Posted by fallsfall on May 22, 2005, at 11:09:38
In reply to Re: Lar, does it look possible for you? » Larry Hoover, posted by Dinah on May 22, 2005, at 9:30:16
Happyflower asked some questions on the Psychological Board (http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050521/msgs/501108.html), but I'll answer them here.
My understanding is that we will have dinner on Friday night with Dr. Bob.
Then we will decide if we want to "do" things on Saturday. The activities seem fairly low key and hopefully inexpensive. And all will be completely optional. I expect there will be a bit of sitting in a park talking, too.
I'll be around all day Sunday, so if people want to stay later in the weekend, I'd love to have some company.
Happyflower also asked about bringing families. This is a harder question. And I'd like some help thinking it through. My goal in coming is to get some connection to like-minded people, and to have a face and some mannerisms to connect to names on the board. I'm also looking forward to spending time with the people who come - rather than the 15 minutes here, 15 minutes there that get carved out of my day for Babble (OK, sometimes is it 2 hours here, 2 hours there.......).
What impact would others' families have on that? I guess some of it would depend on how in tune they are with the issues of mental health. I guess I see this more as a conference, than as a party. So people who weren't interested in discussing "the topics" would be quickly bored. I'm also expecting to be able to talk as openly as we write here on the boards. So I think about talking about suicide ideation, self-injury etc. But at the same time, I wouldn't have a problem limiting those conversations with people who were comfortable with that (like having a "trigger-free zone" for those who are not?). The group is getting large enough (more than 4) so that we will necessarily break into subgroups much of the time, so it seems to be getting easier to allow us to be open, and protect those who are vulnerable to triggers at the same time.
As I reread this, I see, though, that it is overly restrictive, because I really do want to get to know who you guys are - and we are so much more than our psychological problems. So I don't want you to think that I expect to talk only about therapy and misery and cognitive distortions. I want to talk about family and hobbies and work and goals and dreams, too.
On the other side, I've participated in a Depression Support group, and there were times when people would bring their parents, siblings, spouses to the group. I was always happy to have them there, and found that it was a great time to both give them information about mental illness and to find out how significant people in our lives are affected by our situations.
So, I guess if family were genuinely interested in understanding our world better it would be OK. But if they are just looking for a social outing, it might not be the best place.
I would be cautious about bringing children - our topics can be pretty "mature".
What do other people think? I think this is an important question to discuss. Thanks, Happyflower, for bringing it up!
Logistically, I am planning to stay in the Michigan Ave area of town. But I don't want to publicize just where - in case I need to be able to hide for some reason!
Sounds like we will need to make a reservation at a restaurant for Friday night. Perhaps we can find a restaurant that would have a separate room or area for us (except we are going to have trouble coming up with a firm number!!). Dr. Bob, or someone who is familiar with Chicago, do you have suggestions?
I eat almost anything, except I really don't like spicy things (so Mexican is pretty much out, and Indian is difficult but possible). I'd be happy at Italian (including Pizza), Oriental, Steak (though we should choose someplace that does have vegetarian entrees, I assume - anyone vegetarian?), what else is there? It doesn't need to be fancy. I don't want to spend exhorbitant amounts of money. But the food should be appealing and relatively nutritious. I will want to save my non-nutritious moments for ICE CREAM!!! We have to go out for ice cream... Maybe that is what we have for lunch on Saturday - Ice cream.
I propose that the location of Friday night dinner be the piece of information that is given to us so that we can meet. We can make all arrangements for the rest of the weekend at Friday night dinner. If someone is going to miss dinner, we can make special arrangements to hook them up with us on Saturday. I do NOT want the restaurant posted here on the board. Dr. Bob, did you say that we have a yahoo mailing list set up? What is it and how does it work? What are the "rules" for being on the list (evidence of plane/train tickets, or hotel reservations, or proof that you live close enough to drive, other??)? Who can send mail to the list?
This is going to be a blast!!!!!!
poster:fallsfall
thread:5509
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050517/msgs/501205.html