Drop-in Support Group
Updated: March 11, 2009
In January 2009 Alpha-1 Canada launched a new Tele-presence 
Drop-in Support Group. Any member of our community can call in using a toll free number and be part of the meeting.
One of the callers to the first meeting said, "I thought that it went very well and I appreciate all the hard work that went into it to make it happen. I look forward to the next one."
These drop-in meetings will be one hour long and usually take place on the 4th Thursday of each month. Please note that we’ve tweaked the meeting times a little to accommodate those in different time zones.
| 5:30 pm Pacific Time |
8:30 pm Eastern Time |
| 6:30 pm Mountain Time |
9:30 pm Atlantic Time |
| 7:30 pm Central Time |
10:00 pm Newfoundland Time |
In order to participate all you need is a telephone and the toll-free number to call. The toll-free number changed recently, so if you kept the old one it won't work anymore. Please contact Jim Mundy for the phone number. He can be reached at 1-888-669-4583 or by e-mail at jim.mundy@alpha1canada.ca .
The next meeting is Thursday November 26, 2009 (see below). The schedule for upcoming meetings and links to recordings of past meetings are as follows:
| DATE |
DETAILS |
| Thursday March 25, 2010 |
“How do I get the best treatment for my Alpha-1?”
Our next Drop-in Support Group Meeting will feature Dr. Kenneth Chapman. Dr. Chapman will speak for about 30 minutes on “How do I get the best treatment for my Alpha-1?” (lung-involved) then answer your questions for another 30 minutes.
In order to participate all you need is a telephone and the toll-free number to call (see above).
Dr. Chapman is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto and an internationally respected researcher in the field of asthma and airway diseases including Alpha-1. Dr. Chapman is also Director of the Canadian Registry for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and the chair of the Alpha-1 Canada Medical Advisory Board. |
| January 21, 2010 |
Stephen Brennan, M.S.W., R.S.W. of Brennan Associates
Stephen has maintained a full time private practice in social work for the past 29 years. His practice includes family, marital, and individual counseling, working with adults and children of all ages.
For 27 years, part of his practice has also been to provide social work services to The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County. In that role, he has worked with patients and family members around all areas of adjustment relating to being diagnosed with a life threatening illness, both chronic and terminal. One of the key elements that Stephen speaks about is the importance of the person with the diagnosis to be continually empowered in their patient role as they move along the illness pathway. Listen to the Podcast here. |
| November 26, 2009 |
Dr. Denis Marier, MA, ND a doctor of naturopathic medicine returns to discuss Homeopathy and Influenza. Read more about Dr. Marier below. Listen to the Podcast of his last presentation here. |
| May 21, 2009 |
Dr. Simon Ling who will speak about Alpha-1 liver disease in infants and children. Read more about Dr. Ling below. Listen to the Podcast here. |
| April 29, 2009 |
Dr. Denis Marier, MA, ND a doctor of naturopathic medicine. read more about Dr. Marier below. Listen to the Podcast here. |
 About Dr. Marier
Dr. Marier is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and is a registered Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine with a practice focus in mind-body medicine, stress reduction, and naturopathic oncology. He has completed training in Mind/Body Medicine and Positive Psychology at Harvard University Medical School’s Institute of Mind/Body Medicine.
Dr. Marier has also participated in naturopathic medical relief work following the Gujarat, India earthquake in January, 2001, and participated in the Nomad’s Clinic in rural Tibet in October 2004. He also volunteered in Sri Lanka following the devastating tsunami of December 26, 2004 and has volunteered in South Africa working with women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in 2006. He has also volunteered in Calcutta at Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying Destitute and has an interest in naturopathic palliative care.
Recently, Dr. Marier completed a master’s degree in Ecopsychology through Naropa University, bringing nature-based therapies and ecological considerations into his practice. Dr. Marier is committed to educating and empowering individuals on their wellness journey with the tools to reduce stress and enhance the body’s natural healing ability through individualized treatment. His compassion, humour and dedication inspire all those he works with.
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About Dr. Ling
 Dr. Ling has been Assistant Professor of Paediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto since 2003. He works in close cooperation with the liver transplant team at Sick Kids and is a member of the Alpha-1 Canada Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Ling is a Consultant in Paediatric Gastroenterology at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland.
Additionally, Dr. Ling collaborates in studies of the genetic determinants of liver disease due to cystic fibrosis and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Dr. Ling's complete bio can be viewed here. |