New Support Group in Canterbury

Lorraine · Post by **Lorraine** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 5:16 pm

Hello Girls. Gosh I haven't posted on this side for so long - I feel like a stranger amongst you all - hope you are friendly!!!! I am firmly in the 'Life after' these days so most of you won't know me, but I have come over here as I recently joined a support group in Canterbury which I have found to be both useful and welcoming so thought I would share it with you in case it appealed to anyone else. The East Kent Fertility Support Group has only just started up - we have met twice now - and a Sara Turner and Caroline Barnes run it. There was a piece in the local Kentish Gazette (Sept 25th) - I didn't see it but thankfully a friend sent it to me. (Thank you CR!) Both Sara and Caroline have personal experiences of infertility so understand the issues and the consequences it has upon our lives. Their aim is to 'create a circle of women who can draw strength and support from each other and to use women's unique energy to explore alternative pathways to healing and balance, whether or not a baby is conceived'. Until this group meeting I had never actually met another woman who was involuntarily childless - for me the experience was incredibly powerful - sitting in a room with other "sufferers" - their pain was audible - but for the first time I felt like I was in a place where people really understood me and my misery!!! Considering I never ACTUALLY spoke I think that's pretty mind blowing!!! But it was enough for me to just sit there! Sara and Caroline pretty much let the group lead - but they do try to shape the meeting so it has some structure - last time we talked about some of the mechanisms we use to make ourselves feel better - I found it very insightful. I really do think that I have found a warm and comforting place to be, and perhaps more importantly a safe place to discuss the isolation, sadness, poor self image, negative impact upon relationships and FEAR that childlessness can generate. On behalf of the group I extend a welcome to those of you who live close by. For more information please contact - Sara on sara_turner@msn.com or Caroline on Caroline.barnes@hemscott.net The group meets again on DECEMBER 10th at THE RED CROSS HALL CHANCERY LANE CANTERBURY 7.30-9.00pm. To all of you currently having treatment I wish you success, to those on their 2 week wait I pray you will see that little blue line and for the rest of you 'muddling through' I especially hope you find happiness, peace and tranquility in your lives. With love and best wishes From Lorraine xxxxxxx

fi · Post by fi » Thu Nov 20, 2003 5:46 pm

wow lorraine, what a great msg, thats really great that a group has been set up. we are looking to move your way soon, so i may join the group at some point in the future. our story is 3 icsis, i resulting in a positive and then an ectopic..i feel i have been really losing it lately since every single relation/friend is letting us know their happy news of expectancy and each time grips me with that horrible aching yearning pain. i wish you all the best, whether we join you in the life after section whos to say but thanks for letting us know about the group. wishing you lots of good evenings in the new friendship group, luv fi