Chronic Illness Community Meet & Greet

A chance for chronically ill people to meet and connect with other Asheville spoonies! This will be super simple, just an opportunity to get to know one another, hang out, and brainstorm other types of events and meetups you'd like to see from this group. Also would like to hear any other accessible spaces you know of for us to meet!

Feel free to show up in your pajamas, bring dietary-restriction-friendly snacks for yourself or others, or bring your favorite board game!

Absolutely no expectation of purchasing or drinking alcohol -- I am hosting this at a brewery solely because it is a relatively accessible public place with covered outdoor space, so we can maintain a standard of covid safety no matter what the weather looks like. There are also some little yard games at Wedge if the weather is nice!

As we will be outdoors, wearing masks is not required, but please bring one in case someone would like to attend who is immunocompromised and would feel safer with everyone masked up. I'll bring extras just in case!

I'll have some kind of small sign so we can find each other, and will select a covered outdoor table.

Rules and policies:
-Ages 20(ish) to (40ish)
-No hate or discriminatory speech allowed
-Other group members’ information must be kept confidential (diagnoses, other personal details)
-This is not a dating site / group. No inappropriate comments, unwanted communication, attempted hookups
-Anything perceived as inappropriate can be brought to an organizer’s attention
-This is not therapy or replacement for professional therapy; we are not professionals
-Any medical information shared during discussion should be verified with your medical provider. We are not medical professionals, nor is anything here medical advice.
-Abuse of member list is grounds for expulsion (no advertising or sales)
-We speak from our own experience, what's worked for us, what we have done, etc. Please do not give forceful or unwanted advice.
-We respect all types of medical treatments and a person’s decision to do so
-Please respect others by not attending MeetUps while sick
-If you are intentionally rude to an organizer or member (name calling, etc.) you will be removed
-Actively participating members that “age out” of the group can stay in if desired
-We reserve the right to remove any member for any reason if problems arise

Disclaimer: Information in this group is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. In signing up for these events, participants accept sole responsibility for their well-being and will not hold the organizer or any member of this community liable in any way. These events are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

By signing up for these events you understand and assume all inherent risks related to the activity and agree to relieve the event host of all responsibilities and liabilities to the fullest extent allowed by law including but not limited to adverse weather conditions, potential for falls, and incidents that may occur traveling to and from the walking Meetup. By signing up you also agree to do all the research and preparation for what is needed for this Meetup.

CFS, Lyme, Mold, CIRS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, MECFS, Autoimmune Disease, Mast Cell Disorders, MCAS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, MCS, Multiple Sclerosis, CIDP, Chronic Headache, Migraine, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Back Pain, Chronic Pain, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, EDS, RA, JRA, TBI, PCOS, Endometriosis, Interstitial cystitis, POTS, Dysautonomia, Cancer, Hashimoto's, Graves', Lupus, Celiac Disease, Crohn's Disease, Colitis, IBS, IBD, Depression, Anxiety, Disabled from unknown illness, Genetic Disorders, Environmentally Acquired Illness, and any other related syndromes and illnesses.