Winter Teleconference Series
2009
Financial Planning for a Life with MS
Recording Part 1 | Part 2
| Recorded: | Wednesday, January 28, 2009 |
| Time: | 90 minutes total |
| Topic: | This call discussed important steps in planning your financial future, including insurance options, taking control of finances, and handling estate issues. |
| Presenter: | Patricia Nowak, ChFC, CLU, LUTCF, is a member of the Vermont chapter of Financial Service Professionals (FSP) and also serves on the FSP national board. She is a registered agent and investment advisor with New York Life/NYLIFE Securities and she and her husband own and operate Nowak & Nowak Financial Services, which specializes in asset management, estate and financial planning. |
Invisible Symptoms: Mood, Memory & Fatigue
Recording Part 1 | Part 2
| Recorded: | Wednesday, February 4, 2009 |
| Time: | 90 minutes total |
| Topic: | Fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment are among the most common, interrelated, and misdiagnosed problems in multiple sclerosis. During this call, hidden symptoms are reviewed, common confusions between them are discussed, and ways to distinguish between them are examined. Treatment approaches are also discussed, including a side effects reduction approach for common MS medications. |
| Presenter: | Guest speaker Brant J. Oliver, NP, MSN, MPH is a Nurse Practitioner in Neurology and Psychiatry at the MS Center at Dartmouth, in Lebanon, NH. |
MS: What We Know About the Genetic Connection
Recording
| Recorded: | Tuesday, February 24, 2009 |
| Time: | 90 minutes total |
| Topic: | Who gets MS and how are genetics involved? How do genetics affect one's disease course and the way individuals will respond to treatment? Are you looking to discover what is currently known about genetics in MS? These are just a few of the questions discussed in this call. |
| Presenter: | Hosted by David A. Hafler, MD, the Jack, Sadie & David Breakstone Professor of Neurology; Director of the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology in the Center for Neurologic Diseases at Harvard Medical School; and a founding member of the International MS Genetic Consortium. |
2008
MS Research Update
Recording Part 1 | Part 2
| Recorded: | February 27, 2008 |
| Time: | 90 minutes in length |
| Topic: | Looking to increase your knowledge on current MS research? This is the call for you! Topics for this call include updates on: the immunology of MS; MS and genetics; myelin development and repair in MS; current research and treatments in the field; major unsolved problems in MS Research; and understanding the role of the National MS Society in advancing our knowledge. |
| Guest Speaker: | Dr. Patricia O'Looney, Vice President of Biomedical Research with the Research and Clinical Programs Department of the National MS Society discusses important research topics and answers various participant research questions. |
MS: Top 10 Questions
Recording Part 1 | Part 2
| Recorded: | February 13, 2008 |
| Time: | 90 minutes in length |
| Topic: | What are your top 10 MS questions? Have you ever wondered if you were alone in questioning some of the aspects of your MS? |
| Guest Speaker: | Dr. Angela Applebee, a neurology fellow at the MS Center of Northern New England at Fletcher Allen Hospital, will address the most common concerns facing individuals living with MS through the top 10 questions she receives about MS. |
Social Security Disability Insurance: Navigating the Application Process
Recording
| Recorded: | January 29, 2008 |
| Time: | 90 minutes in length |
| Topic: | If you are unable to work due to an MS-related disability and/or other conditions, you might be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. SSDI provides cash benefits to replace some of the income you can no longer earn due to disability. But SSDI can be a bit of a mystery, and the application process can be difficult. Knowing the facts can help you decide if SSDI is right for you and how you can increase your chance of approval. |
| Guest Speaker: | Social Security Disability Attorney Winona Zimberlin of Hartford, CT. will help us answer some common questions, such as: Do I qualify for benefits? How do I apply? What can I do to reduce the chance of denial? |
2007
Financial Planning
Recording Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
| Recorded: | January 23, 2007 |
| Time: | 90 minutes in length |
| Topic: | Planning for life with a chronic and unpredictable illness involves planning for the future. This teleconference recording focuses on financial planning issues important to people with MS, including the need to plan for your financial future through asset protection and organizing your resources. |
| Guest Speaker: | Michael J. Leone, President of Leone Financial Services, is an insurance agent and consultant. He specializes in insurance and financial issues facing people with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Mr. Leone is a frequent lecturer for families of people with disabilities on financial planning. He also serves as Vice President of PLAN of Connecticut, and Chairman of the Trust Committee. |
MS & Cognition
Recording
| Recorded: | February 27, 2007 |
| Time: | 90 minutes in length |
| Topic: | Cognitive difficulties in MS are very real. Approximately 50% of people with MS develop some degree of cognitive dysfunction, affecting their ability to think, reason, concentrate or remember. Learn how MS affects cognition and learn practical, concrete tips to enhance your cognitive function in daily life. |
| Guest Speaker: | Dr. Taher Zandi, a Clinical Neuropsychologist, is Director of the Alzheimer’s disease Assistance Center in Plattsburgh, NY. He is the founding Director of the Center for Intergenerational Studies and Programs at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. |
Managing Progressive MS
Recording
| Recorded: | February 21, 2007 |
| Time: | 90 minutes in length |
| Topic: | What is progressive MS and how do I manage it? What is the difference between primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS? What can I do to manage the variety of symptoms? If you are living with these questions, this teleconference discusses key characteristics of progressive MS and what you can do to manage your mental and physical health everyday. |
| Guest Speaker: | Christine St. Laurent, MSN, RN, MSCN is the Coordinator for the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro, MA. Christine has a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in Community Health. She is an MS Certified Nurse, a member of the International Organization of MS Nurses, and active with both the Central New England and the Rhode Island Chapters of the National MS Society. |