We just finished tonight first ICAMA support group meeting, and I wanted to thank everyone for their participation. We had a few technical difficulties with the connection for the long distance patience, but we will work hard to improve the techy aspect each month we regroup. We had some suggestions from those who were here after the meeting came to a close. Some suggested we have topics dedicated to time. So, we could have an opening half hour for general info for any newcomers and then devote each next half hour to different topics such as shopping, restaurants, sex, family issues, and anything else that people want to discuss. Understandably we only have two hours per meeting ( I think more than that might be too exhausting), so we could switch topics each succeeding month or we could expand upon the same ones.
What I think is great is that as the meeting went on tonight people were trying to really reach out to one another and offer their own insights and experiences. This was really lovely to hear and see. This is a tough road as all of you know, but, we are on it together to help along the journey. I am really looking forward to next month. If you have any other suggestions, please post a response to this email. And, if it is private, you are welcomed to email me privately. After tonights meeting I have so many things I want to post on the blog about things that I feel will be helpful topics. My computer will be unavailable to me for the next day or two, but I will be posting a bunch next week if not sooner.
Goodnight
Matia
Comments
Thanks
I did enjoy the meeting. Thank you to Matia and for those that participated. I did have to call from my phone because I could not figure put how to do it from the computer. Hopefully next time. It would be nice to be able to see one another I guess that may happen in time. Focussing on different topics sounds great.
I have to say that hearing others stories especially those that are not in treatment and are on all sorts of pain killers was scary for me. I tend to only want to want to focus on the positive stories and try to avoid negative experiences. I feel anxious and fearful that it could be my reality. I feel this way if I go to any other sites besides this one and so I avoid them. Someone spoke about hope and that is what I get from ICAMA.
The meeting was wonderful I
The meeting was wonderful I really am greatful to have been able to be a part of it. Thank you Matia. I think possibly we should open up a section for topics in the board. Your mic was the easiest to hear. I could not here Jennee at all. I wonder if you could repeat the questions when people say them? Did you use your phone. I wasn't sure how to do that and I thought i needed to use the gizmo to connect. I think the instructions on how to get in need to be explained to everyone.
I have to say that night i slept better then i have in a long time. It made me remeber when i used to live near by and I just cryed when i got off line. I so what to come out for a visit.
meeting
Thank you to everyone who tried to help me connect to the meeting- I didn't get your messages until too late to try on the phone. Not sure why I didn't think to try that? I will try again in January! I am sad I missed it but I am very glad it happened and was a success down and that people got supported and that its going to be a regular thing. I'm sure all the kinks and bumps will get straightened out technologically wise. Look forward to meeting everyone and if anyone would like to share anything memorable from the meeting- any ideas and topics- that were discussed for those of us who couldn't tune in- please do so! Take care!Mary
I belive Matia was going to
I belive Matia was going to write about what was discussed in the meeting on here once she has her computer back up. SHe said her IT guy was going to be working on it for a few days and then she would post.
It was a lot as you can imagine the meeting was two hours. one thing i know I asked about was having a chat funtion in the boards because that was topic over in the facebook post. Matia said she would have her IT guy work on that. I am also looking forward to the possibility of having a web cam meeting so that we can all see each other. I was thinking that might even be good for our sessions with Matia. It would feel more like a visit. I know some of you are not computer savy. I have been looking at the web cam reviews and I know that the microsoft and the linkeys are not compatible with other programs so I would not recomend getting those brands. I am looking into one of the philips ones myself. I spent about 2 hrs reading reviews. This should be intersting to find out.
I wanted to note that Matia
I wanted to note that Matia didn't charge for this meeting. I did talk to a few people who didn't attend because they thought there was a charge. I thought it would be important to say that so when Jan comes around it is known. :) I am looking forward to the next meeting.