2011 Scholarship Recipients
Photos of the 2011 recipients from the Greater New England Chapter along with information for each recipient can be seen our our website.
Applications for 2012 will be available in October at nationalMSsociety.org/Scholarship.
Invitation to Participate in Housing Needs Survey
To learn more about the accessible independent housing needs of people who live with MS everyday, we have developed a survey and ask for your participation. Your completing this survey will add to our understanding of the many needs and desires (reported in previous surveys) regarding appropriate housing arrangements for people who are disabled from the effects of MS. The Chapter plans to partner with other interested organizations and to explore the development of housing alternatives. You can access the survey on-line at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MAMHousingSurvey or, if you prefer to complete a hard copy, please call us at 781.693.5126 and we will send one to you.
Programs
To register: www.MSnewengland.org or 1-800-344-4867
Did you know almost every National MS Society program in the Northeast is available to anyone affected by MS? To learn about programs available to you, please select “Northeast Programs & Services” from the left navigation menu, then select the chapter you wish to review.
Maine
Sat., June 25, 11a.m.-2p.m., Fort Knox, Prospect, ME
Family Style barbeque at one of the greatest sites in Maine – Fort Knox! Meet and chat with other families with MS, enjoy the sites and great barbeque. This event is free. Registration includes lunch, admission to Fort Knox and also Penobscot Narrows Observatory. Family members and friends of all ages welcome to attend. Limit 4 guests per registrant. You must register in advance to attend.
Sat., September 17, 10a.m.-2p.m., Brunswick, ME
Learn about MS and treatments, employment and emotional wellness as you meet and chat with peers who are also newly diagnosed. Friends and adult family members are welcome to attend. This program is free. Lunch provided.
Massachusetts
Sat., June 18, 10a.m.-2p.m., Baldwinville, MA
Please join us for a Family Style barbeque. Meet and chat with other families with MS and then enjoy the sites and barbeque. This event is free. Registration includes lunch. Family members and friends of all ages welcome to attend. Limit 4 guests per registrant. You must register in advance to attend.
Sat., June 25, 9:30a.m.-1:30p.m.
Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Attleboro, MA
Join us for this collaborative fair with the MS Center at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Learn about your health and well-being from nurses and skilled professionals in the healthcare/wellness industry. Interactive booths with professionals available to talk with you about their area of expertise and answer your questions about health and wellness. Booths include blood pressure screenings, skin screenings, Ask the Pharmacist, yoga, massage, exercise, balance assessment and nutrition. Light snacks provided.
Sun., September 18, 10a.m.-2p.m., South Hadley, MA
Learn about MS and treatments, employment and emotional wellness as you meet and chat with peers who are also newly diagnosed. Friends and adult family members are welcome to attend. This program is free. Lunch provided.
New Hampshire
CogniFitness: Keeping the Mind Moving
Sat., June 11, 10:30a.m.-1:30p.m., Plymouth, NH
Up to 60% of people with MS experience cognitive changes in some form. Christine St. Laurent, MSN, RN, MSCN formerly of Sturdy Memorial MS Center in Attleboro, MA will discuss issues and engage you in small group practical activities. Learn exercises and strategies to help focus your attention, improve memory, planning, and problem solving skills. Topics: Attention skills, Memory Skills, Executive Skills. Advance registration is required. Adult with MS and 1 guest. All registrants must be 18 years. Lunch is provided.
Vermont
Self-Help Groups
Burlington, VT: Third Monday, 5- 6:30p.m., FAHC Fanny Allen Campus, Colchester. Contact: Laura, 802-598-8501, msgroupburlington@gmail.com. NEW!
St Albans, VT: Second Thursday, 11a.m.-12:30p.m., Northwest Medical Center, Contact: Sue, 802-524-4880, shtessier@comcast.net. NEW!
Northeast Kingdom (Newport, VT): First Wednesday, 9:30a.m.-noon, North Country Hosptial, Contact: Stella 802-766-0103, stellascrosati@hotmail.com. NEW!
Lebanon/Upper Valley, NH: Third Tuesday, 6-7:30p.m. Dartmouth Hitchcock. Contact: Susanna 603-448-9446.
Program Highlights
On May 6 and 7, twenty-three couples from all over New England joined together in Bar Harbor, ME to attend the Relationship Matters program. The program was facilitated by Dr. David Rintell. The full day workshop included sessions on communication, disagreements, creating “date nights,” and sex and intimacy. There was also the opportunity to split into two discussion groups: People with MS and Spouse/Partners. This session was a wonderful opportunity for both groups to share with each other. The weekend was emotional, educational, and fun – a winning combination! Couples left with great information, new friends, and connections.
My Life, My MS: The African-American Experience with MS was held on Saturday, May 14 at the William J. Devine/Franklin Park Golf Course in Dorchester, MA. Seventy people enjoyed presentations by Guy J. Buckle, MD, “What Does MS mean for Me? A look at the African-American MS population” and Amy Alaniz, MS,OT, “Practical Tips and Handy Hints for Living with MS.” Following a networking lunch the group engaged in roundtable discussions on cognition, travel and accessibility, exercise, relationships, and intimacy. Through these conversations, experiences and resources were shared with attendees coming from all over Massachusetts and even one family member from Brooklyn, New York.
Living Well with MS. This collaborative conference with the MS Clinic of NH was held at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH on Sunday, March 27. Ninety-eight attendees benefited from the interactive topic rooms in Nutrition, Stress Reduction, and Physical Wellness as well as the wellness fair exhibitors.
Dr. Ann Cabot presented current research and treatment options and Intimacy and Sexuality was discussed with MS Nurse Christine St. Laurent. Following lunch the group engaged in roundtable discussions around accessible travel, peer support, symptom management, cognition, and spirituality.