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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2006-06-14, Page 12OF THE WEEK "YOUR RENOVATION AND HOME SPECIALISTS!" Page 12 June 14 , 2006 • The Huron Expositor News :.-..a.'•....,.�.. ,..w V.. es H .._ Support group also offers advocacy From Page 11 Before the Seaforth group began, patients had to drive to London for a support group. "There was no other group nearby and the research was starting to show the value of peer support and self help," says Dinsmore. She says Huron Hospice began encountering patients looking for a place to talk, especially since a cancer diagnosis made them come face to face with their mortality. "There were so many who needed the support," she says. And, during the past 10 years, Dinsmore says at least 50 people have come to the support group, often for the short time they battle and sometimes triumph against the disease. Other members come and never leave, offering their support to newly - diagnosed patients who are inspired by an example of someone who has sur- vived. "We give people a place to go and talk. It can be difficult for people to express their feelings but everything is confidential here. If you want to cry, you can. Sometimes people have to put up a front for their families but here, they don't have to," says Chesney. "Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry, sometimes we pray," adds Dinsmore. Along with offering the support of a roomful of people who share the experi- ence of having cancer, the support group also provides advocacy. Facilitators sometimes accompany group members to treatment and can- cer patients compare notes about their treatment, gaining pointers about how to advocate for themselves with health- care professionals. "One man came with a notebook and • wrote everything down about what he should ask his doctor. Our goal is to empower people," says Dinsmore. Shirley, a support group member from Blyth who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, says she had fin- ished her treatment before coming to the support group. But, she wishes she had come during treatment. "If you've never had cancer, you don't know what to expect. To get the best benefits from the group, I should have been having treatments," she says. And, Shirley keeps coming because, as a survivor, she worsts to give others hope. "You can feel that bad now and still go on and be a healthy individual. Everyone thinks it's a death sentence but it's not," she says. Still, there are deaths among mem- bers and Dinsmore says when that happens, the group is a place to mourn together. "The nextmeeting, we always talk about that person and light a candle," she says. While 75 per cent of the support group members is usually women, men also attend both as patients and as family members of patients. "One man came because his wife had cancer and she wouldn't come. He needed someplace to talk and he left feeling better about the situation," says Chesney. The non-profit group operates solely on donations and is not funded by any organization. The Canadian Cancer. Society does provide resources such as pamphlets, books, videos and other information. The cancer support group meets the last Wednesday of every month in the activity room at the Seaforth Manor. YAM Excavating Inc. 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V3R 8P8 CALL: 1 888-458-9235 11116111010 P0013 & SPORTS SALES, SERVICE & INSTALLATION Above Ground Pools in Many gapes & Subs di 527.0104 234 Main 51. North Seaforth I= BORN CARPENTRY AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION t04& RENOVATIONS �;.Mike Boven Renovating? can AlloillisEWATER a o00NS 527.1538 Fax 527-2270 R.R. # 1 Blyth NNW !Mid' .• w Jo SAM • SUMS • MATALLATION • AUTNoilrs D wrrao o(M • .11.ur.MO t IMAMS • AM CONNUONN W 15 Ooderlcfh St, E., Seeiorth 527.0505 • Fine Furniture • Floor Coverings Dave & Charlotte Strome Box Furniture & Flfoor Coverings Main St. Sestorth 827.0480 www.boxfumiture.ce Council addresses letter A letter to the editor submitted to the Huron Expositor last week from a -member of the Horticultural Society raised some discussion during Huron East council last week. The letter addressed concern regarding the gathering of youths around town hall. Specifically, it made mention of the youths hanging off of the newly planted trees and using the benches as skate- board ramps. Seaforth Coun. Joe -Steffler pointed out that there is very little enforcement -of bylaws in Seaforth and there- fore they're very easy to break. • "If they're breaking the bylaw and showing disrespect, something needs to be done," he said. "There's no sense in organizing the Communities in Bloom if everything is going to be ruined," he added. McKillop Coun. Sharon McClure added that none of the coun- cillors would allow that - kind of behavior on their own lawn, and should not allow it on the town's property. Mayor Joe Seili expressed his concern not just for the treat- ment of the town's property, but how the youths supposedly argued with the Society's member after she confronted them. "We were always taught to respect our elders and most still do," he said. "It's just a few bad ones." Steffler went on to suggest that a bylaw officer more regularly supervise the town hall area at night. By JefHeuehert