This Friday we introduce you to Jonni Sutton, our Mid Missouri Support Group Leader. You can meet her at the next Mid Missouri Support Group, February 16, 2023 at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia.
What's your name? Jonni Sutton
How long have you been involved with the MGA Mid Missouri Support Group?
Since the Columbia/Mid-Missouri support group started in April of 2011.
What is the best part of being involved in the support group?
MG can be very isolating and having something that is rare and impacts your life in so many ways can be a lonely path. I struggled for years wondering what would happen to me. To be able to meet and talk to someone with a similar path meant a lot to me because I felt supported and not so lost. The MG community is a dynamic group of people who have found ways to overcome their challenges and live full lives.
Do you have any dreams or wishes for the group?
My hope for the group is that we can be empowered as individuals to be our own best advocates. That we gain knowledge and tools that help us along the way, but
most importantly, that we know we aren’t alone.
What is your best piece of advice for new patients or even patients in general?
Try to be aware of what you say to yourself and strive to have as much compassion and patience with you as you would for someone you love. MG is more like a marathon, as opposed to a race and it’s normal to want to “just get over it”. Your best will look different at times and that is ok. Accomplishing tasks is great, but with mg, sometimes the most important task is figuring out what your body needs and addressing it (like needing rest).
Why do you think support groups are important for patients?
We are able to connect, support one another, and learn together. I think it’s great for our mental health to feel understood and gain insight from people who have been through similar situations. There are so many exciting things happening in the mg community that address so many issues that haven’t been considered before, but research is also being done to find answers to questions that haven’t been asked before.
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