How has the group affected your personal life? I have asked several members what they get from the group, and the key is support. Support from others who have similar problems and fears, and help with decisions – both making them and living with them. The support is heartfelt at every meeting, not just for me, but also for everyone attending. Just last month we met at a new, local outpatient physical therapy clinic, and the support staff there commented on our great group dynamics. I love being a part of this group: it isn’t a job, it is a valuable role! That will always keep me motivated. What would you say to someone who has recently been diagnosed with MS? Sit back, go ahead and cry. It’s not as bad as you think at first. Take it one day at a time. Find a doctor that you trust and who will talk to you. Get on a disease-modifying therapy. Find a support group, either in person, or online. It doesn’t really have to be a group. Just find some- one who “gets MS” and talk to them. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a support group? If you want to start your own group, put an article in the newspaper or on Facebook. Identify a place for the first meeting. Get in touch with MS Focus. They will walk you through all the ways to make it happen. I think you will be surprised how easy it is. What do you think it takes to be support group leader? Running a support group is fairly easy. Just be open minded, friendly, and be willing to share your feelings, fears, and questions. Help the group stay focused and don’t let one person do all the talking. Be flexible, even if I have something planned, I change it to meet the needs of the group. We all take turns coming up with ideas for community events, speakers, or topics. Being a group leader is easy, as long as you work with the group. You will be surprised at what you can do together. The Valley MS Support Group usually meets on the last Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 207 South Hopkins St., Sayre, PA 18840. For more information, please contact Pamela Secrist at 570-888-9053 or catmindy@verizon.net. This past August, The Valley MS Support Group held an awareness and fundraising event and raised over $500 on behalf of MS Focus. Efforts like these allow us to continue helping and serving the MS community. From everyone at MS Focus, thank you and keep up the wonderful work! 3 Answers! The Valley MS Support Group