Self-Help Groups
Learn more about Self-Help Groups in our Chapter.
Social Groups
20s & 30s Social Group
Are you in your 20s or 30s and dealing with MS? You are not alone! Connect with others in the Kansas City area who can understand the unique challenges of being young and living with this disease. Join this group. Email: midamericachapter@nmss.org or call 1-800-344-4867.
Generation Optimistic
Connect with other young people in the Nebraska area who are in their 20s & 30s and living with MS. Share your ideas and join this group. Email: midamericachapter@nmss.org or call 1-800-344-4867.
Mommies and Daddies with MS
This family-focused group is for parents with MS who have children ages birth to 12 years old. Monthly or bi-monthly gatherings are planned for the whole family. This group is designed to help children can see they are not alone in their experience with MS. Activities take place throughout the Kansas City metro. If you'd like more information, please contact Judy Oberheu at 1-800-344-4867 or midamericachapter@nmss.org.
Online Communities
MS World
MSWorld®, Inc. provides a global virtual community of support to people living with multiple sclerosis. The site’s sole mission is to create a safe, informative, useful, and fun place for people to meet, share ideas and gain useful resources to help manage and cope. MSWorld® is the official chat room and message board site for the National MS Society. Go to www.msworld.org.
Caregivers
CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a free one-stop shop that connects and updates communities of supporters on a person’s ongoing health status, treatment, surgeries, progress in therapies and recovery. A personalized CaringBridge website helps keep loved ones informed during difficult times. In return, family and friends give support through guestbook messages.
Lotsa Helping Hands
Lotsa Helping Hands is a free web-based service that allows the community circle of a person with MS to more easily assist with household tasks that can become a burden during times of medical crisis. It’s an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meals delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during times of medical crisis, or family caregiver exhaustion. It’s also a place to keep these ‘circles of community’ informed with status updates, photo galleries, message boards, and more.
Veterans with MS
National Caregivers Support Line
The Department of Veteran Affairs hosts a National Caregivers Support Line, a telephone-based information line for family members and loved ones who provide care for Veterans who are living with the effects of war, disability, chronic illness or aging. Licensed clinical social workers are available to answer questions and link callers to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at their local VA Medical Center. The support line is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information call 1-855-260-3274 or visit www.caregiver.va.gov.
Support Conference Call
The Department of Veteran Affairs also hosts a monthly support and education conference call for caregivers of Veterans with MS, where caregivers can connect and share their experiences. The group meets the fourth Monday of every month from 7-8 p.m. The call-in number is 1-800-767-1750, access code 43157#. For more information contact the group’s facilitator, Maggie Kazmierski, at 1-800-464-6295, ext. 6095 or email Margaret.Kazmierski@va.gov.