideas and bring them to the next meeting!
We will be meeting on May 3rd at 4:15pm! Our location is at Marin Covenant Church in San Rafael. When entering the parking lot, turn right and head toward the actual church. Once you see a few handicapped spots beside a walkway and the church is in your view, park there! Walk along the walkway and our room is the first room on your right (Youth Room). There are NO stairs!
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After previous discussions on deciding the time and length of the meeting, we've tried to accommodate as many people as possible. We realize that it's difficult for everyone to arrive on time when certain issues arise, like having a pain flare or getting stuck in traffic. Additionally, it's true for all of us with chronic pain that we need to plan our day well in advance so we can make it to appointments and activities on time. I hope I've come up with a better plan to allow you to schedule your time accordingly so you are able to arrive to the meeting on time.
Please plan to arrive to the meeting at 4:15pm. This will allow you time to go to the bathroom, sign in, make a name tag, get settled into a comfortable seat, and have some light conversation with your fellow group members. Arriving late makes it difficult for the group to stay on track and it makes our time together shorter. We all completely understand if there are circumstances out of your control that make it difficult for you to arrive on time, so please don't worry if that happens.
Our hope is that this time change will allow you to arrive on time so we may all start the group together, so everyone can hear all of the information given during the beginning of the meeting, and so that there's no distraction to the group. We are all extremely grateful for your consideration!
Since we're sitting in close quarters, please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne, which may trigger symptoms for those in our group with migraines. There are couches and some upright standard folding chairs in the room, but feel free to bring your own pillows or whatever will make you comfortable. You are welcome to lie on the floor or get up and walk around during our meeting; please do whatever is most comfortable for you!
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Please take a moment to RSVP by e-mailing the group facilitator! (marinpaingroup@gmail.com) Thank you! Until we see each other, be AWAP (as well as possible)!
