Why Start a Group Like This?

With the advent of social media, herpes support and social groups are forming in large cities all over the country. The social networking site, Meetup.com, has the express purpose of connecting people through the things, interests and experiences that they have in common. Those of us who carry the HSV virus often feel disconnected socially or awkward in our development of relationships. Now, through the Helpful Friends Meetup group, we can form our own little community. In this way, our situation can discreetly be brought out of the shadows through a private group of those of us who share our same condition and concerns. In that way, we can help each other and socialize with each other comfortably.

There are 17 other Meetup groups like ours across the country, in cities like Raleigh, Seattle, San Diego, New York, Atlanta, Fresno, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Philadelphia and Chicago. They have memberships of 400, 600, 1000, or even 1500 members. Now, with the Helpful Friends Network, the Cincinnati/Dayton and Northern Kentucky area will be no exception. We will start out small, but gradually build as the word gets out.

Each month, we will host our "Talk It Over" exchanges at meeting rooms at local public libraries. These will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, except in the case of holiday weeks, when the meetings will then be on the second week. It gives members a chance to clear the air and discuss our experiences and any concerns we share. We can talk about how the virus affects our daily lives as well as our social lives. We also will discuss how we wish to move forward with the group and any types of social events we wish to host. 

Equally, and perhaps even more important, are the fun social events that we will be hosting. At these events, you can feel at ease knowing that the people you meet have all been through the situations and uncertainty that you have. Moreover, should you wish to date within the group, the need for that awkward "reality talk" becomes far less necessary.

So, we invite you to join and be an active participant in Helpful Friends of Southwest Ohio. Welcome aboard! Just go to Helpful Friends on Meetup.