Did You Know?
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Sjögren's syndrome is one of the most prevalent auto-immune diseases affecting up to 430,000 Canadians, yet most people have never heard about it before! ... read more |
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Support Groups
Support
Founder, Lee Durdon, intent on improving her own quality of life and ability to cope with Sjögren's syndrome, reached out to other people living with the same disease. She found that by sharing useful, positive hints with people, it not only helped her to live more comfortably but those people she interacted with also benefited. These key elements became the foundation in the formation of the Society. The Society's goals include providing support and encouragement to patients living with Sjögren's Syndrome.
Making connections with other people who understand your circumstances can make all the difference in how you feel, cope and interact with those around you. Reaching out and talking to someone else who may have experienced the same difficult symptom and has found a strategy or product that has relieved it can be very helpful. Sjögren's patients across Canada are in search of this same connection and support.
Our volunteers act as support group leaders and local contact persons in their communities. A support group shares practical day-to-day living and coping strategies with each other in a confidential, supportive, environment. Meetings may include presentations from healthcare professionals discussing topics of interest to Sjögren's patients. Members will benefit and learn about Sjögren's from each other and the visiting professionals and in so doing, patients may enjoy a better quality of life.
Local support groups and telephone contact persons continue to take root and grow across Canada. Please contact the Society if you would like to join a support group near you. If a group is not available in your area please contact the Sjögren's Society of Canada to learn how you can volunteer and start a support group or act as a telephone contact person.
Find a Support Group
British Columbia
| Okanagan | Desiree Roell | 250-838-9378 |
| Vancouver | Myra Kuriyama | 604-946-9672 |
Ontario
| Brantford / Paris | Lynne Campbell | 519-758-1357 |
| Guelph / Kitchener / Waterloo / Milton Hamilton / Oakville / Burlington |
Lee Durdon contact Kelene Kinnersly |
416-629-0466 |
| London | Alison Shaefer & Helen Cockshutt | 519-858-9454 |
| Ottawa | Gail MacDonald | 613-526-5433 |
| St. Catharines | Elise Mathie | 905-684-7569 |
| Toronto | Mary-Lou Rahid | 905-856-5020 |
| Toronto | Wendy Shingler | 416-960-0668 |
Québec
| Montréal | Ginette Texier Association Sjögren's Syndrome Assoc. |
514-934-3666 |
Local Contact Persons
| Aurora | Gail McIntyre | 905-727-4501 |
| Brampton | Karen Johnson | 905-454-1889 |
| Sarnia | Carolyn Minielly | 519-542-4874 |
| Stratford / New Hamburg | Lynda Duckworth | 519-662-3699 |
| Woodbridge | Mary-Lou Rashid | 905-856-5020 |
If you are interested in finding out more information about becoming a volunteer contact person or support group leader in your area, please phone the Sjögren's Society of Canada at 1-888-558-0950 or email us at info@sjogrenscanada.org. We would be extremely pleased to hear from you and answer any questions you have.
Government Programs
Applying for Canada Pension Plan Disability or Retirement Benefits
Article: Decisions, Decisions: CPP - Disability or CPP - Retirement?
Pamela Bowes, MEd, Director of Support Services, Lupus Canada
Sjögren's Society of Canada August 2007 Newsletter
Click here to read the article.
Article: Applying for Canada Pension Plan and Disability Benefits at the Same Time?
Pamela Bowes, MEd, Director of Support Services, Lupus Canada
Sjögren's Society of Canada August 2007 Newsletter
Click here to read Ask an Expert, Question and Answer.
For more information about government programs and benefits go to the Lupus Canada government benefits web page at www.lupuscanada.org/english/govbenefits.