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Speaker For Local Support Group.


coeliacinfostand

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coeliacinfostand Newbie

This is one way I have obtained speakers for our local support group.

1. I make up a folder of recent articles on coeliac disease, that I have downloaded from medical journals, celiac.com, www.coeliacresearch.com, coeliac magazines etc.

2. I walk into a local medical centre in June, July, or August, and say I am looking for a speaker for the February meeting of the local coeliac support group. I insist on seeing a doctor (GP). Eventually one will come out and usually say "I don't know anything about celiac disease!"

I say "Good you are just the person we are looking for. You have six months to prepare, I can give you a lot of information. Can I leave this folder for you? I will call back in a week after you have had a look at it."

A week later they have always been keen to do the talk.

Over the next few months, whenever I see a new article or medical paper on the subject I drop it in to them.

They have been wonderful speakers. One gave a case history of his first diagnosis, which happened after I had first spoken to him. Another said that she had only ever looked for coeliac disease after all other possibilities had been exhausted. Now it is the first thing she considers.

Doctors usually only take their education from medical professionals, but this is one way lay people can force them into gaining knowledge. Each doctor you can convince means a steady stream of newly diagnosed coeliacs in your area, which in turn increases the demand for gluten free foods, which hopefully increases the range of foods available.

I have done this three times over the last three years, and am currently planning my attack on another medical centre.


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angel-jd1 Community Regular

That is a great idea!!

-Jessica :rolleyes:

Guest Viola

Wow! You are inspiring! Good for you. It's certainly something to keep in mind. We don't have a group here, but there is no reason that all of us can't drop information off in the medical clinics. :D

Canadian Karen Community Regular

Now that's spunk!!!!! :lol:

I like it!!!! ;)

Keep up the good work! :D

Karen

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