Relationship Matters: A Program for Couples Living with MS
Teleconference Series – January to April 2010
Having a healthy relationship is hard work even in the best of times. MS can make it even harder. The Relationship Matters program exists to help couples minimize the impact of MS on their lives. We are offering two teleconference series, hosted by our National Programs & Services Department. Each series is offered twice and is a six-week commitment. The times are varied so that couples in all time zones can participate. Participation is FREE, and participants receive a $50 gift check upon completion!
8 Hours To A Lifetime Of Relationship Satisfaction
This series focuses on healthy communication and how to successfully resolve conflict. Role plays, vignettes and break out calls are used to foster group discussion about the skills learned. Five different facilitators from around the country will present the curriculum, so the speaker is always fresh and can continually offer a different perspective on the material. Speaker biographies are coming in January. For more information on content, please click here.
Jumpstart Your Relationship
This series is a collaborative effort with Can Do Multiple Sclerosis (formerly The Heuga Center). Weekly topics will focus on symptoms of MS, the emotional responses they can trigger and ways a couple can communicate about them. This series will also incorporate the Heuga philosophy on wellness. It will be presented primarily by LuAnn Pierce from the National MS Society and Pat Kennedy from Can Do Multiple Sclerosis.
8 Hours To A Lifetime Of Relationship Satisfaction
- Six week series: Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9
- Facilitator: TBA
- Register by: Tuesday, Dec. 15
- Calls will be held on Tuesdays from 9 – 10:30 p.m.
Jumpstart Your Relationship
- Six week series: Jan. 7, Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11
- Facilitator: LuAnn Pierce & Pat Kennedy
- Register by: Tuesday, Dec. 15
- Calls are held on Thursdays from 8 – 9:30 p.m.
8 Hours To A Lifetime Of Relationship Satisfaction
- Six week series: Feb. 25, Mar. 4, Mar. 11, Mar. 18, Mar. 25 and April 1
- Facilitator: TBA
- Register by: Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
- Calls are held on Thursdays from 10 – 11:30 p.m.
Jumpstart Your Relationship
- Six week series: Feb. 23, Mar. 2, Mar. 9, Mar. 16, Mar. 23 and Mar. 30
- Facilitator: LuAnn Pierce & Pat Kennedy
- Register by: Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
- Calls are held on Tuesdays from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Pre-registration is required for each series so that small groups can be formed. The small groups will remain together for the duration of the six week teleconference series. This allows participants to become better acquainted and develop more trust, which leads to a deeper level of sharing and growth. The group format also ensures that participants receive a good foundation for their learning, and that new skills build upon others learned previously.
At the Society, our objective is to offer the best opportunity for you to learn, including from others who live with MS. We have come to believe this is more likely to happen in a closed group where participants work together over time, learning and sharing with each other. An added bonus to this model is the facilitators have an opportunity to get better acquainted with group participants. We hope this will lead to increased participation between sessions and/or after the series for those who need additional assistance.
Criteria For Participation:
- Couples who are able to commit to participating in teleconferences every week for six weeks.
- Couples who will agree to complete pre- and post-assessments and offer feedback about the series.
- Couples who are not currently experiencing adultery, domestic violence or separation.
Incentives For Couples Who Complete All Six Sessions:
- $50 gift check upon completion of the series
- A follow up call to discuss the results of their assessments
- A copy of the book Multiple Sclerosis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier by Shelley Peterman Schwarz
- Participant Handbook
Funding for this project was provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant: 90FE0090.
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