There are supportive MS groups throughout the state, providing people living with MS, and their friends and family, with a variety of connections. Some are purely social, others are educational self-help groups and still others are informational groups led by individuals who have experience and training in group facilitation.
Each group, like its members, has a different “personality” and focus. A call to any group's facilitator will give you a nice connection prior to attending, and a feel for what to expect once you're there. Feel free to ask lots of questions -- these facilitators are adept at helping you get what you need from the array of groups we offer.
Call 1.800.344.4867 for specific group contact information. Information on this page is updated monthly.
Monthly meetings are facilitated by a volunteer who has lived with MS or is a professional working in the field and is familiar with resources available in your community. The meetings are great opportunities for learning and sharing information, for getting advice from medical and other experts, and for being welcomed into an understanding environment. Check out the Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more about becoming a Volunteer Self-Help Group Facilitator.
Group types: Self-Help | Social | Support
“I believe in individuals banding together for a higher purpose.”
~ Hortense Canady ~
Self-help groups are facilitated by one of the members of the group, who arranges topics for discussion or presentation based on group member interests.
Self-help group facilitators have typically lived with MS for a while, and they are familiar with resources in your area. More importantly, they are interested in and good at connecting with newcomers and helping them feel comfortable. They are happy to answer questions you may have about how to help yourself adjust to living with MS, and are dedicated to making your group experience a positive one. Just phone them prior to coming to a meeting, and they’ll help get you started.
Cook County Self-Help Groups
- Arlington Heights
- Calumet City/NW Indiana
- Chicago (Mid City)
- Chicago (Northwest)
- Chicago South-Spanish Speaking Facilitator
- Chicago Southeast
- Chicago Heights
- Elk Grove Village
- Evanston
- Forest Park
- La Grange Park
- Oak Lawn*
- Orland Park*
- Orland Park Care Partners*
- Park Ridge
Northeast Illinois Region Self-Help Groups
- Algonquin/Lake in the Hills (McHenry County)
- Antioch (Lake County)
- Aurora (Kane County)*
- Aurora Care Partners (Kane County)*
- Carol Stream (DuPage County)*
- Crete (Will County)
- Downers Grove (DuPage County)
- Elgin (Kane County)
- Joliet, Evening (Will County)
- LaSalle/Peru (LaSalle County)*
- Libertyville (Lake County)
- Naperville (DuPage County)
- Ottawa (LaSalle County)
- Pontiac (Livingston County)
Northwest Illinois Region Self-Help Groups
- Freeport (De Kalb County)
- Rockford - East (Winnebago County)
- Rockford - West (Winnebago County)
- Sandwich (De Kalb County)
- Sandwich Care Partners (De Kalb County)
- Sauk Valley - Dixon (Lee County)
East Illinois Region Self-Help Groups
- Champaign/Urbana (Champaign County)*
- Danville (Vermillion County)
- Embarras Valley (Charleston/Effingham/Mattoon Area) (Cole County)
- Kankakee (Kankakee County)
- Monticello (Piatt County)
West Illinois Region Self-Help Groups
- Galesburg (Knox County)
- Princeton (Bureau County )
- Quad Cities (Rock Island County)
Central Illinois Region Self-Help Groups
- Bloomington/Normal (McLean County)
- Lincoln (Logan County)
- Peoria, Evening (Peoria County)
South Central Illinois Region Self-Help Groups
- Decatur (Macon County)
- Quincy (Adams County)
- Springfield (Sangamon County)
Our Support Groups tend to be our best resources for getting accurate information in a timely way, due to the ongoing educational supports these leaders receive.
* These groups are led by individuals living with MS who have had experience and specialized training relative to MS groups.
“The key is to keep company with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”
~ Elizabeth Willett ~
If you’re interested in finding others living with MS and talking with them in a very casual, unstructured way, you might like to visit one of our Social Groups.
Central Illinois Region Social Groups
- Pekin (Tazewell County)
Northeast Illinois Region Social Groups
- McHenry (McHenry County)
- Tri Cities (Kane County)
West Illinois Region Social Groups
- Kewanee (Henry County)
South Central Illinois Region Social Groups
- Vandalia (Monroe County)
Support Groups - Professionally led
“We never know how good we are until we are called to rise.”
~ Emily Dickenson ~
Three of our groups are led by hospital professionals. If a group of this sort appeals to you, be aware: all are currently located in the Chicago Area.
- Chicago Near North (Cook County)
- Chicago West of Downtown (Cook County)
- Harvey (Cook County)