Care. Connect. Community. CARE3 - Support Group for Caregivers

Early this year Mr. Ravi from Pain and Stroke Rehab Center called to tell me about one Ms. Rama Murali who wants to start a support group for caregivers. The call made me jubiliant as it had been my great desire to have or start such a group in Chennai.

Sometimes the promise of something is greater than what it ends up offering, thankfully it wasn't the case this time. Following a good conversation on the phone, Rama and I soon met up. She was passionate and persistent about the support group. Had been working with IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Madras, to develop a communications App for caregivers and had come with the name Care. Connect. Community CARE3 (read CARE cube) for the group.

She had put in a lot of work hunting for families, spending time with them and drafting objectives of the group. When we met she was yet to have her first meeting. Now the group has had over 6 - 7 monthly meetings, a newsletter, over 100 members / families as a part of the support group.

It amuses me to think how desperate I was to have a support group merely a year ago. Somewhere when looking for families and getting them together, I lost the conviction that Rama exudes. Anytime away from my father was guilt ridden and forming such a group was highly labor and time intensive. This, and my realization that I am no compassion incarnate but mildly tolerant made withdrawing from the efforts easier.

My sister thinks CARE3 is my perfect situation where I get all the benefits with minimal effort. Thank you Rama.

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