Emerge from the Cocoon of Lupus
(PRWEB) July 03, 2015 -- The Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens was founded by Doris Shaer in 1975 to provide advocacy, education, funding and support to those living with Lupus on Long Island. As someone living with lupus, her goal was to reach out and help others while creating a network of members in the Lupus community at the LALIQ. As the founder, and very first Executive Director, Doris’ admirable mission serves as the foundation of what the Lupus Alliance of Long Island Queens today is all about. Following in its founders footsteps, the new Executive Director of the Lupus Alliance of LIQ, Patricia D`Accolti has made restructuring and reinvigorating the LALIQ support groups her top priority.
Impassioned by the mission of the LALIQ, Patricia stated, “Living with Lupus, a chronic and deadly disease is difficult to manage without support. Often those affected by Lupus are inundated with doctor’s visits, hospital stays, excessive medical bills and a multitude of unique issues. This culmination has the ability to take an emotional toll on our members. I have listened to our member’s needs and how we can best serve them. Therefore, providing the best possible support groups to let them know we are here to help is of the most importance.”
The LALIQ’s new support groups, “Emerge from the Cocoon of Lupus” are a topic based program open to anyone with lupus, family members and caregivers. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experience, strength and hope in a safe environment where their thoughts and feelings will be kept in confidence. This warm and inviting program offers those who can only understand best what it’s like to live with Lupus a non-judgmental and supportive reprieve from the worries that often accompany the disease. Some meetings will also include experts who speak on Lupus related topics. For example, the August meetings will welcome Ilene Corrina of Pulse NY to discuss “being your own advocate when in the hospital”. The LALIQ is also proud to offer at its September meeting, expert on disability benefits, attorney Jared Rada to discuss “applying for disability as a Lupus patient”. Topics change monthly and there are even meetings where the LALIQ will be offering give ways such a sunscreen specifically targeted to Lupus patients.
The support groups are conveniently located in all three counties that the LALIQ serves. Please visit the website at http://www.laliq.org for information on meeting topics, dates and times.
JC VanderPutten, Lupus Alliance of LIQ, +1 (516) 783-3370 Ext: 2002, [email protected]
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