Spring Wellness Symposium:
March 24, 2010
Keynote Topics
What is Wellness?
Patricia Kennedy, RN, CNP, MSCN
Can Do Multiple Sclerosis
Pat Kennedy, a nurse educator with Can Do MS (formerly The Heuga Center) will discuss the conventional medical approach to MS and how your eating, exercise and spirituality can add value to your doctor-prescribed treatment. She also will discuss how and why you should take care of your whole self, not just the part of you affected by MS.
Get Active for MS: Mind, Body and Spirit
National MS Society staff and volunteers
There are so many ways that getting involved in the MS movement can benefit your well-being. Challenge your mind as an MS advocate; meet new people and improve your community as a volunteer; or improve your physical condition by taking part in Walk MS or one of our other fun events.
Symposium Break-Out Sessions
Healthy Eating, Healthy You
Denise Nowack, RD
National MS Society, Southern California Chapter
Denise Nowack, a registered dietician, will discuss the relationship between your diet and your health. In addition to providing examples of good and bad nutrition, she’ll cover the effects of nutrition on fatigue and how to cook healthy meals without wearing yourself out.
Caregivers’ Forum
Peggy Crawford, PhD
National MS Society
MS takes a toll on caregivers, too, but you may rarely have a forum to discuss what you’re feeling. This session, led by a clinical psychologist, will be based entirely on the interests expressed by the audience. The workshop will provide a safe space for discussion by members of the group.
Empower Yourself with Exercise
Matt Sutliff, PT (Mellen Center for MS Research and Treatment)
Regular exercise is extremely important for people of every ability. Matt Sutliff, a physical therapist, will talk about the value of exercise in neuro-regeneration and for increasing strength and flexibility. He’ll give examples of exercises that can be modified for any ability level, and participants will leave with standing and seated exercises they can try in their own homes.
Inward Paths to Wellness: MS as a Spiritual Journey
Carolyn Roberts, PhD, MFT
For many people, the diagnosis of MS is a crisis, with dangers as well as opportunities for greater awareness of our spiritual journeys. Carolyn Roberts will discuss how spirituality can provide benefits as part of a wellness program. She also will describe the stages of the spiritual journey of living with MS and spiritual practices for resiliency.