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Support Groups

Support Groups

Spring 2013
Starting week of April 8, 2013

The New York City - Southern New York Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers support groups for individuals living with MS, their families and caregivers. These groups are created to meet the needs of people with similar concerns.

All groups provide opportunities to discuss MS related concerns, experiences and resources. Groups are conducted by chapter-trained therapists. To participate in a group, you must be registered as a member of the chapter. Membership is free.

In-Person Groups
• Free of charge
• Meet for 90 minute sessions
• Locations throughout the five boroughs of New York City and the Southern New York area

Conference Call Groups
• Free of charge
• No special equipment needed
• One hour sessions
• Connect with others from the convenience of your home

NEW: Online Group!
We are now offering registration for a virtual-support community for people living with MS.
• Password protected
• Participate 24 hours, seven days a week
• Share your thoughts about your MS challenges and concerns
• Engage with your community
• Professional leader will regularly post responses, explore topics and share information

TO REGISTER
• Call 1-800-344-4867, option 1
• Se habla español, marque opción 3
• Visit supportgroups.MSnyc.org
• You may register for up to two conference call groups.
• There is no limit to sign up for in-person groups.
• Most weekly groups run for 12 weeks. Note some groups have other schedules, such as monthly.
• There will be some breaks for holidays.
• After you register, please await confirmation from your group leader about the details of joining your specific group and your exact start date.


Click on the links below for more information and to register.

 

 GROUPS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MS
 

Black Voices in Connection: for black people of all cultural backgrounds living with MS.
Available as In-person and Conference Call  

But You Look So Well: individuals living with MS whose symptoms are not easily observed by others.
Available as In-person in Manhattan on Mondays
7 - 8:30 p.m.

Café con Leche: grupo de apoyo y educación en español para personas viviendo con EM (mensual). Para inscribirse en este grupo llame al 1-800-344-4867, opción 3.
 
Coping with MS: a general support group for people with MS.
Available as an in-person group in Nyack, Rockland County Monthly, Tuesdays 6:15 – 7:45 p.m

Coping with MS in Sullivan County
NEW! Available in-person in Harris, Sullivan County Monthly, Tuesdays 6 – 7:30 p.m. (The Sullivan County group is open to people with MS and their family members.)

Cognitive Concerns: strategies to assist with cognitive concerns such as memory and concentration.
Available as Conference Call on Thursdays from 8:30- 9:30 p.m.
Creative Artists with MS: a forum for individuals to discuss the inter-relationship between art,music and/or writing and living with MS.
Available as Conference Call on Thursdays from 8- 9 p.m.                           

Diagnosed with Progressive MS: individuals diagnosed with primary or secondary progressive MS.
Available as Conference Call on Mondays from 3- 4 p.m.

Español: Viviendo con EM: un grupo semanal ofrecido por teléfono para aprender y recibir apoyo en su idioma. Grupo telefonico los miercoles 10 – 11 a.m.

Homebound: individuals living with MS who have reduced ability to leave their home.
Available as Conference Call on Mondays from 2- 3 pm.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or
Trans-gendered: living with MS.
Available as In-person and as Conference Call.


Living with MS: individuals with more visible MS symptoms.
Available as In-person and Conference Call

Living with Primary Progressive MS: monthly conference call group for individuals with primary progressive MS.
This group meets throughout the year.
Available as Conference Call monthly, Mondays from 1- 2 p.m.


Men's Concerns: men living with MS.
Available as Conference Call on Thursdays from 11:45 a.m.- 12:45 p.m


Moving Forward with MS: for people who are no longer new to their diagnosis , but have lived with MS for less than 10 years. Group members have manageable symptoms and function with minimal impairment.
Prerequisite: one semester of the Newly Diagnosed or a similar group.
Available as In-person in Manhattan on Tuesdays from 5:30- 7 p.m.

Newly Diagnosed Conference Call Group: a phone option for people diagnosed within the past two years is also available.
Available as Conference Call  Thursdays from 9 – 10 p.m.
Newly Diagnosed Introductory Group: one session introductory group offered in person monthly throughout the year for individuals diagnosed within the past two years. Family and friends are encouraged to attend. Call the chapter at 212-463-7787, Option 1 for the date of the next session and to register.


Newly Diagnosed Ongoing Group: meets weekly throughout the year for individuals diagnosed within the past two years, who have previously attended the introductory group.
Conference call group is also available.
Available as In-person in Manhattan on Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30 p.m.


Online Living with MS Group:
• Participate 24 hours, seven days a week
• Share your thoughts about your MS challenges and concerns
• Engage with your community
• Professional leader will regularly post responses, explore topics and share information


Orthodox Jewish Women: living with MS.
Available as Conference Call on Wednesdays from 8- 9 p.m.


Parenting: parents living with MS who have children 18 years old and younger.
Available as Conference call on Mondays from 7- 8 p.m.
 

*Professional Men Living with MS: bimonthly group for professional working men.
This group meets throughout the year.
Available as In-person bi-monthly in Manhattan on Tuesdays from
6- 7:30 p.m.
Relationships: individuals with MS experiencing significant difficulties in their relationships whether divorced, separated, or experiencing abuse.
Available as Conference Call on Tuesdays from
8 - 9 p.m.


Stress Management: practical strategies to reduce stress.
Available as Conference Call on Mondays from 8:30- 9:30 p.m.


Triumph and Tears: people living with MS for 10 years or more, interested in discussing in-depth feelings as well as day-to-day living.
Available as Conference Call on Thursdays from 12 - 1 p.m.

Twenties and Thirties Networking Group: monthly group for individuals 20 -39 years old living with MS.
This group meets throughout the year.
Available as In-person group monthly in Manhattan on Tuesdays from 6- 8 p.m.

During summer months of June/July/August, group will meet on a Wednesday from 6-8 p.m.
Women 40+: women living with MS between the ages of 40 and 59.
Available as In-person and Conference Call


GROUPS FOR FAMILY, CAREGIVERS OR PARTNERS

 

*Family/Caregivers:
spouses, significant others, parents, adult children, siblings and other family members and/or caregivers of persons living with MS.
Available as In-person and Conference Call
Spouses and Partners of Individuals Newly Diagnosed with MS: In person group designed to address questions and concerns of spouses and partners of individuals diagnosed with MS in the last 5 years.
Available as In-person monthly in Manhattan on Monday 6:30-8pm

 

Spouses/Partners Living with MS:
significant others of persons living with progressive MS
(spouses/partners only).
Available as In-person in Manhattan on Wednesdays 6 - 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 1- 2:30 p.m.
 
Coping with MS: a general support group for people with MS and their family members.

Coping with MS in Sullivan County
NEW! Available in-person in Harris, Sullivan County Monthly, Tuesdays 6 – 7:30 p.m.(The Sullivan County group is open to people with MS and their family members.

 

GROUPS FOR CHILDREN

*Children: between the ages of nine and fourteen who have a parent living with MS.
Available as Conference Call on Mondays 6-7 p.m.
 

 

*The noted groups are made possible through the generosity of The Manhattan Society.

Are you interested in a group that is not currently offered in a location near you or by conference call? Please let us know. E-mail us at info@msnyc.org. Or call 1-800-344-4867 and tell us your interest.

Would you like to attend a self help group? Self help groups meet once a month and provide opportunities to discuss MS related concerns, experiences and resources. Groups are conducted by chapter-trained volunteers living with MS. Click here for more information.
 

Would you like to talk to an individual peer counselor?
Peer counselors are people with MS who have been trained by the chapter to provide support and information individually on the phone. Click here for more information.