Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/700431
12 July 7 • 2016 metro » continued from page 10 Kohn, who still works part-time as a therapist, started having problems when she was in her 20s. She's still angry recalling how her doctor sug- gested she might be having an anxiety attack. Her MS wasn't diagnosed until she was 40 and had a major flare-up. SHARING IT ALL The women call their group It's a Blessing. One of their former mem- bers, who succumbed to cancer several years ago, said whenever she'd com- plain about her health, her mother-in- law would say "It's a blessing," meaning things could be worse. Diane Traurig, a former preschool teacher, says she thinks of the group members as snowflakes: Every mem- ber is unique, but they have so much in common. Snowflakes, mused Rabinovitz, "could be another name for our group!" Members like to talk about not only what they've lost, but also about what they still have, including stable mar- riages. They belie statistics that show many marriages fail when one partner faces a chronic illness. They talk about their children, who have grown up coping with an ailing parent. A few times the women invited their husbands to join them for a meeting. "It was a profound experience to witness their self-created cocoon of support," said Henry Traurig. "Men don't do that; women know how to. I have a real sense of gratitude that Diane had this warm cocoon right in our neighborhood. "I'm blown away by what happens in this group. To know that Diane has this group to turn to is a godsend." Arleen Miller's death in 2015 was a crisis for the group. "The last time we were with her was so painful," Kohn said. "I said to her, 'You and I have been the pillars of this group. I don't know if we can go on without one of our pillars. "And she told me not to make her feel guilty for dying. We decided to go on because we know how important the group is to us." Rabinovitz said, "We knew there were people in the group who still needed us. How could we stop?" FREE 38-PAGE BROCHURE WRITTEN BY THE RETIREMENT EXPERTS! GET THE FACTS about active retirement living at FOX RUN in Novi. The comprehensive Fox Run brochure is packed with the crucial information you need—and the exciting details you want—about carefree senior living in Novi. Call 1-800-917-8169 or visit EricksonLiving.com to request your FREE brochure! Novi EricksonLiving.com 11495988