Updated Support Group Schedule Starting in June

At Not Defined By FND, we are always working to make our programs more accessible, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of our community. Based on feedback from our annual support group scheduling survey and ongoing accessibility considerations, we are updating the schedule for our FND Empowerment Circle support groups beginning in June.

These updates are designed to better support participants across time zones, improve consistency, and ensure our sessions remain sustainable for facilitators while maintaining a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone involved.

📅 New FND Empowerment Circle Schedule

(Starting June)

Beginning in June, the FND Empowerment Circle will continue to meet twice monthly with an updated schedule:

• First Wednesday of each month – 11:00 AM EST (Morning Session)

• Last Saturday of each month – 5:30 PM EST (Evening Session)

This structure creates a consistent rhythm while offering both weekday and weekend options to accommodate different schedules and accessibility needs.

All updated dates and times will continue to be posted on our website as usual.

💡 Why We Made This Change

This update reflects both community feedback and practical accessibility improvements, including:

• Community preference alignment: Survey responses showed strongest interest in midweek (Wednesday/Friday) availability

• Improved accessibility across time zones: Mid-morning and early evening ET times help accommodate participants across the US and internationally

• Sustainable facilitation: Adjusting the weekend session to an earlier evening time helps reduce late-night strain while maintaining engagement

• Consistent structure: Moving to a predictable “first Wednesday / last Saturday” model makes it easier to plan ahead and participate regularly

Our goal is to ensure that the FND Empowerment Circle remains a space that is both reliable and inclusive for everyone who participates.

🌿 About the FND Empowerment Circle

The FND Empowerment Circle is a peer support space designed for individuals impacted by Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and the people that support them. These sessions provide a supportive environment to connect, share experiences, and build community in a way that centers understanding, accessibility, and empowerment.

Whether you attend in the morning or evening session, each group offers a welcoming space to be heard and supported. With one morning and one evening session offered each month, participants can choose the time that best fits their schedule and energy needs.

Learn more about the FND Empowerment Circle support groups here. We look forward to continuing the FND Empowerment Circle with you each month!

📌 What Stays the Same

While the schedule is updating, our core values remain unchanged:

• Sessions remain free and accessible

• Meetings continue to be hosted virtually via Zoom

• All support groups remain peer-centered and community-focused

• Registration and scheduling information will continue to be available on our website

💙 Looking Ahead

We are grateful for the feedback that helps guide these decisions. Even when response numbers are small, every piece of input helps us better understand how to serve our community.

We will continue to keep the FND Empowerment Circle schedule under review and welcome ongoing feedback at any time.

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping us grow it with intention and care.