EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: 
SOLUTIONS FOR LIFE’S EVERYDAY CHALLENGES

BUILDING BRIDGES:  A DISCUSSION GROUP ABOUT LIVING (WELL) WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

UHCL faculty and staff living with a chronic illness, or caring for or about someone who is, are invited to attend a weekly meeting with others in similar circumstances. Living with a chronic or life-threatening illness like cancer, heart disease, or MS presents many challenges for both patients and their caregivers. The initial shock, fear, anxiety and, sometimes, anger may be accompanied by concerns about pain, debilitation, finances, work, relationships and death. All are faced with waiting: waiting for healing, for the results of diagnostic tests, for the return to the “normal” activities of daily living and, for some, the re-emergence of symptoms. Sharing common experiences, solutions, and support tends to help people live well despite the obstacles that life brings. 

These meetings will provide the opportunity to share one’s thoughts and feelings and be heard in an atmosphere of safety and acceptance. A participant may feel like talking in one session and only listening in the next.  Responding to each other, whether by sharing similar experiences and information or offering advice is done respectfully, with an awareness that, while we may have much in common, we also have our individual differences. The goal is to create a mutually beneficial community of people facing similar circumstances. 

The group will meet each Thursday from 12 noon to 1:00 pm. in B1235. It is facilitated by Gary Adams, PhD, who is a psychologist in UHCL’s Counseling Services. The co-facilitator is Dr. William ‘Dub’ Norwood, Assistant Professor of Psychology. Both are cancer survivors. No sign-up or commitment to weekly participation is required. Participation and discussions are confidential. Please feel free to bring your lunch. Questions and/or concerns about the group may be addressed to Gary by e-mail at adamsg@uhcl.edu or extension 2586.

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