The chapter offers a wide variety of groups for individuals with MS and loved ones, including peer-led Self-help groups and Professionally-led support groups. For more information about these groups, call 202-296-5363 or email groups@MSandYOU.org.
If you prefer to connect with a peer group by phone, the chapter also offers Connections, a telephone reassurance program that matches trained volunteers who have MS with others who live with the disease.
Self-Help Groups
The chapter works with a number of self-help groups around the Washington, DC area, led by persons with MS, to provide support and share information. Please contact the self-help group leader prior to attending a group meeting to verify that the meeting time, date, and location are accurate. Groups occasionally change their meeting schedules. All locations are fully accessible.
Maryland
Bethesda/Silver Spring
Meets the third Saturday of the month from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.
Contact: Nancy at 301-933-4861 (please call in afternoons only)
Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church – Chalice House (adjacent to main church building)
9601 Cedar Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
This group welcomes family and friends as well as individuals with MS.
Bowie/Crofton
Meets the first Thursday of the month from 7:30pm – 9:30pm in Bowie and fourth Thursday of the month from 12:00pm – 2:00pm in Crofton.
Contact: Rick at 301-464-5153
Bowie meeting:
Knights of Columbus Hall
6111 Columbian Way
Bowie, MD 20715
Charles County
Typically meets the second Tuesday of the month from 12:00pm – 2:00pm, times and dates change for special programs.
Contact: Anita at 240-776-2245 or ms.group.charlescounty.md@gmail.com
Locations vary. Contact the group leader for location of upcoming meeting.
View the group website.
Lexington Park (St. Mary’s County)
Meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm.
Contact: Patty at 301-737-1901
Please contact group leader for meeting location.
Prince Frederick (Calvert County)
Meets the second Saturday of the month from 11:00am – 12:30pm.
Contact: Don or Charlotte at 410-414-3458 or alltherosses@comcast.net
Please contact group leader for meeting location.
This group welcomes family and friends as well as individuals with MS.
Virginia
Dale City/Woodbridge
Meets the third Thursday of the month from 10:30am – 12:30pm.
Contact: Barbara at 703-491-8108 (please do not call before 8am or after 8pm)
Please contact the group leader for meeting location.
This group welcomes family and friends as well as individuals with MS.
Springfield
Meets the third Saturday of the month from 10:00am – 12:00pm. Also meets the first Saturday of the month for informal “coffee” meeting.
Contact: Dana or Carolyn at springfield.selfhelp.group@gmail.com or 202-630-8247 (please do not call before 11am or after 7pm)
Sunrise Assisted Living
6541 Franconia Road, Third Floor
Springfield, VA 22150
Sterling (Loudoun County)
Meets the last Sunday of the month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm.
Contact: Rosanne at Loudoun.ms.peergroup@gmail.com or 703-651-2993 (please do not call before 9am or after 8pm)
Please contact group leader for meeting location.
Vienna
Meets the second Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
Contact: Retta at 703-768-4841 (please do not call before 10am or after 7pm)
Vienna Presbyterian Church
124 Park Street NE
Vienna, VA 22180
This group welcomes family and friends as well as individuals with MS.
Washington, DC
Typically meets the second Saturday of the month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Contact: Sylvia at 202-291-9351 or Julia at 202-638-0704
Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 South Dakota Ave NE
Washington, DC 20011
The chapter supports self-help groups by providing the initial orientation and ongoing training to leaders and co-leaders. Leaders receive regular research and program updates, as well as a chapter and national newsletter with program ideas, updates and tips for running meetings. Staff liaisons are also available to visit the group. If you are interested in starting a new self-help group in your area, contact Julie Humphrey Vallelunga at 202-296-5363 or groups@msandyou.org.
Self-Help Groups for Specific Populations
These peer-led groups serve those with specific interests. Please contact the self-help group leader prior to attending a group meeting to verify that the meeting time, date, and location are accurate. Groups occasionally change their meeting schedules. All locations are fully accessible.
MS Y.A.N.A. (MS You Are Not Alone)
This group focuses on African-Americans and young adults with MS, but is open to everyone*. Meets the first Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
Contact: Tyra at msyouarenotalone@yahoo.com or 301-379-4618
www.msyanaonline.org
10201 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Lanham, MD 20720
*This group welcomes family and friends as well as individuals with MS.
Prince George’s County (Fort Washington)
This is an active African American group. The group welcomes family and friends as well as individuals with MS. Meets the second Saturday of the month from 12:00pm – 2:00pm.
Contact: Jackie at 301-464-1366 or Ted at yddet5@juno.com
Woodside Village
6801 Bock Road
Fort Washington, MD 20744
Working with MS
This solution-focused group is for individuals with MS who are living and working (employed, seeking to return to work, or exploring retirement options) with the symptoms and diagnosis of MS. Meets the second Sunday of the month from 3:00pm – 5:00pm.
Contact: Kathy at WorkingWithMS.DC.MD.VA@gmail.com or 301-337-8106 (please leave a message)
Rockville Nursing Home - Conference Room
303 Adclare Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Professionally-led Support Groups
Facing the Challenge: MS in Your 20s (Bethesda, MD)
This group is for 20-somethings living with MS, led by Ruth Simon of Child Center and Adult Services, Inc. Topics may include dating and relationships, employment, and treatment tips. Meets weekly October – May and monthly in summertime on Tuesdays from 6:30pm – 8:00pm.
Contact: Ruth Simon at 301-229-6764
There is no fee for the group, but registration is required.
Family Caregiver Support Group (Bethesda, MD)
Join other family caregivers of people with MS — spouses, partners, siblings, adult children, parents — to share concerns, stories and resources. This group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:45pm – 8:15pm.
Contact: Kevin Dougherty at 202-296-5363 or Kevin.dougherty@nmss.org
Suburban Hospital
Bethesda, MD
There is no fee for the group, but registration is required.
Newly Diagnosed Group (various locations)
The chapter offers professionally-led short-term Newly Diagnosed Groups four times a year in various locations. Groups meet once a week for four sessions. Individuals who have been diagnosed with MS in the past two years and their family members are welcome.
Topics of discussion will include symptoms and symptom management, communication and positive coping skills, individual and family adjustment to MS, employment issues, changes in lifestyles, roles, relationships, and responsibilities, and community resources.
Please visit the Program Calendar to find information on the next Newly Diagnosed Group, or contact the chapter at 202-296-5363 or groups@msandyou.org.
SCI-MS Support Group (Rockville, MD)
This is a group for individuals with spinal cord injury or MS and caregivers, led by staff at the Adventist Rehabilitation Center in Rockville, MD. The group meets on the third Thursday of the month from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, except January and February. RSVP is not required, except for December holiday potluck.
Contact: Lisa at 240-864-6076 or sci-ms_support@adventisthealthcare.com
Teen Talk (Silver Spring, Md)
Teen Talk is a get-together for teens 13 to 18 years old who have a parent with MS. Through discussion and activities, teens share with each other about life with MS and life in general.
Carol Napoli, RN, LPC, a licensed counselor, has co-led Teen Talk for the past four years. She has extensive experience working with children and teens and loves seeing and learning about the world through their eyes. Meeting dates vary – please call or email for upcoming dates.
Contact: Emily Smith at 202-296-5363 or emily.smith@nmss.org
Family and Nursing Care Office
962 Wayne Avenue - Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910
There is no fee for the group, but registration is required. Limited transportation assistance is available.