Access life skills online
The right introduction can open all sorts of doors—to new friends, a job, or a new way of thinking about problems. The Web site livinglifetothefull.com offers a free and easily accessible online course on life skills that can help people change negative patterns of thinking.
When to get professional help
The online course is no substitute for one-on-one time with a professional therapist. But it can help people who have been hesitant about getting help—whether because of time, money, or simply not knowing where to start. It’s also a good introduction to cognitive behavior therapy, a form of therapy that focuses on helping people change how they think about their problems.
A spectrum of life skills
“MS is an unpredictable disease, and that unpredictability can cause a world of anxious feelings,” said Rosalind Kalb, PhD, vice president of the Society’s Professional Resource Center. “Living Life to the Full won’t make that go away. However, it helps you identify any self-defeating thought patterns that aren’t getting you anywhere,” said Kalb.
Module topics range from practical problem solving to building confidence. Kalb particularly likes the one on sleeping. “Sleep problems are very common in MS,” she said. “This was a very good introduction to learning how to start helping yourself by using better sleep habits.”
Click onto MS Learn Online®
MS Learn Online® celebrates its 10th year of online educational programs with a slew of new features and an all-new player.
Round the clock information
The player features three channels of programming:
- The Feature Presentation, a 10-to-12-minute webcast on a range of topics. New presentations go live the first and third Thursday of each month.
- The Daily Minute, a one-minute factoid about MS every day of the week.
- A once-a-week Q&A where an MS Learn Online expert answers viewers’ questions. mslearnonline@nmss.org.
Extra, extra
Some upcoming topics include MS and the workplace, pediatric MS, medical self-advocacy, progressive MS, parenting with MS, and more. Each program features a guest expert interviewed by correspondents Rick Sommers or Kate Milliken, who themselves have MS. “They understand what our audience is living with,” Gibson said. “They have their own personal angle on each topic.”
How to use the new player
The player launches when you click any topic at nationalMSsociety.org/mslearnonline. It works best with Microsoft Windows; Apple users may need to buy the program WMV Player Pro at flip4mac.com/wmv.htm in order to use the player. Visitors can download a PDF or an mp3 podcast, if they prefer to read or listen to the program. E-mail mslearnonline@nmss.org for notifications of upcoming programs.
The CHOICE option
More choices for people who prefer to listen because they find reading for fun fatiguing, difficult, or impossible: CHOICE Magazine Listening enables people with disabilities to keep up with the best in current magazine writing. Produced on two four-track cassette tapes six times a year, CHOICE provides unabridged articles, read by professionals, from such quality publications as National Geographic, Smithsonian, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. The articles, short stories, poetry and interviews are selected from more than 100 magazines and other periodicals.
CHOICE Magazine Listening is available free of charge not only to people who are blind, but to anyone who is experiencing vision loss or has other disabilities that limit or prevent reading standard print.
A four-track tape player is needed for listening to these tapes, but it too is free. For information on subscribing and obtaining the free tape player visit choicemagazinelistening.org or call 1-888-724-6423.
New Coordinator at B.Fit!
B.Fit! provides physical and emotional wellness activities for individuals living at home with advanced multiple sclerosis. It all happens at The Boston Home in Dorchester, MA, in a supportive, barrier-free setting that provides a safe, nurturing, supervised environment where individuals are able to develop friendships and stay active.
B.Fit! members report great satisfaction and an improved quality of life as they participate in a variety of exercise and discussion groups while making new friends and connections. “I’m excited about this new opportunity and look forward to working with the B.Fit! community,” Glory stated on a recent visit to the chapter. B.Fit! operates once a week and is currently accepting new members. To set up a visit contact Glory at 617-326-4300, or glorywideman@thebostonhome.org.
Founded in 1881, The Boston Home is a not-for-profit; specialized Residence and Center for Care for adults with advanced Multiple Sclerosis and other progressive neurological diseases. The Boston Home has been designated a Center for Excellence in Long Term Care by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It is the only facility of its kind in New England and one of only a few in the United States. The Boston Home Institute advances standards for care through research and education, and its outpatient services provide therapeutic and social programs for outpatients. Visit www.thebostonhome.org.
Peer Support
Do you want to talk to someone who can understand the experience of living with multiple sclerosis? Many people with MS and their families seek support, understanding, information, and guidance from others who experience common circumstances. The Central New England Chapter’s Peer Support Program can connect you to a Peer Support Volunteer, via the telephone, who can help by providing a safe environment for you to discuss the emotions and experiences associated with MS.
The Peer Support Program is comprised of trained volunteers who have had MS for at least two years, either as a person with MS or as an immediate family member of a person with MS.
There is no cost to participate in the Peer Support Program. If you are seeking support, and would like to be connected to a Peer Support Volunteer please contact the Chapter at 1-800-344-4867.
MS in a Box…..delivered to your doorstep!
- Do you want an MS educational activity in your community?
- Do your friends & family want to know more about MS?
- Are you a teacher looking for new ideas to share with your class?
- Are you a health care professional interested in MS?
- Are you an exercise professional who wants to work with people with MS?
If you answer ‘YES!’ to any of these questions, then MS Programs in a Box is your answer. MS Programs in a Box is perfect for small group learning, activities & discussion. Topics include Genetics, Research, Cognition, Fatigue, Mobility, Pregnancy, Making Treatment Decisions, and a variety of activities for kids. We also have Professional Development for Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Exercise Professionals. Most programs include either a DVD or VHS presentation and come with relevant printed materials and/or manuals.
Chapter staff is available to help you plan and market your program.
There is no fee to access MS Programs in a Box.
Contact Amber Stalker for details or to request a program listing: 1-800-344-4867, option 2, ext. 127 or Amber.stalker@mam.nmss.org. Some restrictions apply.