Getting the support you need
On the Web or face-to-face, find people who’ll help you take charge of your MS. Meet three people who’ve done it.
Reaching out
“Some people don’t want to tell their friends,” James Sagen, 22, who lives in Washington, told MS Connection. “But I told mine, and their laughter and humor helped me get through the months after diagnosis. Then I began a live blog. By chance, one girl replied that she had MS, too. Now she’s one of my best friends.”
Just recently, James’ Society chapter started luncheons for young people. “Meeting more young people with MS opened my eyes,” James said. “It made me see you can live with MS comfortably.”
Tara Lane was diagnosed in 2000 when she was getting married in Vail, Colo. “I participated in Bike MS, and Walk MS events,” said Tara, 37, who teaches figure skating. “That gave me the idea for an MS Skate-a-Thon. When I met another woman in the skating community who had MS, we started our own group, reaching out to more people. The greater my network is, the better educated I become.”
When Tiffany Jones went off to college, she decided not to disclose her MS on campus. “I have my family, the Society and members of my church for support,” the 20-year-old said. Tiffany, a dancer, attends Chicago’s Trinity United Church, where she learned “praise dancing” —ballet dancing to gospel songs. Now as an MS Ambassador, she performs praise dancing at Society events to spread the word.
Take a step
Newly Diagnosed Educational Support Group
The National MS Society, Central New England Chapter is sponsoring a three-part educational and support series for people who have been newly diagnosed with MS, their family and their friends. The series is facilitated by Nurse Practitioner Lynn Stazzone, RN, MS, CNS, NP and Psychologist David Rintell, Ed.D. They will explore living well with MS through three topics:
- MS Treatments – Learn about treating MS, what works and why.
- Symptom Management – What are the most common symptoms of MS, approved treatments, treating the whole person and complementary therapies.
- Making Your Relationships Work – Personal & professional disclosures & effective communication.
There will be a Spring session and a Summer session. The Meetings are free, BUT PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Space is limited; you may bring a maximum of two guests.
DATE: 1st Wednesday of the Month
Spring Session - March 4, April 1 and May 6
Summer Session - June 3, July 1 and August 5
WHERE: Partner’s MS Center at Brigham & Women’s
1 Brookline Place
Brookline, MA 02445
2nd Floor Conference Room
TIME: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Parking: $ 8-10 in parking garage or metered street parking.
To register, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit us online. If you have question please contact Sarah Fimian at sarah.fimian@mam.nmss.org or 1-800-344-4867, option 2.