By Dennis Carman — President & CEO, United Way of Greater Plymouth County
Too many years ago when I was a graduate student at School of Social Work at "The" Ohio State University, I remember being captivated by learning that we could prevent a host of our physical, emotional and social problems simply by having something called a "natural support network."
What is a natural support network? Well, natural supports are unpaid, reciprocal relationships that support people in their natural environments and communities. Natural supports not only serve as a safety net but also help increase people's material and social well-being. Examples of natural support networks include:
- Family members
- Close friends
- Neighbors
- Church community members
- Club or organization peers
- Co-workers
In an extensive longitudinal research project examining the impacts of natural support networks on over 7,000 people with physical and developmental disabilities from 2015-2022, Carli Friedman, Director of Research at The Council on Quality and Leadership, reported "Our findings suggest natural support networks can significantly improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in a wide range of areas, from health to rights to community integration to self-determination. As such, it is important to maximize people with disabilities' opportunities to form and connect with natural support networks, including based on their shared interests and desires… Despite these benefits, the majority of people with disabilities (59%) in our sample were not connected to natural support networks… We must ensure all people with disabilities are connected to natural support networks in order to maximize their quality of life."
Can it be that simple? Surrounding ourselves with family, friends, church members, neighbors, and the like, can help improve our health and our quality of life? A rallying cry from the Three Musketeers of "all for one and one for all!" to make our lives better?
Who knew? Well, now you do.
