Webinar of the Month

Wednesday January 27, 2010

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Social Stigma & other Social Challenges of Illness & Disability

Speaker:  Roberta M. Diddel, Ph.D.

Illness and disability result in many losses; and one of the most poignant is the loss of our social self.  For patients, care givers and other family members, social life changes: 

-  We can't do the things we used to do, so we lose the relationships associated with those activities.

-  People disappear form our lives, because they can't or aren't willing to face the difficulties with us.

-  Our experiences separate us from others, creating a sense of alienation.

-  We feel forced to "put on a good face", and don't know how to get past that feeling of inauthenticity.

-  Social situations become awkward, and sometimes we just don't know how to respond.

Dr. Diddel will cover these and other aspects of the social challenges of disabling medical conditions and discuss how to re-build a meaningful social life and social identity.

About the Speaker:

Dr. Diddel is the founder and Executive Director of Disability 101.  She is an Adjunct Instructor in the Psychology Department at Rice University and teaches courses in the Continuing Studies Department at Rice.  She is an approved trainer for the National M.S. Society and serves on the Clinical Advisory Board of the M.S. Society's Lone Star Chapter.  She was a trainer for the American Psychological Association's HIV Education program for over 10 years and has trained mental health professionals throughout the country.   Dr. Diddel is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Houston helping patients with major life transitions, loss and bereavement, chronic illness, brain injury, chronic pain and other disabling medical conditions.  She has a relaxed style, using humor and personal stories, and encouraging participants to engage actively in the learning process.

To register, click on the link below:

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/894987280