MS Connection Groups or self-help groups bring people together who share common life experiences for support, education and mutual aid. Benefits of participating in a connection group include:

• Learning new information and strategies for confronting problems.
• Finding support from others.
• The opportunity to help others.
• Feeling empowered and more self-confident in coping with challenges.

The Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter of the National MS Society MS Connection Groups focus on support, advocacy, education, and are social in nature. Some groups also serve specific populations, such as young adults, parents with MS, carepartners, or African-Americans.

Members of an MS Connection Groups share a belief that positive personal change happens through individual efforts with the support of others.