Spoonie Program

Terms to Know:

Spoonie: Someone with chronic pain/illness, joining the advocate program to get partnered with an supporter to get guidance in navigating all things chronic and medical.

Supporter: a highly trained intern or volunteer who partners with a Spoonie to help them navigate through the world of chronic pain/illness

What is the Spoonie Program?

We partner an Supporter with a Spoonie for one-on-one support via meetings through zoom to support the Spoonie in all things chronic and medical. A lot of people with chronic pain/illness get thrown into the medical and chronic world suddenly and unexpectedly. Now they have to learn to navigate doctors, learn to advocate for themselves, medication, their health, health insurance and everything in-between while feeling awful. We are here to help!

Whether you are a new Spoonie or a veteran at you chronic condition or disability we are here to support you and help you advocate for yourself and navigate the complicated and ever changing world of chronic conditions and medicine.

Examples of Support Given:

• Weekly (or how often is convenient for the Spoonie and Supporter) meetings via zoom

• Goal brainstorming for appointments

• Help organizing medications and other medical devices

• Help organize and navigate all things chronic pain/illness

• Help preparing for doctor appointments (making goals, preparing questions, role playing to gain confidence ect.)

• Discussing how to find and manage support

• Learning to own your chronic pain/illness pain story

• Learning and practicing how to advocate for yourself in appointments and in life

• Help talking through decisions

• Help managing the chaos and schedule of being chronically ill or dealing with chronic pain