Empower Yourself

If ever a person is to go through a traumatic experience, the most important and healthy remedy is a support system. It is scientifically proven that the power and force in numbers creates unity amongst masses and that they can move past obstacles of even the most difficult times if they stick together. Health support groups are perhaps the most popular, and yes, the most helpful. The resources that are provided and available are endless, and no one will feel alone. It is possible to defeat the impossible.

Through research of my own, I came across a Sjogren’s Syndrome support system that is expressed through a conference or seminar.

Every April in San Francisco, California, the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation holds a SSF National Patient Conference called “Empower Yourself” in which both Sjogren’s Syndrome patients and their families are welcome. Last year, the conference was a success. This past April, it was equally successful, but more populated than last year. As the years go by, word about the conference spreads. As a Sjogren’s Syndrome informant, it is my job to keep you updated on awesome events such as this one.

The aim of the conference is to educate Sjogren’s victims and their families about the illness and how it affects your body. The amount of new information about the disease is overwhelming, and many may be confused or intimidated by the various affects. “Experienced” patients, healthcare professionals, and other experts all speak at the conference so that the audience gets a taste of the illness from every angle, and all are speakers are available for private questions and concerns. What better way to take control of your health than to learn from the best minds?

The two-day-event includes dozens of doctors from every field in which Sjogren’s Syndrome affects, from eye-care provders to rheumatologists, and from dentists to autoimmune specialists and researchers. The presentation explores an illness overview, the neuropathy of Sjogren’s, CNS Disease, “A Patient’s Perspective in Survival”, lung complications, the doctor/patient relationship, dry mouth and eye issues, nutrition and diet, and heart disease/autoimmune disease relations (and probably a discussion about the difference between Primary and Secondary Sjogren’s).

I have not been to this conference yet, but it seems like a great event to be part of! The price per SSF member and their families is $165, and the price for non-members is $190 (the high expense goes to thanking the specialists for their time and towards research and the foundation!) For more information about next year’s events, (and other events to go to), contact 800-475-6473.