Apr 14, 2009
Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Town Hall Meeting
Monmouth/Ocean Counties – For decades, the common wisdom was that MS started in adulthood. Scientists and doctors now know that up to 10,000 of the estimated 400,000 Americans who have MS are children or adolescents. At least that many children also have experienced at least one symptom suggestive of MS. This younger population offers new challenges for doctors, parents and organizations such as the Society that strive to meet the needs of everyone living with MS.
The New Jersey Metro Chapter has scheduled a meeting for kids and teens that have been diagnosed with MS. The meeting will take place on Thursday, April 23 from 6 -8 pm at the Star and Barry Ambulatory Campus at Centra State Medical Center, Freehold, NJ. This will give you an opportunity to learn how the Chapter can support you and your family in moving forward with a diagnosis of MS. In addition to learning about chapter services, you will meet other families who have similar experiences. A representative from the MS Center will add to our conversation by discussing a possible scuba program for kids and teens with MS. A light dinner will be served.
Every hour someone is diagnosed with MS, a chronic disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and stops people from moving. For some, this means living with unpredictable symptoms that can come and go, like numbness and blurred vision. For others, there is more permanent damage, like paralysis. For everyone impacted by MS, it means not knowing what the day will bring and always being prepared for the unexpected, making it difficult to move forward in life.
About the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National MS Society
The New Jersey Metro Chapter was established in 2008 with the joining forces of the Mid-Jersey and Greater North Jersey Chapters. With offices located in Oakhurst and Paramus the New Jersey Metro Chapter services individuals and families with multiple sclerosis living in Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, Middlesex, Hunterdon , Mercer, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. Although our office services this area, every office in our nationwide network of chapters offers programs that enhance knowledge, health, and independence.
To attend this meeting or for more information about multiple sclerosis or local programs and services for those living with MS contact the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 732-660-1005, e-mail Allison.cerco@nmss.org
or visit our website at www.nationalMSsociety.org/njm.