Connection Groups
Learn more about Self-Help Groups in our Chapter.
Online Communities
MS Connection
MS Connection is an online community that allows you to find, store and share meaningful updates, posts, videos, articles and other content about MS and the topics you care about most. Connect with people, groups and discussions that relate to the topics that shape your world. Go to www.msconnection.org.
MS World
MSWorld®, Inc. provides a global virtual community of support to people living with multiple sclerosis. The site’s sole mission is to create a safe, informative, useful, and fun place for people to meet, share ideas and gain useful resources to help manage and cope. MSWorld® is the official chat room and message board site for the National MS Society. Go to www.msworld.org.
Caregivers
CaringBridge
CaringBridge is a free one-stop shop that connects and updates communities of supporters on a person’s ongoing health status, treatment, surgeries, progress in therapies and recovery. A personalized CaringBridge website helps keep loved ones informed during difficult times. In return, family and friends give support through guestbook messages.
Lotsa Helping Hands
Lotsa Helping Hands is a free web-based service that allows the community circle of a person with MS to more easily assist with household tasks that can become a burden during times of medical crisis. It’s an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meals delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during times of medical crisis, or family caregiver exhaustion. It’s also a place to keep these ‘circles of community’ informed with status updates, photo galleries, message boards, and more.
Veterans with MS
National Caregivers Support Line
The Department of Veteran Affairs hosts a National Caregivers Support Line, a telephone-based information line for family members and loved ones who provide care for Veterans who are living with the effects of war, disability, chronic illness or aging. Licensed clinical social workers are available to answer questions and link callers to the Caregiver Support Coordinator at their local VA Medical Center. The support line is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information call 1-855-260-3274 or visit www.caregiver.va.gov.
Support Conference Call
The Department of Veteran Affairs also hosts a monthly support and education conference call for caregivers of Veterans with MS, where caregivers can connect and share their experiences. The group meets the fourth Monday of every month from 7-8 p.m. The call-in number is 1-800-767-1750, access code 43157#. For more information contact the group’s facilitator, Maggie Kazmierski, at 1-800-464-6295, ext. 6095 or email Margaret.Kazmierski@va.gov.