How support groups showed me I am not alone

30 September 2024 | Support, Blog

Sammy was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and lives with the long-term management of both the physical and mental impact that the diagnosis has had on her life. Finding support and connection with others who are facing similar challenges has been vital for her and she is keen to encourage others to seek out any help available. These are her thoughts on the value of support groups.

I recently attended my first brain tumour support group in almost three years, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus. After the pandemic, fundraising for most of the brain tumour charities fell short for quite some time, probably beyond expectations, so that even when it was safe to mix with other people again there just wasn’t enough funding and therefore staff to start up most support groups.

I felt this loss keenly, after being lucky enough to have been able to attend a semi-regular support group in Essex and once I moved back home to Birmingham. I knew how much these meet-ups could help and support those attending.

Seeing a friendly face who understood the journey you were on was so reassuring, just knowing someone knew how you felt could make a world of difference but most of all knowing you are not alone is beyond valuable measure.

We need these support groups. For those on the outside, it’s just a bunch of people having coffee and chatting but to those attending it is a network of people who understand your issues, brain fog, fatigue, pain, the loss of self and perhaps more importantly, the grief for a life once lived and now forever changed.

My probably completely unsolicited advice to anyone in the brain tumour community is to take a chance, go to a support group meet up if you have one near you.

It may be difficult and scary at first but I guarantee you will leave there feeling lighter, less stressed, and more importantly, not alone anymore.

Sammy Johns | September 2024

We have a schedule of regular support groups open to anyone affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, whether as a patient, family member, friend or caregiver. Read about the online and face-to-face Brain Tumour Support groups that are coming up, or contact our Support Co-ordinator on support@braintumoursupport.co.uk / 01454 422701 to find out more.