Why groups are cool

[bronwynrh]

I posted this tonight. In my cynicism, I've always thought that group therapy and group stuff was all bs stupid. I still joined the migraines community because migraines are such an isolating condition and I really wanted to see what others were discovering/dealing with/fighting whatever.

What a great group.

Comments

You're always a pain in the ass.

[bramey.livejournal.com]

On your first point: I say it's isolating because of the non-migraneur habit of treating them like joe-schmoe headaches. You and I both know that these are not headaches. Yes, it's simply because people who don't suffer from x y or z can't really understand it. But with things like headache or back pain, people tend to minimize them and I've found many people to be downright demeaning about it. "You went to the ER for a headache?!?"

It's also isolating in a more literal sense. I get them frequently enough that I spend at least four or five days out of every month cowering in a dark room. Not to mention all the days I walk around wearing sunglasses indoors or all the expensive medications I have to keep on hand or the fact that I have to shove some of them up my ass. These sorts of things are uncommon enough - at least at the severity and frequency that some of us have to deal with them - that it can feel pretty damn isolating.

As for the second point: No, I honestly have no insurance. I didn't pay for the extension plan last Fall, and since I was essentially a persona non grata at the university, my coverage disappeared as of August 15th. My regular paycheck disappeared in May. My fault for not understanding the insurance policy, but it wasn't a problem until I had to go to the ER. The good news is that the Pre-existing condition clause doesn't exist here (I don't know if it's an academic thing or a general change or what). In any case, it won't be a problem. I assume my coverage (once I get it) will be back-dated to my start date on Jan. 3rd, but the gap between august and now means that all those bills are all mine.

I've got more than enough even without the ER bill to meet the 7.5% minimum for the tax deduction. Yay.

I'll get a payment plan for this bill and will move on. It was just a rude shock at a time when money is already tight.