Text Size

• Change the text size to small
• Change the text size to medium
• Change the text size to large

 
Can We Talk?

Newly Diagnosed Teleconferences

For people diagnosed within the last five years, call in to a toll free number to hear from experts about various topics of interest to those recently diagnosed with MS. Live Q&A session held during each call – get your own questions answered! Participate from the comfort of your own home. Register for just one call or all three.

Wednesday, October 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
”Top 10 List” of MS Questions
Dr. Angela Applebee, Director of the MS Center of Northern New England at Fletcher Allen Health Care, will address the most common questions and concerns facing individuals living with MS through the top 10 questions she receives about MS.
Register by October 17

Wednesday, November 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
“But You Look So Well”
Pam Mills, RN, BSN, MSCN, is a registered nurse who specializes in oncology and multiple sclerosis. She has been an MS certified nurse for the last 13 years. People who have “invisible” MS symptoms (fatigue, pain, vision, memory, heat sensitivity) have a unique set of problems. Learn about these symptoms and coping with the frustration of someone saying to you “But you look so well.”
Register by November 20

Tuesday, December 11,  6:30-7:30 p.m.
Balancing the Medical and Practical Aspects of MS
Brant Oliver, PhD, NP, MSN, MPH, Nurse Practitioner in Neurology & Psychiatry, MS Clinic, Concord Hospital Neurology Associates, Concord, NH. Have you ever asked yourself these questions? How do I tell if I’m having an exacerbation? How do I know when I should call my doctor? What can I do to reduce stress in my life?  Practical tips to answer these questions and more will be discussed.
Register by December 4.

Motor Vehicle Cost Saving Tips:

Two Opportunities to Save Money on Your Car!

Excise Tax Exemptions:

• If you have a disability and live in Massachusetts, Maine, or Vermont, you may be eligible for an excise tax exemption when you purchase a new or leased motor vehicle!
• Questions about your motor vehicle excise should be directed to your local Board of Assessors. To identify your local Assessor’s office, contact your Town Hall or Clerk and ask for information on automotive excise tax exemptions for people with disabilities.

Car Manufacturer Rebate Programs:

• Most automotive manufacturers offer rebate assistance to customers when they purchase mobility equipment. Program guidelines and eligibility varies with each manufacturer.
• Creative Controls lists information about each program.
• To find out more, visit: http://creativecontrolsinc.com/services/riembursement.htm.

Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition

The Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition (MLRC) has applied for supplemental funding to provide high quality respite care services to meet the needs of underserved populations and address service gaps in Massachusetts. The MLRC plans disbursement throughout the Commonwealth and across various disability populations and age ranges, through a competitive mini-grant “Request for Proposal” process. Eligible organizations, agencies and healthcare facilities must either currently provide respite care services or are interested in starting a respite care program. This opportunity should provide up to ten, $10,000 mini-grants and the funding is expected to be awarded in early September 2012. If your organization is interested in learning more about this grant, contact Ginny Morse at virginia.morse@nmss.org or 781-693-5140.

Meet our Two Summer Fellows

Computer Outreach Program

The Greater New England Chapter is excited to announce a new initiative to help people stay connected. This program provides simple computers to individuals who have MS and are restricted to their own homes or are living in long term care facilities without access to a computer. Technical support is provided, on a limited basis to help set up the computer. Computer training is not available.

To qualify you must have access to high speed internet and have basic computer skills.

How you can help:

This program depends on the generosity of people who donate used computers/equipment to the program; thank you for considering a donation! 

The minimum requirements are as follows:

• 1.5ghz CPU or higher
• 1 gb RAM or higher (DDR or SDRAM)
• Windows XP Operating System or later
• CD ROM or DVD ROM Drives
• Flat Screen Monitors (No CRT's)
• Printers, scanners and fax machines cannot be accepted.

Volunteer:

The Greater New England Chapter is looking for Computer Outreach Program volunteers to assist the Chapter with refurbishing donations, loading software and assistive/adaptive technology and delivery with setup of computers to people living with MS.

For more information about this program contact Allyssa Thompson at 603-623-3502 or email Allyssa.Thompson@nmss.org.

2012 Multiple Sclerosis Internship Program

The Greater New England Chapter, in collaboration with Genzyme Corporation and Suffolk Construction, through the Boston Private Industry Council’s Summer Jobs Campaign, provided five  Boston-area high school students a unique summer internship. Acting as assistant project managers for five home modification projects to improve home accessibility for individuals with MS, the interns spent time at the sponsoring organizations learning about MS and how both non-profit and for-profit entities contribute to improving the lives of people with MS.

From left:  Jahniah Santiago, Evan Chung, Christiana Eguntola, John Le, and Joelle Aupont

Caring Connections

Multiple Sclerosis brings many changes and challenges not only to the people with MS, but also to their families and friends.   Caregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, and the health and well-being of a caregiver is essential to enabling them to care for someone else. Care partners only are invited to join us. This informal meeting will give those providing care the opportunity to talk about the impact of MS on their lives and to share their struggles and solutions with each other. The Care Partners meetings are open to anyone with a loved one with MS, including spouses, partners, adult children, parents or other relatives and friends. Pre-registration is required. Light snacks will be served.

Maine
Saturday, November 3
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Ellsworth Public Library
20 State Street
Ellsworth, ME  04605

New Hampshire
Saturday, November 10
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Gorham Public Library
35 Railroad Street
Gorham, NH  03581

Massachusetts
Saturday, November 3
10:00 a.m. – Noon
National MS Society, Chapter Office
101A First Avenue
Waltham, MA 02451

Vermont
Sunday, November 4
10:00 a.m. – Noon
National MS Society, Chapter Office
75 Talcott Rd., Suite 40
Williston, VT

National MS Society Town Hall Meetings

To register, call 800-344-4867.

Calais, Maine
Thursday, September 6
6:30 – 8:00  p.m.
heidi.eastman@nmss.org

Orleans, MA
Thursday, September 27
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
martha.maynard@nmss.org

Plymouth, NH (Special Meet & Greet)
Wednesday, September 19
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
allyssa.thompson@nmss.org

St. Johnsbury, VT
Thursday, September 20
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
shanna.mccabe@nmss.org

*Light Refreshments will be served*

Who Should Come?

• People with MS and their guests:  family, friends, or other loved ones  (adults only please)
• Health Care Professionals/Community Agencies providing services to people affected by multiple sclerosis
• Community Organizations that want to join the movement to create world free of MS

What are we going to do?

• Learn about the National MS Society and our Chapter’s programs, services and events
• Explore community resources specific to the needs of people with MS
• Connect with others in the area whose lives are affected by MS . . . including family and friends
• Meet local chapter staff

Questions about the Town Hall Meeting or hosting one in your state? Call the chapter or email the staff contact listed below your state.

Café con Leche

Conversación y Apoyo para Personas Viviendo con la Esclerosis Múltiple (EM)

La Sociedad Nacional de Esclerosis Múltiple ofrece una vez al mes un grupo telefónico, totalmente en español.

Aproveche la oportunidad para hablar de sus preocupaciones y conozca a otras personas que entienden su situación. Los temas serán enfocados en áreas de interés para personas viviendo con EM. Además, invitaremos a expertos de diferentes ramas de especialidad en la EM para conversar sobre temas importantes para Ud.

El tratamiento temprano y continuo con una terapia aprobada por el FDA puede hacer una diferencia en personas con esclerosis múltiple. Aprenda sobre sus opciones hablando con su profesional de la salud y contactando a la Sociedad

Nacional de Esclerosis Múltiple al 1-800-344-4867 o visítenos en el Internet www.nationalMSsociety.org.

Este programa es posible gracias a una generosa subvención de la Fundación Medtronic.

Los martes en 2012-13:

• Oct 9
• Nov 13
• Dic 11
• Enero 8
• Feb 12
• Marzo 12 (Durante la semana de conocimiento sobre la EM)
• Abril 9
• Mayo 7
• Junio 11

Horario: 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
(Hora estándar del este)

Receso - julio-septiembre
Fechas para el resto del año se anunciarán más tarde.

Para más información o para inscribirse llame al 1-800-344-4867, opción 3. Nuevos participantes se aceptarán en todas las fechas.

Program Highlights

MS Vacation Week

MS Vacation Week took place June 10-15 at Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks in Hebron, Connecticut. In it’s 25th year, this collaborative program of the Greater New England and Connecticut Chapters offers a five-day get-a-away for people with MS. Campers took part in arts and crafts, a day of beauty, animal therapy, yoga, boating, fishing, a nature walk, massage therapy, swimming in an accessible pool, a casino day, and much more. Workshops were held on “Cognition in MS”, Music Therapy, and Complementary Therapies. Participants enjoyed socializing every evening during Karaoke night, a costume party, the annual talent show (allowing campers and volunteers alike to showcase their unique talents), and dancing (wheelchairs and all) to some great music. People attending always call camp “The Best Week of the Year!”  Partial funding was generously provided by the Camp Burt Tetlow Foundation.

Kids Get MS Too: Winter Weekend

In March, families from the New England region and Virginia, joined Chapter staff and volunteers at the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield, MA for a new Kids Get MS Too overnight program. During the weekend, families attended a presentation on School and MS and enjoyed the hotel facilities, including a Family Game Night. Fun was had by all with ice cream sundaes, charades, board games and a dance party. Tanuja Chitnis, MD, Director of the Partners Pediatric MS Center at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children presented two workshops. One for parents on emerging therapies and one for kids and teens to ‘Ask the Doctor’. There was also ample time for parents and kids to engage in group discussions.

Caring Connections: Support for Family and Friends

Care partners and family members attended informal support meetings in the spring for the opportunity to discuss the effect of MS on their lives and to share their struggles and solutions with each other. Guests were given resources and program information specific for caregivers as well as Chapter information. The Chapter will continue to offer Caring Connections meetings, as well as other opportunities for family and friends, to support themselves and their loved one with MS.

MS REACH –

• Martha’s Vineyard, MA
  On July 18, the Chapter held the program “Current and Emerging Therapies in MS” at the Howe’s House Senior Center in West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard. Dr. Ann Cabot of Neurology Associates and the MS Clinic at Concord Hospital, Concord, NH spoke about current treatments for MS and exciting new therapies in the research pipeline. “Vineyarders” and summer vacationers learned about programs and services available through the National MS Society. While on the island local chapter staff met with several Martha’s Vineyard community agencies to discuss ways to work together and how each of our programs and services could benefit individuals and family members affected by MS.
• Outer Cape Cod, Provincetown, MA
  On June 6, the Chapter held a “Meet n’ Greet” event at Seashore Point in Provincetown, MA. Local residents with MS, family members and Provincetown community agencies staff attended and learned about the programs and services available through the chapter.
• Conway, NH
  On June 19, the Chapter held a Town Hall Meeting for local residents with MS and their families at the Conway Public Library. This meeting offered an opportunity to share information about MS, programs through the National MS Society, and other local resources. Two representatives from Memorial Hospital presented information to the group about the Better Choices, Better Health chronic disease self-management program being offered there.

Can Do Multiple Sclerosis - Jumpstart Program

This year, the chapter is partnering with the CAN DO Multiple Sclerosis team based in Colorado (formerly the Jimmy Heuga Center) to offer their specially designed CAN DO Jumpstart program in our chapter. CAN DO is an educational and interactive one day program in which the person with MS and their support partner gain the knowledge, skills and tools needed to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and actively co-manage their MS. The program was held on June 2 in Norwood, MA and on June 3 in Portland, ME. The keynote address was on Nutrition, with additional workshops held on Physical Activity, Managing Your Healthcare, and a Support Partner session. The feedback from participants was excellent and the support partners were thrilled to have their own workshop specifically for them. Upcoming CAN DO programs are being held in Nashua, NH on September 15 and in Rutland, VT on September 16. Check out the cover page of Community PrograMS for more information.

Men With MS:  Facing Challenges, Finding Solutions, Portsmouth, NH

On Saturday, June 16, the Chapter invited “men only” to join us for a unique opportunity to explore issues related to being male and having MS. This was a day to learn and discuss the effect that MS has on the male identity, to learn to overcome some obstacles, and to remind our “guys” of their many strengths. David Rintell, Ed.D. facilitated the day and the reviews were excellent. Most men commented that they wished the day would have been longer and really enjoyed the presentation, the opportunity to meet and network with other men, and also the laughs that ended the day, as two Maine comedians performed.

Family Fun Picnic, Prospect, Maine

It does not get much better than a family picnic on a beautiful summer day at a Maine historic site. This was the scene on Sunday, June 24 when the Ellsworth Self Help Group hosted the second annual Family Picnic at Fort Knox in Prospect, Maine. Several new faces joined us this day and had the opportunity to meet other families who are living with MS. Tours were taken, phone numbers were exchanged, and ice cream was enjoyed by all. Many thanks to the Ellsworth Self Help Group. We hope to see more of you there next year.

VT Spring MS Education Day

This educational program was held on May 6 at the Stoweflake Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont. The agenda included a resource expo and networking breakfast, followed by a general session on the Top10 MS Questions presented by Angela Applebee, MD, Director of the MS Center of Northern New England. Guests attended one of the following workshops: Caregiver Connection, a Q&A session with Andrew Solomon, MD, and a symptom management presentation by Sandy McGrath, LPN. Balance and MS presentation by Sue Kasser, PhD, concluded the day.