Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Online Support Groups

Join a supportive and informative online community for individuals dealing with thyroid eye disease. TED Online Support Groups provide a safe space for you to participate in a conversation about what you and others are going through as each navigates the TED journey. These one hour, peer-facilitated, and topic driven online groups use Zoom to connect our global community. You can choose to have your camera off or on. Come as you are. And wear sunglasses if that works best for you. You can simply listen in or share according to your comfort level.

To attend a TED Online Support Group, please fill out the form below to be added to our email list. We will keep you informed about future meet ups.

Because we are a community and not medical professionals, it is important to follow the guidelines of TED Online Support Groups as outlined below – click the plus sign.

The above TED eyes drawing is by Roseanne and is part of the INSIDE OUT TED ART project. 

Discussion Guidelines

Stay Positive and Supportive:
Share positive experiences, coping mechanisms, and success stories. Focus on providing constructive support.

Empathy and Respect:
Everyone’s experience with TED is unique, and it’s essential to be supportive and understanding.

Avoid Medical Advice:
The group is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Members should consult their healthcare providers for personalized guidance.

Share Personal Experiences:
Share your personal experiences with TED, including symptoms, treatments, and coping strategies. This helps foster a sense of community and understanding.

Share reliable and up-to-date educational resources about TED:
This can include articles, videos, and reputable websites to empower members with accurate information.

Respect Privacy:
Please respect each other’s privacy. Personal health information should not be shared without consent.

TED Online Peer Support – Join the Conversation

Wednesday, December 17 @ 4pm PT /  5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET
Monday, December 22 @ Noon PT / 1pm MT / 2pm CT / 3pm ET

ted builders workshop for thyroid eye disease

Please join us for a TED Community Peer Support Meet Up – a heartfelt, uplifting, and solution-oriented conversation about living with thyroid eye disease, TED.

Below are the topics for the December one-hour meeting that will take place on Zoom. (International participants welcomed!)

You can be on or off camera. This is a safe space so make yourself comfortable! 

Scroll down and use the red button to access the ZOOM log in credentials.

Have a topic you want to discuss? Let us know: hello@tedcommunity.org

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Session Description:

Global TED Support Group, a topic-driven conversation dedicated to the most urgent and timely topics affecting all who have thyroid eye disease. We have scheduled one hour for the TED Support Group and will extend that if needed.

Talking Points:

  • (Chat Topic) What do you see as your greatest challenge related to TED?
  • Navigating the holiday season with TED. Let’s talk about dealing with the stress we can put on ourselves, holiday pictures, family issues, or social isolation might call for some extra self care or different strategies from what we use on a daily basis. 
  • What sets TED off in the first place? And what causes it to flare after a period of stability? These questions remain unanswered for some of us. For others there are clear indicators. We can learn from each other’s experience and from our medical team at CONNECTED 2025. 
  • NEW YEAR! What can you do to better care for yourself in 2026? Let’s make it all about Quality of Life!!

Facilitators:

Cynthia Baltazar
Diagnosed in 2021, Cynthia Baltazar, was left feeling hopeless and lost. Through self-reflection and research, she thrived by becoming her own health advocate. The TED Organization gave her additional knowledge, strength, and, meaningful connections with others walking the same path. Perseverance and determination are her greatest assets, which carried her through flare-ups and the darkest of times. Cynthia believes, “Together, we can fight to find our way to NED, and remind each other that we are stronger when we rise as one.”

Christine Gustafson
Christine Gustafson is the Founder, CEO, and Executive Director of the TED Community Organization, a global nonprofit dedicated to supporting those living with thyroid eye disease (TED). An “accidental leader,” Christine stepped into advocacy by simply trying to help fellow patients navigate the isolating and often overwhelming TED journey. Today, she leads an organization that is uniting patients, physicians, advocacy groups, and industry partners worldwide to foster education, support, and connection.

Susan Roberts, Pharm.D.
Dr. Roberts is a pharmacist living in Maine. She has worked in community pharmacy in Oklahoma and Maine, and worked during the pandemic administering vaccines to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Diagnosed with TED in 2018, she struggled with symptoms and the search to find high quality disease information. The TED Community has filled that gap. She is delighted to help other patients along their journeys through monthly support groups and/or individual meetings.

To participate in TED Online Support Groups, please fill out the form below and submit.

Please let us know what you would like to gain by attending TED Online Support Groups.
This program is made possible by the extensive work done by TED patients: Cynthia B. and Susan R.