We know you understand...But Do Others?
This letter, sent in Summer 2008, addresses the challenges of having a disease that others—including doctors—don't understand.
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July 31, 2008
Dear Friend,
I know you understand about neuropathy.
…You understand the difficulty of getting a prompt and accurate diagnosis from medical providers.
…You understand the frustration of trying treatment after treatment without getting results—and hearing doctors say there is nothing more they can do.
…You understand the challenge of adapting your life to live with numbness, pain, and limitations that you didn’t know before.
…You understand being misunderstood by people who do not grasp how bad neuropathy can be.
Yes, you understand, because you yourself—or someone you love—struggle with this disease, and you know how it can be.
I trust, too, that you understand that you are not alone. The Northern California Chapter of the Neuropathy Association (NCCNA) exists to increase awareness of neuropathy among the general public, to help doctors understand more about it, and to provide support to those who deal with it.
I’ve seen firsthand the difference this can make for people.
Just a short time ago, I was at a checkout counter and mentioned that I was about to host a few informative meetings about neuropathy. The woman asked me what neuropathy was. When I explained, she said, “I wonder if that’s what my husband has.” She described the symptoms he had, and also spoke of how he had been to various doctors, and none could tell him what was wrong. (Sound familiar?) I left her with our brochure, another informative booklet, and hope that perhaps now they could find some answers.
That’s what the NCCNA offers: hope…information…someone who cares.
It’s important work. That’s why we’ve been striving hard to improve our services. We’ve started new support groups. We’ve enhanced our newsletter. We’ve revamped and expanded our website. We’ve retooled our brochure. We’ve attended key events and partnered with other organizations to get the word out.
We long to do more. We especially want to get more information out to doctors. They have so many things to know about, and neuropathy, despite its frequency, just isn’t on their radar. We can help them be better informed about it, which will help those who have it.
But we can’t do it alone. We have a great group of volunteers who labor extensively in our groups and on our board, but things like printing brochures, mailing publications, and participating in events all take funds.
Can you help us today with a contribution that will let us continue to offer hope to those in need?
Because while you understand, so many others do not.
Thank you,
Bev Anderson
President, NCCNA