OMG you hit the nail on the head! not only the earlier part about one whining and one that knows it all, and one who is smutty, but the fact that the folks in my group feel and act so powerless.

We spoke about getting a yoga person to come and teach yoga, but the crowd complained that if they continue to do yoga the classes cost money that isnt covered by medicaid. They want PT or OT or massages that are covered. When I mentioned fund raising you would have thought I brought up mass murder. I spoke about maybe calling some local legislators to give opinions (dont care which way) on some hot topics in our corner of the state (medical MJ) or (clean air action days making riding the local buses free) and not one wanted to even pick up the phone.

What happened to trying to help yourself? Since when is being accepted into state services an excuse to give up, sit home and eat ring dings? They dont want to hear about nutrition because they believe the foods being spoken about are not covered by food stamps. Of course food is covered! They dont want anyone taking away their diet soda or mc rib diet, cause we all know that losing weight is too hard if you are sick.

When I mentioned that losing weight and feeling better with small amounts of exercise would help many be able to cut back on their insulin I was blasted with the "dont you realize we are sick!" comments.

I guess after some reflection on why this group bothers me so much, I have seen several issues that have hit the nail squarely on the head. Its hard to help people who dont want to help themselves. I gave up on my family for many of the exact same issues, and yet here I find myself once a month sitting in the middle of a group with the same attitudes and ideas that I refused to accept from family. *sigh*

Maybe I just dont feel kinship to 99% of the folks that when they do come, only come for the handouts. They are furious if they dont have a fatty snack and a bucket of coffee at the meeting. I too have MS, but I want to get up! I want to fight! i want to work out what I can work out. I want to know about things that can make this better, even if it means some work on my part. MS is incurable, but that doesnt mean you sit down in your chair and sink with the ship, does it?

Maybe its me.