Support Groups

It can be very beneficial to connect with others who are experiencing the same pain and frustrations with repetitive strain injuries (RSI) as you are. Sometimes simply knowing that there are other people out there in the world, and even in your area, with RSI can help.

If there is not an RSI support group in your area already, start one. No matter where you live, there are sure to be others who, like you, suffer from RSI. Also, by starting an RSI support group, you can spread information that will help prevent others from getting any sort of typing injuries themselves.

Here are some tips on how to start your own support group:

• First check and ensure that there are no RSI support groups already in existence in your area.
• Decide just how committed you are to your goal – are you going to be able run it for 5 years, or just a few months? Do you have the time it takes to organize the support group? Etc.
• Talk with the leaders of other support groups – even talking with someone who leads a support group completely different from your own can help you understand how to run yours and what you will need. Even going to a few of their meetings can help.
• Find like-minded people to help you out: search for volunteers. Two heads is better than one! Finding even just one other person interested in and committed to starting an RSI support group can really get the ball rolling.
• Decide where you are going to meet.
• Decide how often you will meet – you can set up an RSI support group that meets weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly, etc.
• Start your network – To spread the word about your RSI group, you can post on the Internet or advertise in free weekly newspapers. You could also go to large corporations and post information on their bulletin boards (be sure to ask, first. Some companies may even let you give a small presentation). Eventually, word of your RSI support group is bound to spread.
• Be prepared with handouts and good information at your very first meeting, but don’t make it too long.
• Be consistent with your meeting time and place.
• Get people’s e-mail addresses and/or other contact information – it is good to have this information in case you need to contact people to cancel or change a meeting, etc. But the information is also good for everyone to have if they need some support outside of the meetings.
• Listen to suggestions and ideas that your members have.
• Come up with your own fun ideas for your meetings – you can have the group discuss their own experiences as well as resources found. You can also find guest speakers to come and enlighten your group. You could even take your group to offices and give presentations on how to prevent injuries, too.

And if you are not feeling so ambitious to start your own RSI support group, look into joining an Injured Workers Group. In an Injured Workers Group, there will be people with typing injuries like yours, as well as persons with a variety of other injuries.

One of these groups is a great place to glean information on legislation for injured workers as well as find support. Look for a group that has been in existence for multiple years. Also, you should also find out whether the group is a support group and/or an advocacy group before joining.