WINTER 2012 PROGRAMS & SERVICES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
NEW POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE NORTH COAST Ann Johnson began working as the North Coast area’s Community Development Manager this past summer, working to strengthen the local MS community. While she is new to the area, Ann has worked with the Northern California Chapter for five years in our Sacramento region. Ann has a strong background in developing programs and provides oneon-one service in the areas of employment, benefits and housing. Ann’s experience has been consistently committed to improve access, quality of life, and community inclusion to support people with disabilities for 20 years and brings a passion for service to our chapter members. “I find that people living with multiple
sclerosis often face a wide spectrum of challenges that are as unpredictable as the disease itself. This is the number one reason why we need to work together to develop solid community connections that understand and service people with multiple sclerosis. As we create more opportunities to strengthen our MS community we can bridge the gap of isolation in the MS experience.” We hope you find a program or community event that will inspire you to come out and meet Ann, as your new North Coast point of contact. To reach Ann directly, call 1-800-344-4867, option 2, extension 75207 or e-mail her at Ann.Johnson@nmss.org.
MS AWARENESS EVENTS Sonoma: Tasting Sonoma! March 19th Ramekins Culinary Center, 450 W. Spain St. Tasting Sonoma! A Showcase of The Wine Country’s Top Chefs features a seven course tasting menu and promises to offer culinary delights, fine wines and fun! Guests will vote on their favorite dishes and choose the Tasting Sonoma! Chef of the Year. 100% of the net proceeds will benefit the chapter. Visit www.tastingsonoma2013.com for more information.
Petaluma: Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS! April 9th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Lagunitas Brewing Company 1280 North McDowell Blvd.
08 Lagunitas Brewing Company has joined the movement for a world free of MS by donating 100% of the beer proceeds to the National MS Society for this one night. We will have an appetizer buffet and feature Chicago Blues Recording Artist Steve Fruend and his Blues Trio. Purchase tickets at the door or online at http://can.nationalmssociety.org. Santa Rosa Walk MS Team Captains who have the most ticket sales in support of their team will win the night’s beer proceeds towards their team’s fundraising!
Mendocino: Managing Fatigue in MS February 9th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mendocino Coast District Hospital Redwoods Room 700 River Drive, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Being able to successfully manage your fatigue is an accomplishment when you have MS. Cognition, balance and quality of life are affected when fatigue is a chronic challenge. Find out what steps you can take to proactively deal with this significant MS condition. Dr. Gail Widener is an Associate Professor at Samuel Merritt University’s physical therapy program and has served on the Chapter’s Clinical Advisory Committee since 1999. She received a PhD in Physiology with a focus in neuroscience and has a strong interest in balance issues that impact people with MS. Her experience brings practical solutions for people living with MS that can help improve life quality. Please register by February 8 by calling 1-800-344-4867 or online at http://can.nationalmssociety.org.
PROGRAMS & SERVICES WINTER 2012 Santa Rosa: Fighting MS Step by Step January 12th, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Santa Rosa Community Center 2060 West College Ave. As we approach Walk MS in April, it is a time to celebrate the progress of research and the impact of individuals joining the movement. In 2012, the Society spent $44 million to support 350 research projects around the world. Since its founding in 1946, the Society has spent over $761 million to advance MS research. Dr. Waubant is currently an Associate Professor in Neurology at the UCSF MS Center. She is also the Nancy Davis Medical Director, and heads a collaboration between six American MS Centers recognized as Centers of Excellence. Dr. Waubant will share exciting new research and what is changing for those living with MS.
SANTA ROSA: RELATIONSHIP MATTERS 8-Hours to a Lifetime of Relationship Satisfaction February 2nd and 3rd Having a healthy relationship is hard work even in the best of times. MS can make it even harder. When you know how to take charge as a couple, MS doesn’t have to rule your relationship. This program can help you strengthen your partnership and minimize the impact of MS on your life. The workshop is open to any couple in a committed relationship, regardless of marital status. Through interactive group activities, you’ll learn and apply skills to deal with common relationship challenges. Program fee includes
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REGISTER AT NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG/CAN | 1-800-344-4867 the 8-hour Relationship Matters program, overnight stay and meals per couple. Preregister at 1-800-344-4867 or sign up online at http://can.nationalmssociety.org by January 18, 2013.
NEWLY DIAGNOSED ORIENTATION February 6th, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Santa Rosa Community Center, Cypress Rm. 2060 West College Ave. Are you newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. This informative program will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed, as well as family and friends who want to learn more. Join National MS Society Community Development Manager, Ann Johnson to discover resources and get answers to some of your MS questions. Please register by February 5 by calling 1-800-344-4867 or through our online program and services calendar at http://can.nationalmssociety.org.
REGIONAL TELECONFERENCES
Join us from the comfort of your own home for these informative conference calls on living with MS. These educational programs are free and made available through chapters in the West Region of the National MS Society. To register for these teleconferences, please call 1-800-344-4867 and press 1.
“Complementary and Alternative Medicine and MS”
Februrary 7th, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. In the US today approximately 75% of people with MS use one form or another of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), generally in combination with their prescribed MS treatments. Dr. Allen Bowling will discuss some of the options and lifestyle choices to consider when looking at CAM.
“Important Decisions about Employment Benefits when Living with MS” April 4th, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Join us for an informative discussion on the impact of employment on public and private benefit systems. Joe Entwisle, MS, CLCP, is a Senior Policy Analyst for the National Consortium for Health Systems Development and provides training and consultation across the country on issues related to employment for people with disabilities.
SAVE THE DATE FOR 2013 REGIONAL TELECONFERENCES June 6, 2013 “Sleep Management” August 1, 2013 “Intimacy and Family Planning” Registration coming soon…
10 SELF-HELP GROUPS HUMBOLDT COUNTY • Eureka
Ann Louise: 707-839-0177 Kim: 707-445-9803
MARIN COUNTY • Corte Madera (does not meet in July &
August) Vicki: 415-892-7370 Anita: 415-892-5548
MENDOCINO • Fort Bragg
Alice: 707-964-7850
SONOMA COUNTY • Santa Rosa
Susan: 707-544-9654 Debbie: 707-548-8437
• Windsor
Kate: 707-433-9194 Becky: 707-303-5207
MS CONNECTION: WINTER 2012
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY • Water Therapy Program: Tuesdays and
Thursdays beginning January 16th • Town Hall Meeting: January 5th • Newly Diagnosed Orientation: February 5th • CogniFitness - Keeping the Mind Moving: March 13, 20 & 27
GREATER BAY AREA • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction:
Thursdays, January 10th - February 28th • Balanced Living - Free Six-week Wellness Coaching Group: Beginning March 13th • Newly Diagnosed Program: February 6th
GREATER SACRAMENTO • Free from Falls: TBD • MS Awareness Night at the Kings: March
8th • Newly Diagnosed Orientation- Greater Sacramento: February 7th • Adaptive Strategies for Memory and Cognitive Challenges in MS: January 8th • Options and Managing MS Treatment: February 4th
SOUTH BAY AREA • Newly Diagnosed Orientation- Santa
Clara: February 4th • Living Well with MS: Moving Forward after an MS Diagnosis: March 22nd • Social Activity- Monterey: February TBD