Traveling Turkeys
November is National Caregivers Month! The Traveling Turkeys program provides turkey dinners for people with MS and their families and/or caregivers (meal provides for 4 people) all across Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri. These meals will be delivered to participant’s homes by volunteers. The date for the drop offs and deliveries is Tuesday, November 24. If you are interested in signing up to volunteer or to be a recipient of this year’s program, please call 1-800-344-4867 and press 1.
Financial Assistance
The Mid America Chapter strives to address and meet the needs of individuals living with MS, in a variety of ways. One of these ways is to offer direct financial assistance. The purpose of the financial assistance program is to provide assistance (aid, support or help) to people living with MS to assist in maintaining personal health, independence and a quality of life. Funding is not guaranteed and applicants must meet program criteria to qualify for assistance. The amount of financial assistance awarded is determined by factors including but not limited to; availability of funds, approval by financial assistance committee, and prior assistance given. Exceptions to this policy may be made only with the approval of the Director of Community Programs. In order to review your request for assistance for one of these programs, please include the following items listed below. Please note the financial assistance policy and application have changed from prior years.
- Download Financial Assistance Application.
- Note from your doctor indicating your MS diagnosis
- Physician Prescription (if you are applying for durable medical equipment assistance)
- Copy of the bill or estimate you are seeking assistance for
- Completed Financial Assistance Application can be sent to our office at National MS Society, 7611 State Line Road Ste 100 Kansas City, MO 64114 or faxed to 816-343-0319.
Please contact the Care Management staff with any questions regarding covered items or services at 1-800-344-4867 press or say 2.
Care Management
Care Management is a free service provided by the National MS Society for individuals diagnosed with MS, their caregivers, and families. The service can assist in a time of need and provide skills and resources required to pursue and accomplish goals.
The Care Management Initiative is the National MS Society's answer to ensure that individuals living with MS can maintain independent lifestyles. This program can extend a person's ability to stay in their present community without the threat of relocating to a nursing home or other long term care facility. Help is available on a time-limited basis for transportation, housing, insurance issues, respite care, durable medical equipment and more. If you or someone you know is in need of care management, please call the Mid America Chapter today at 1-800-344-4867.
NMSS Scholarship
Many families struggle to cope with the financial impact of MS. The National MS Society recognized this need and in 2003 created the scholarship program to help qualified students who have been diagnosed with MS or who have a parent with MS achieve their dreams of going to college. In its first year, the program awarded 36 scholarships for a total of $68,000. In 2009, a total of $1,021,600 was awarded to 510 scholars. Three of these scholars are from the Mid America Chapter area. We believe having MS should never stand in the way of an education.
Awards are based on financial need, academic record and a personal essay. To be eligible, high school (or GED) graduates must be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time (first semester).
2010 Scholarships - Scholarship applications for 2010 awards will be accepted between October 1, 2009 and January 15, 2010. Scholars receive notice in May, 2010. For detailed guidelines and application information for the 2010 program, click here.
Eligibility for 2010
High school seniors or graduates that have MS or a parent with MS and who will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time next fall are eligible.
Applications and information can be downloaded at www.nationalmssociety.org/scholarship beginning in October 2009. Or call us at 1-800-344-4867 and press 1 to receive a copy by mail. Completed applications are due January 15, 2010.
Durable Medical Equipment
The Mid America Chapter maintains a Durable Medical Equipment Closet for people living with MS. If you have insurance, the Chapter encourages you to utilize that before requesting assistance through us. The loan for the requested equipment is indefinite; you can use the equipment as long as you need it and when finished, return it to the Durable Equipment Closet. Short term loans are also available (scooter for the weekend, power wheelchair while yours is being fixed, walker for PT). If you are in need of a scooter, walker or cane to improve your mobility, please call Erica Kiehnhoff at 1-800-344-4867 and say or press 2 for more information.
Completed Durable Medical Equipment Packet must have a medical script, signed Durable Medical Equipment Agreement, and signed MS Release of Information to be processed.
- Download Durable Medical Equipment Packet.
- Completed Durable Medical Equipment Packet can be sent to our office at National MS Society, 7611 State Line Road, Ste 100 in Kansas City, MO 64114, faxed to 816-343-0319, or emailed to Erica Kiehnhoff at erica.kiehnhoff@nmss.org.
Accessible Housing Options
The Mid America Commons in Kansas City, KS and Melissa Anne Hanger Apartments in Topeka, KS are the result of a partnership between the National MS Society and Accessible Space, Inc. We are proud to provide accessible, affordable housing for people with disabilities. Please note that:
- These apartment units are purely independent living opportunities for any person with a disability, including MS. There are no care services being provided, although we will work with all residents with MS to ensure that they are accessing the care they need.
- These apartments are 100% barrier-free, and designed with the wheelchair/scooter user in mind. They feature low countertops, roll-in showers, power entry doors, etc.
- Rent for all the units is federally subsidized and will not exceed 30% of residents' income.
- If people with MS apply, there is no obligation to move in. They can decline an apartment up to three different times before they lose their place on the waiting list.
If you or someone you love would like to live in one of these buildings, please give us a call at 1-800-344-4867. You may press or say 2 and ask for Erica. She will complete the application over the phone with you. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first serve basis.
Marketplace
added 06/04/09 Amigo RT Express scooter. Adjustable seat with lift. In great condition, just two years old. Asking $350 or best offer. Call Carla at (913) 281-1697.
added 06/04/09 Accessible Minivan for sale. 1999 Chrysler Town & Country Activan with ramp. In good condition with less than 80,000 miles. Asking $8500. Call Barbara at (913) 362-2991 or (913) 708-0844.
added 04/16/09 Custom Built Ranch Reverse in Raytown, MO! 3 Bedrooms, 2 Up & 1 Down. Screened-In Porch on a Treed Lot. Hardwood Floors/Tiled Flrs. Formal Dinning & Eat-In Kitchen. The house is Accessible with a Finished Lower Lvl that has a chair lift. Contact Teressa Quigley - Realtor, ABR at 816-407-5317 or teressaquigley@reeceandnichols.com.
added 03/20/09 Computers Available for People with MS
The Mid America Chapter has 10 previously-owned computers that have been donated for use by individuals with MS. If you are in need of a computer, please contact Erica Kiehnhoff at (913) 432-3927 or erica.kiehnhoff@nmss.org. Please note that The MS Society is not liable for any injury, harm, loss, inconvenience or other damage of any kind whatsoever, which may result from or be connected in any way to receipt of assistive devises. The Mid America Chapter provides equipment and assistance installing equipment in good faith and is not responsible for defects in equipment, improper installation or defects of any kind whatsoever. The Mid America Chapter is not responsible for paying or supplying internet for computer.
added 10/13/08 Custom 2002 Ford Econoline 150 with TV/VCR, stereo system, tinted windows, curtains, front & rear air, electric fold down bed in rear. With hydraulic lift worth nearly $5000, side entry and wheelchair tie-downs with seat belts worth $2000. Only 70,000 miles and gets 16-18 MPG. The van is in very good shape and is very clean. Asking price: $10,000. Please call Kurt at (816) 743-9662.
To submit an ad, contact info@nmsskc.org.