WINTER 2012 PROGRAMS & SERVICES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MERCY MS CENTER Since October 2010, the Northern California Chapter has partnered with the Mercy MS Center in Carmichael on a variety of programs to keep the Greater Sacramento region up-todate on information regarding MS. Dr. John Schafer, director of the Mercy MS Center, as well as Edie Happs, the Center’s MS Nurse, work closely with the area’s National MS Society staff to provide an educational series of programs that highlight topics of importance to those living with MS. While the programs have been provided quarterly for the last two years, starting in January they will take place bi-monthly. Irene Bean, who has attended many of the previous programs in the Mercy Educational Series, said “Every new thing that you learn, whether it talks about you today, or if it will be about you in the future, is important. Experts and professionals have different ways of looking at these topics, which is why I try to attend as many as I can.” Until this point, the programs took place at Mercy San Juan Medical Offices, but starting
in January the programs will alternate between the Mercy San Juan location in Carmichael and the Midtown location on Q Street. By alternating the location, hopefully a broader audience will be reached. The programs take place in the evening from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a light dinner provided at each program. For the upcoming year, the programs will cover topics including fatigue, cognition, and treatment options, each with specialized professionals discussing the topics and answering questions. ◊
SAVE THE DATE FOR 2013 REGIONAL TELECONFERENCES June 6, 2013 “Sleep Management” August 1, 2013 “Intimacy and Family Planning” Registration coming soon…
08 LOCAL PROGRAMS Free from Falls Join us for an 8-week interactive fall prevention series designed for people living with MS. Studies have shown that falls are quite common among people with MS. Through this course participants will: • Increase their awareness of the prevalence of falls and the risk factors that may contribute to falls. • Identify strategies to prevent falls and develop a fall prevention action plan. • Engage in and develop a home fitness plan that addresses balance, endurance, and strength aimed at reducing fall risk. • Increase their confidence in minimizing fall risk and managing falls if they occur. Each week’s two hour class will have a discussion and exercise component. The class will begin with an individual assessment to discover your current abilities and needs. You will work with physical and occupational therapists to increase your balance, stability, endurance, strength and confidence. You must be able to walk 10-15 steps unassisted or with one cane, walking stick, or crutch. An application and medical waiver are required. Please e-mail Zoe Edwards at zoe.edwards@nmss.org or 916- 927-9113 extension 75201 to receive your application.
MS Awareness Night at the Kings March 8th, Pre-game appetizers begin at
PROGRAMS & SERVICES WINTER 2012 5:30 p.m., Game begins at 7:00 p.m. Sleep Train Arena 1 Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA 95834 Join us as we cheer on the Kings against the Phoenix Suns and fill Sleep Train Arena with orange. We’ll begin the evening with appetizers and fun prizes in the arena’s private pre-game lounge. A portion of all ticket sales using our special link will go to the society. Please visit http://www.kingsticketsave.com/MSSNorcal. Scholarship is available. For questions contact Zoe at zoe.edwards@nmss.org or Heidi at Heidi.cser@nmss.org
Newly Diagnosed Orientation – Greater Sacramento February 7th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Mercy San Juan Medical Center 6555 Coyle Ave. Room 145 Carmichael, CA 95608 Are you newly diagnosed with MS? 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 Program Coordinator, Zoe Edwards, and Edie Happs, RN and Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse, to discover resources and get answers to some of your MS questions. To pre-register, please call 1-800-344-4867 or visit us online at www.nationalMSsociety.org/can.
REGISTER AT NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG/CAN | 1-800-344-4867 Online Newly Diagnosed Program January 10th & March 7th 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. This web-based program will be conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Crabtree, assistant clinical professor of neurology at UCSF and director of patient program development at UCSF’s MS Center. A phone and computer with internet access will be necessary to join this program. Pre-registration is not required.
Adaptive Strategies for Memory and Cognitive Challenges in MS January 8th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Mercy MS Center, Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Lukens Auditorium 6555 Coyle Ave., Carmichael, CA 95608 Cognition function is a significant challenge for people living with MS. Join the National MS Society as Dodie Newman, M.A., C.C.C. and Marty Mooney-Conkle, MS, C.C.C. discuss strategies to cope with cognitive difficulties caused by MS. This program can help you understand why MS changes your ability to process and retain information, as well as how you can accommodate yourself to be more effective. Dinner will be served. Preregistration is required. To register, please visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 1-800344-4867.
Options and Managing MS Treatment February 4th, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Enloe Rehabilitation 340 W. East Ave., Chico, CA 95926
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Learn more about breakthrough treatments on the horizon and what you need to consider before changing your treatment path. Dr. John Schafer, National MS Society board member and director of the Mercy MS Clinic, will speak at the Chico Self-Help Group to talk about treatment and answer questions about managing MS. To register, please visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 1-800-344-4867.
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
10 Consortium for Health Systems Development and provides training and consultation across the country on issues related to employment for people with disabilities.
SELF-HELP GROUPS BUTTE COUNTY • Chico - Amy: 530-863-7818, Tracy:
530-343-3623
EL DORADO COUNTY • Placerville - Doris: 530-622-5673
MS CONNECTION: WINTER 2012 SUTTER COUNTY • Yuba City - Evon: 530-701-2189
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CENTRAL VALLEY • • • •
NEVADA COUNTY
• Grass Valley - Phyllis: 530-432-3504
PLACER COUNTY
• Auburn - Ruth: 530-888-8388, Loren:
530-320-1711 • Lincoln - Marilyn: 916-434-6898
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
• Carmichael: Minimal Symptoms Group -
Peter: 916-989-1364 • Carmichael: Moving on with MS & MS Musings of the Mind Writing Group Annette: 916-715-4973, Irene 916-536-9116, Sylvia: 916-349-1324 • Elk Grove - Letitia: 916-896-7764, Dorothy: 916-684-6849, Willie: 916-684-1677 • Sacramento: MS Sisters (men welcome) Kim: 916-821-6133, Chelsea: 916-289-6543, Stephanie: 916-215-5356
SHASTA COUNTY
• HOPE 4 MS - Beth: 530-246-8404,
Patricia: 530-222-7277, Pat: 530-357-3585
SOLANO COUNTY
GREATER BAY AREA • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction:
January 10th • Balanced Living - Free Six-week Wellness Coaching Group: Beginning March 13th • Newly Diagnosed Program: February 6th
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
NORTH BAY AREA • Tasting Sonoma: March 19th • Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS: • • •
• Vacaville - Marian: 707-422-7515, Willie:
707-689-7814
Water Therapy Program: January 16th Town Hall Meeting: January 5th Newly Diagnosed Orientation: February 5th CogniFitness - Keeping the Mind Moving: March 13th, 20th & 27th
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April 9th Managing Fatigue in MS: February 9th Fighting MS Step by Step: January 12th Santa Rosa: Relationship Matters - 8-Hours to a Lifetime of Relationship Satisfaction: February 2nd and 3rd Newly Diagnosed Orientation: February 6th