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PAGE 14 Thursday, March 17, 2011 EAST THE POST-STANDARD / NEIGHBORS

Creating a Safe Place

Linda Dubansky will work as a facilitator at workshop on eating disorders
Coming up. . .
What: Family and Friends
Support Group.
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Fridays,
this week through -May 6.
Where: Ophelia’s Place, 407
Tulip St., Liverpool.

LINDA DUBANSKY
is a nurse at Mott
Road Elementary
School in Fayette-
ville.
Gary Walts / The Post-Standard

By Lorenzo Arguello Each session will begin with a short you are. I’ve been there, too, and we’re through the same issues is helpful, Du-
Contributing writer video discussing societal issues related doing better now,’ ’’ Dubansky said. bansky said.
After being part of a support group to eating disorders and conclude with ‘‘You can’t keep giving apples away
Ophelia’s Place, at 407 Tulip St.,
for the past year, Linda Dubansky is an informal discussion about what the and emptying your basket without hav-
opened its doors in 2003.
taking on a bigger role at Ophelia’s group members are going through. ing someone to fill your basket back
Its founder, Mary Ellen Clausen, up,’’ she said.
Place, the Liverpool not-for-profit sup- Dubansky’s role will be to get the came up with the idea after her two
porting those affected by eating disor- conversation going, she said. Dubans- daughters suffered from eating disor- They will see how the group feels
ders. ky, a nurse at Mott Road Elementary ders. after the eight weeks, but the hope is to
School in Fayetteville, has been in- have such sessions three times a year,
Dubansky will be a facilitator in an volved with pediatric and adolescent Ophelia’s does not involve dealing Dubansky said.
eight-week series beginning Friday. medicine for many years. with professionals; instead, family and The ultimate goal is to create a safe
friends are able to come together and community where people can come
She will lead a workshop for family She saw what eating disorders can have a ‘‘more open’’ discussion with
and friends of those suffering from eat- do to families after two of her close and talk, she said.
each other, Dubansky said.
ing disorders. relatives went through such struggles. ‘‘What happens at Ophelia’s Place
She hopes her experience can help oth- Supporting loved ones going stays at Ophelia’s Place,’’ Dubansky
The group will consist of six to 10 through this ordeal can be a big strug- said.
ers, she said.
individuals meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. gle and sometimes simply being able Contact Lorenzo Arguello at
every Friday during those eight weeks. ‘‘I can say to them, ‘I know where to talk to someone who’s going larguello@syracuse.com or 470-2259.

‘‘I can say to them, ‘I know where you are. I’ve been there, too, and we’re doing better now.’ ’’
Linda Dubansky