Join our Discord to Connect with the SRNA Community!

Earlier this month, we announced the creation of the Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association Support & Connect Discord server.  

We noticed that it could be difficult for members of our community to connect with one another. Although social media can be great, we felt that an SRNA Discord could allow people to chat with one another directly, which can be a step up from indirectly communicating via social media comments. 

We invite you to join this server as an easy way to directly engage with others impacted by rare neuroimmune disorders. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about Discord: 

What is Discord? 

Discord is a voice, video, and text chat app that allows people to talk directly with one another through different channels. In text channels, members can post messages, upload files, and share images for others to see at any time. In voice channels, members can connect through a voice or video call in real time. Our intention for this space is to create a supportive and comfortable environment for anyone to be able to receive and give support, share helpful resources, and gather for community events! 

What topics and discussions take place in the Support & Connect Discord? 

So far, there are several channels available for different topics, but we are looking to expand more as suggestions come in! Currently, there is a support channel where community members can directly talk to one another and can share about difficult circumstances in their lives. A community member can share in the channel that they are in the hospital receiving treatment that day and others can leave supportive messages. There is a resources channel, where anyone can share resources that are helpful to those with rare neuroimmune disorders. There are also disorder-specific channels, and channels for people with rare neuroimmune disorders and their loved ones, respectively. If anyone would like to bring something up only to those with their same disorder these channels help keep things direct! 

What community events do you have planned that will utilize Discord? 

Our first event will be a weekly series of a creative writing course. Once a week anyone can visit the server and join the Creative Writing voice chat and learn about creative writing, then explore for themselves the experience of writing. These sessions would allow anyone to hop in at any point—so if a person can’t make it one week, they won’t ever fall behind. Each week we’ll cover something new and try a different technique of creative writing. Our start date for this community event will be May of 2025! 

Another event we’re excited to announce is a monthly book club—each month, we will share the title of a book, and then once a month we plan to meet to discuss the book we read. These books will most often be about rare neuroimmune disorders or living life with a disability. Our first title will be The Patient Experience with Transverse Myelitis: An Anthropological Perspective by Dr. Sandy Siegel, president of SRNA. 

I’m in the Discord. Now what? 

Whenever you join the Discord, you’ll see the Getting Started guide, which will ask you to look over some community rules and start a help ticket. Once the ticket is made and you supply your name and email, we will be able to verify you as a member of SRNA. Within three days, you will have full access to the Discord community. 

We hope that this server can help create social connections across the community and ensure that no one feels alone. We hope to see you there! 

Join the SRNA Support & Connect Discord here!