What Can Geese Teach Us About Support Group? (part 2) May 4, 2010

Last month I began a 2 part series based on my interpretation of a presentation given by Angeles Arrien, based on Milton Olson and his work with geese.  The presentation was originally given to business leaders with the intent to help them build healthier companies.  However, I immediately related Arrien’s goose analogies to building a healthier brain injury support group.  Last month’s article focused on the following goose facts:

 1.  A goose flying in formation can extend it’s range by 71% as compared with a goose flying alone.  Analogy:            Survivors and caregivers feel they are alone in their experience.  Think of your local support group as your “flock” and extend the range of your knowledge, insight, and connection to others by 71%.

 2.  When a goose falls out of formation, it immediately experiences drag and has to work much harder.  Analogy:            We are fortunate to have several consistent support group attendees who possess an uncanny ability to respond to negative statements with positive ones.  These are the survivors who help keep the “flock” moving forward and help the more negative survivors feel the drag that nudges them back in a more positive direction.

 This month I would like to focus on the last 3 goose facts.  Again…you may think you are smarter than a goose…but they do some amazing things!

 3.  When the lead goose tires, it rotates back and lets another take it’s place.

It is important to remember that one’s ability to get the most out of support group…or any challenge in life…is to figure out that delicate balance of give and take.  We use the term “sharing and caring” to help illustrate that balance.  As a facilitator, part of my job is to help you find that balance…to make sure everyone who wishes to do so, gets a chance to share.  If you are one of those survivors who talks a lot during support group, that is fine…but it is also important to give others a chance to talk.  You never know what you might learn!

 4.  The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Again…communication and attitude are at the core of this analogy.  Keep comments positive and forward-focused.  Encourage those around you.  Share your experiences in a way that illustrates how you’ve overcome obstacles, developed strategies, and bettered your life.  These are the keys to making support group a worthwhile experience for all.

 5.  When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it.  They stay until it dies or can fly again.

Connections are at the heart of any support group.  While making a connection with the facilitator is important, it is even more important for the facilitator to foster connections among support group members.  An ideal support group seeks to facilitate bonds within the support group audience. Survivor to survivor connections, caregiver to caregiver connections, and professional to caregiver/survivor connections are the best way to foster personal growth and understanding of the “big picture” of brain injury. 

 Thanks for listening.  I hope to see you on Sunday, the 16^th of May for burgers, hot dogs, and a compelling movie that details the amazing story of a New York guitarist who suffers a severe stroke on stage.  The story is nothing short of a miracle (I’d wager that if you are a survivor and you are reading this article…you are a miracle as well).  Come and experience what CASG has to offer.