The Houston Neuropathy Support Group was formed in July of 1998. The first meeting was held at The Pain Care Center in Houston. The Houston Neuropathy Support Group has grown from the 12 attendees at the July 1998 meeting to close to 300 members in 2002.

Each support group is associated with the Neuropathy Association located in New York City (1 800 247-6968). The Neuropathy Association disseminates information on peripheral neuropathy, awards research grants, attends medical conferences and in 2002 began financing neuropathy clinics in different locations nationwide. Members are encouraged to join the Neuropathy Association.

Our original medical adviser of our local support group is Dr. Yadollah Harati from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Mazen Dimachkie from the University of Texas Health Science Center also serves as a medical adviser for our support group.

Betty Kunze and Paula Walker co-founded the Houston Neuropathy Support Group. Betty Kunze was the group leader until November 2000. She remained an active member until her death at the end of November 2002. Ann Green became Program Chairman and began arranging for speakers in July 2000. Prior to July 2000, Betty Kunze arranged for programs on pain management, massage therapy, medical management of a neuropathy, acupuncture and oriental medicine, Nikken Magnetic Products, a demonstration on Body Recall and an aroma therapist. Throughout late 2000 and all of 2001, medical speakers have made presentations to our support group members. Starting in 2002, both medical speakers and alternative treatment specialists have made presentations to our members on topics of medications, diabetes and neuropathy, neuropathy research efforts, balance therapy and psychological aspects of having a disability.

Member volunteers have assisted in our support group by working as greeters at the meetings (Anne Jarboe, Eleanor Verrington, Melvin Janak), coordinating our telephone and e-mail reminders for members (Becky Brignac, Helen Nowlin, John Longo) , carrying supplies to and from meetings (Jim Nowlin, Chuck Verostko), publicity of our meetings (Anne Jarboe, Virginia McKallip, Ann Green), developing a web site (Winston Hamby), coordinating meeting refreshments (Liz Wahnon, Barbara Herbert, Barbara Sklar, Eleanor Robinson, Ed Pruszynski), maintaining our membership lists (Becky Brignac, John Longo), ordering Senneff books for members (Tony Schmitt), developing a mailout for members unable to attend meetings ( Betty Kunze, Ann Green, John Longo and Anne Jarboe) and copying information for members (Charlie Brannon through Textron, Inc. and Joe Green).

Betty Kunze and Eleanor Verrington set up a booth on our support group at the MD Anderson Cancer Patient Conference for two days in September, 2000. Also in October, 2000, a neuropathy exhibit table was manned at the Health Fair at the Pech Road Community Center.

By May 2003, our membership has grown to 425 members in the Houston Neuropathy Support Group. We continue to grow in membership after each meeting. Dr. Harati and Dr. Dimachkie are working to expand our Board of Directors. Our publicity leader, Anne Jarboe, has been developing a Houston Neuropathy Support Group brochure. A committee appointed by group leader, Ann Green, has begun working on incorporation to become a national affiliate to the Neuropathy Association and a nonprofit organization hopefully before the end of 2003.

	Betty Kunze, co-founder of the Houston Neuropathy Support Group in July, 1998. Deceased November 29, 2002.

	Ann Green, group leader of the Houston Neuropathy Support Group as of December, 2000.

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