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EmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsisaninformationalnewsletterprovidedbytheMultipleSclerosisFoundation.ItspurposeistorecognizethevitalroleofsupportgroupsinmotivatingeducatingandempoweringallthosewhoselivesareaffectedbyMS.Freesubscriptionsareavailableuponrequest.VolumeXIIIIssue3Fall2014TheMSFdoesnotadvocateorendorseanyspecifictreatmentshealingmodalitiesorpractitioners.Thematerialpresentedinthispublicationisforinformationalpurposesonly.Forspecificadviceconsultyourhealthcareprovider.DearFriendsWhilesupportgroupmeetingsarecertainlyaboutsharingyourMSexperiencesinaneducationalfunandpositivesettingthatdoesntmeanthatthatsallthereistothemSupportgroupsaffiliatedwiththeMultipleSclerosisFoundationIndependentSupportGroupNetworkareencouragedtoengageinactivitiesgoonoutingshaveadventuresthrowpartiesexplorenewsurroundingsandcelebratethedaytogetherinavarietyofways.Wehopeyoullfindsomeoftheexampleswithinthesepagesinspiringandmaybeeventrytoorganizesomethingsimilarinthecomingmonths.RemembertheMSFisheretoassistyoursupportgroupinanywaywecanandthatincludeshelpingtomakespecialgroupeventsandtripsarealityWiththeapproachoftheholidayseasonIhopeyoullremembertopracticeself-care.Althoughtheholidaysareatimetogathercelebrateandenjoytimewithlovedonestheyoftenentailstressexhaustionanddifficultsituationsaswell.Prioritizethetasksathandsetreasonableexpectationscommunicateyourwantsandneedswithyourfamilyandaskforhelpwhenyouneedit.ReachouttoyoursupportgroupmembersfortipsandtricksfornotonlysurvivingtheholidaysbutalsoenjoyingthemRememberthereisnosinglerightwaytocelebratetheholidaysallowyourselftocreateyourownrightwayofdoingso.AllofusattheMultipleSclerosisFoundationwishyouaholidayseasonfilledwithpositivityjoyandkindness.SincerelyAlissaAydenNLetterFromtheCoordinatorNTenYearsTogetherHopeandFaithofDearbornNSeattlePrideFestLGBTQMSConnectionNDayattheCreamerySMyelininWestChesterNOutandAboutSt.AugustineNNameOurNewsletterContestWinnersNSupportGroupTipInterestingFactsNCruiseWiththeMSFin2015MULTIPLESCLEROSISFOUNDATIONSUPPORTGROUPNEWSInThisIssue6520N.AndrewsAve.Ft.LauderdaleFL33309888-MSFOCUS673-6287supportmsfocus.org 2DearbornMichiganisaquietrespiteoutsidethehustleandbustleofdowntownDetroit.Neatgrassyareaslinetheroadstreesstretchtowardtheskyandfamiliarrestaurantsandstoresappearonalmosteverycorner.AlissaAydentheMSFsSupportGroupCoordinatordrivesthroughthecityonawarmsummereveningtomeetHopeandFaithofDearbornssupportgroupleadershipteamatalocalBobEvansfordinner.Thesupportgroupleadersareseatedatatableinthebackoftherestaurant.AfterexchangingwarmgreetingsandsmilestheleadersquicklybegintofillAlissainontheircollectivehistory.Ittook28yearsforSupportGroupLeaderKathyTromblaytobediagnosedwithMS.Afteryearsofstruggleanduncertaintyshewasinherwordsaveryangryperson.AsaresultwhenKathymetSupportGroupCo-LeaderNancyBowerforthefirsttimethingsdidntbeginsosmoothly.KathyrecountswithalaughthewayshebombardedNancywithrantsandcomplaintswhileNancypatientlylis-tenedwithoutjudgmentorcomment.WhenKathyfinallypausedtotakeabreathNancylookedatherandsaidKathyIhaveMStoo.KathysaysWhenNancysaidthosewordsshestoppedmeinmytracksandshutmeup.KathyspokewithNancyaboutherdesiretotakehernegativeexperiencesandturnthemintosomethingpositivespecificallyafunandupliftingMSsupportgroup.Kathywantedtodowhatshecouldtoensurethatotherpeopledidnthavetosufferthewayshedidforalmostthreedecades.NancyfoundthegroupsfirstmeetinglocationinRomulusMich.wheretheycontinuedtomeetforfiveyears.ItseasytoseewhyKathygravitatedtowardNancy.Hertranquilandkindhearteddemeanorisapparentassoonasshebeginstospeak.Almostasanasideshewarmlymentionsthefactthatshetalksalittlefunnybecauseshessurvivedoralcancertwice.Shesthekindofpersonwhosepresencejustmakesyoufeelcomfortable.SupportGroupCo-LeaderCelesteMarkeyistheyoungestmemberoftheleadershipteam.Shewasdiagnosedthedaybeforeherthirteenthbirthday.AtthetimeshedidntknowanyonewithMSanddidnthaveanypeerstosupporther.CelestehadtodealwithherMSalonesurroundedbyadultswhodidntunderstandTenYearsofFunLaughterandSupportHopeandFaithofDearbornMSSupportGroupDearbornMich. whatshewasgoingthrough.AsanadultsheworkedintheautomotiveindustryuntilherMScausedhertoloseherjob.Shelosthervisionandherdriverslicenseandfeltherindependenceslippingaway.SometimepassedbeforeCelestefinallybegantoseelightattheendofalonganddifficulttunnel.Shebegantakingadisease-modifyingtherapythatreallyworkedwellforher.AsaresultshegotherlifeandherdriverslicensebackKathyshareswithachuckleCelestescuttingdowntreesnowforGodssakeCelesteandKathyhaveknowneachotherfor10yearsandfirstmetwhentheywerebothhookeduptoIVsataninfusionclinic.KathyheardCelestesmothermentionbirdsoneofKathysfavoriteanimalsatthetime.KathybeganchattingtoCelesteandCelestesharedthatshetrulywantedanAfricangreyparrotmorethananythingelseintheworld.Kathypromisedhershedgetone.WithintwoweeksCelestehadherAfricangreybyherside.KathysharesthatsheslearnedsomuchfromCelesteandsimplystatesShesjustsobrave.KathyjokesthataftertheysecuredthefirstsupportgroupmeetinglocationshecalledCelesteandtoldherIvestartedasupportgroupandImdraggingyourbuttwithmeWhilewatchingCelesteinactionatagroupmeetinghoweveritbecomesclearthatthereprobablywasntmuchdragginginvolved.Celesteisanaturalshebrisklymovesabouttheroomsettingupandgreetingeveryonethatenterswithasmile.PhyllisLogsdonaneweradditiontotheteamassiststhegroupleadersinwhateverwaysshecan.SheandKathymetatapharmaceuticalcompanyeventwhenasKathydescribesTheytriedtosqueezemeandmybigheinieintoatinyspotinthecornerandImanagedtoknockdowntheChristmastreeinfrontofeveryoneintheroom.KathysgrandentranceledhertomeetPhyllisandshesbeenanimportantpartofthegroupeversince.Atthegroupsmostrecentmeetingthereweremorethan60peopleinattendance.HoweverKathynotesIwantothergroupleaderstoknowthatitdoesnthappenovernightandtonotgetdiscouraged.SometimesCelesteandIwouldbesittingandeatingpizzabyourselvesbecausenobodyelseshowedupKathyalsoacknowledgestheimportanceoftheMultipleSclerosisFoundationssupportwhichbeganwithHelenManganalmostfiveyearsago.Kathysharesthatanoutpouringofsupportfromalldifferentavenuesandpeoplehasbeenabsolutelyintegraltothecontinuedgrowthandsuccessofthegroup.KathyshusbandGeneisafixtureateverymeetingluggingsuppliesbackandforthmovingtablesandkeepingthingsinorder.Kathys15-year-oldgrandsonJimmyalsoattendsandhelpsoutatmeetingswheneverhesofffromschool.Groupmembersalsocontinuallypitchintohelpeachotherandthegroup.Whenagroupmemberstransportationwaslateothermemberswaitedwithherforanhourjusttomakesureshewasokay.Differentmembersstepupeachmonthtodonateanitemforafreeraffletobringalittleextraexcitementtomeetings.Kathysharesthatnewmembersareoftenblownawaybecausetheyexpectapitypartybutinsteadgetabouncybubblygroupoffun-lovingpeople.Mostimportantlythesupportgrouphasbecomemuchmorethanjustamonthlymeetingofacquaintances.KathysaysWerenotjustpeopleatthemonthlysupportgroupyougotobecauseyouhaveMSwerefamily.TheHopeandFaithofDearbornMSSupportGroupmeetsfrom13p.m.onthelastFridayofeachmonthattheFordCommunityandPerformingArtsCenter15801MichiganAve.DearbornMI48126.PleasecontactKathyat313-908-7485orkathytromblayyahoo.comNancyat313-982-7674orCelesteat313-410-7518orcmarkegmail.comformoreinformation.3 MSAwarenessatSeattlePrideFestLGBTQMSConnectionSupportGroupSeattleWash.Multiplesclerosisdoesntdiscriminate.ItaffectspeoplefromallwalksoflifemakingtheMScommunityavibrantanddiversegroupofpeoplewithuniqueexperiencesandneeds.RecognizingtheneedforasafespacefortheLesbianGayBisexualTransgenderQuestioningLGBTQMScommunitytogathertheLGBTQMSConnectionSupportGroupwasestablishedin2007.SupportGroupLeaderShellyHenry-SharpexplainsTomyknowledgeourgroupwasthefirstofitskindintheU.S.tomeetonaregularongoingbasis.Aftersevenyearsthegroupisstillgoingstrongandisgladtoseethatsimilargroupshaveformedthroughoutthecountryovertheyears.ThispastsummertheLGBTQMSConnectionSupportGroupattendedthe2014SeattlePrideFestCapitolHillwhichconsistedofmorethan150boothslivemusicastreetfairvendorsofallkindsandavarietyofactivitiesforthewholefamilytoenjoy.AlthoughtheLGBTQcommunityinSeattleislargeShellyreportsthatithastraditionallybeenunderserved.WiththeirpresenceatPrideFestthisyearthegrouphopedtohelpfillthatvoidbyprovidingtheLGBTQcommunitywithmuchneededinformationeducationandsupport.ShellyfurtherexplainstheirparticipationintheeventSeattleiscelebrating40yearsofprideandwewereexcitedtobeincludedintheannualFestwhichhadnearly30000attendeesthisyear.Weestimatethatnearly400peoplestoppedbyourboothtovisitandchatandacouplehundredotherstookpamphletsandotherinformation.WhilesomepeoplestoppedbyoutofsheercuriosityShellynotesthatmanystoppedbybecausetheyhaveafriendfamilymemberorneighborwithMS.MSseemstohavetouchednearlyeveryoneinsomewayshesays.EventhoughShellyhasbeenactiveintheLGBTQMScommunityinSeattleforyearsitnevergetseasyhearingfromthosewhohavebeendealingwiththeirMSalonewithneithertherightinformationnorthepropercare.ShesharesItwasstartlingtohearfrompeoplewithMSwhohadneverhadanytreatmentandhadnoideawheretogoorwhotosee.TheirexperienceswithdiscriminationfromthemedicalcommunityandothermainstreamMSgroupstaughtthemtojustlivequietlywiththeirMSwithnosupportandinsomecasesnotreatment.WewereabletoofferalistofqualityMSphysiciansandalternativecareprovidersintheareawhoare4 ADeliciousDayattheCreamerySmyelininWestChesterMSSupportGroupWestChesterPa.WiththeMSFsassistanceSmyelininWestChesterMSSupportGroupmembersgatheredatalocalcreameryanddairyfarmtoenjoyhomemadeicecreamandafarmtouraspartofagroupbirthdaycelebration.TheMSFdonatedcoolingnecktiesforafreeraffleandwouldliketoextendourcongratulationstotheluckywinnersLindaMarieAlissonPeggyandVickyTheSmyelininWestChesterMSSupportGroupusuallymeetsat1p.m.onthefirstWednesdayofeachmonthatACACFitnessWellnessCenter1130McDermottDriveWestChesterPA19380.PleasecontactBarbaraat610-359-0926orJoanatrochallwynmsn.comformoreinformation.supportiveoftheLGBTQcommunityaswellasinformationaboutvirtuallyeveryMScenterinwesternWashington.WiththegreatsupportwehavereceivedfromtheMultipleSclerosisFoundationwehadinformationoneverysubjectavailabletohandtoourguests.AttendanceateventslikePrideFestputsthegrouponestepclosertoachievingtheirultimategoalofhelpingandsupportingasmanymembersoftheLGBTQMScommunityaspossible.ShellysharesIcannotthanktheMSFenoughfortheirunwaveringsupportofourgroup.StartingwaybackwithconversationswithHelenMangantothepresentdaywithAlissaAydenourfighttoassisteveryoneinourcommunityineverywaypossibleisbecomingareality.TheLGBTQMSConnectionSupportGroupmeetsfrom6308p.m.onthesecondandfourthTuesdaysofeachmonthattheSwedishMedicalCenterCherryHillCampusEducationCenterRoomE55017thAve.SeattleWA98122.PleasecontactShellyat425-481-2667orLGBTMSConnectiongmail.comformoreinformation.NameOurNewsletterContestWinnersYouveprobablynoticedournewnewsletternameandheadingdesign.CongratulationstoourNameOurNewsletterContestwinnersandluckyrecipientsof50giftcardsOurnewnamewasinspiredbysubmissionsfromRaymondCharpentierofWindsorConn.andLindaGettleofLebanonPa.AgreatbigthankyoutoallofourcreativeparticipantsYoursubmissionshelpedusselectagreatnewnameforSupportGroupNews.Wecouldnthavedoneitwithoutallofyou5EmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsisaninformationalnewsletterprovidedbytheMultipleSclerosisFoundation.ItspurposeistorecognizethevitalroleofsupportgroupsinmotivatingeducatingandempoweringallthosewhoselivesareaffectedbyMS.Freesubscriptionsareavailableuponrequest.VolumeXIIIIssue3Fall2014TheMSFdoesnotadvocateorendorseanyspecifictreatmentshealingmodalitiesorpractitioners.Thematerialpresentedinthispublicationisforinformationalpurposesonly.Forspecificadviceconsultyourhealthcareprovider.DearFriendsWhilesupportgroupmeetingsarecertainlyaboutsharingyourMSexperiencesinaneducationalfunandpositivesettingthatdoesntmeanthatthatsallthereistothemSupportgroupsaffiliatedwiththeMultipleSclerosisFoundationIndependentSupportGroupNetworkareencouragedtoengageinactivitiesgoonoutingshaveadventuresthrowpartiesexplorenewsurroundingsandcelebratethedaytogetherinavarietyofways.Wehopeyoullfindsomeoftheexampleswithinthesepagesinspiringandmaybeeventrytoorganizesomethingsimilarinthecomingmonths.RemembertheMSFisheretoassistyoursupportgroupinanywaywecanandthatincludeshelpingtomakespecialgroupeventsandtripsarealityWiththeapproachoftheholidayseasonIhopeyoullremembertopracticeself-care.Althoughtheholidaysareatimetogathercelebrateandenjoytimewithlovedonestheyoftenentailstressexhaustionanddifficultsituationsaswell.Prioritizethetasksathandsetreasonableexpectationscommunicateyourwantsandneedswithyourfamilyandaskforhelpwhenyouneedit.ReachouttoyoursupportgroupmembersfortipsandtricksfornotonlysurvivingtheholidaysbutalsoenjoyingthemRememberthereisnoonerightwaytocelebratetheholidaysallowyourselftocreateyourownrightwayofdoingso.AllofusattheMultipleSclerosisFoundationwishyouaholidayseasonfilledwithpositivityjoyandkindness.SincerelyAlissaAydenNLetterFromtheCoordinatorNTenYearsTogetherHopeandFaithofDearbornNSeattlePrideFestLGBTQMSConnectionNDayattheCreamerySMyelininWestChesterNOutandAboutSt.AugustineNNameOurNewsletterContestWinnerNInterestingFactsSupportGroupTipNCruisewiththeMSFin2015MULTIPLESCLEROSISFOUNDATIONSUPPORTGROUPNEWSInThisIssue6520N.AndrewsAvenueFt.LauderdaleFL33309888-MSFOCUS673-6287supportmsfocus.org NextthegroupmetupatFlaglerCollegeforatourofthehistoricHotelPoncedeLeonbuiltbyindustrialistHenryFlaglerin1888.SusanelaboratesWewereshownthegorgeousTiffanyglassdiningroomandtoldthelifestoryofHenryFlagler.AftertheirexplorationofFloridahistoryandthearchitecturalwondergroupmembersenjoyedawonderfullunchacrossthestreetatthehistoricCasaMonicaHotel.HerestofutureadventuresSupportGroupLeaderSusanStonewritesWehadaprettyfunsummerthankstotheMSFFirstthegrouptookatriptoPuddyMudapaint-your-ownpotteryandartstudiotoexercisetheircreativesidesinafunandlaidbacksetting.Thesupportgroupmemberspaintedavarietyofitemsincludingageckostatuebowlheart-shapedboxmugandcupcakebank.OutandAboutTownSt.AugustineMSSupportGroupSt.AugustineFla.lefttorightMelissaSusanE.FrancineandSusanS.proudlyshowofftheircreativepieces.lefttorightJohmarisTheredaSusanS.MelissaAnnettefrontMaryandRobertoutsideFlaglerCollege.TheSt.AugustineMSSupportGroupmeetsfrom6730p.m.onthefourthTuesdayofeachmonthattheSt.JohnsCountyPublicLibraryAnastasiaBranch124SeagroveMainSt.St.AugustineFL32080.PleasecontactSusanat904-377-3231ormsbanshee6987yahoo.comformoreinformation.6 SupportGroupLeaderMarthaHanniganusesinterestingfactsfromNationalGeographicasafunandengagingwayforherandhersupportgroupmemberstoexercisetheirbrains.Marthaprintsoutanumberoffactscutsthemupintosinglepiecesandputstheminapileatthesign-intable.Eachmembertakesafactasheorsheentersthemeetingroom.Duringthelast30minutesofthemeetingeachmemberreadshisorherfactaloud.Membersarethentaskedwithrepeatingasmanyfactsastheycanrecall.Thepersonthatremembersthemostfactsisdeclaredthewinner.Martharecommendslookingonlineforzanyfactsofallsorts.DidyouknowYoutakeabout25000breathseveryday.DaysarelongerthanyearsontheplanetMercury.Thelongestrecordedflightofachickenis13seconds.Thereareabout70lakesunderAntarctica.NowflipthisnewsletteroverandseehowmanyofthoseyourememberTheCapeCoralMSSupportGroupmeetsfrom3430p.m.onthefirstSundayofeachmonthatCapeCoralHospitalConferenceRoomA636DelPradoBlvd.SouthCapeCoralFL33990.PleasecontactMarthaat239-939-3980orcapecoralmsgroupgmail.comorcontactDavidat239-652-3602orlanenikkencomcast.netformoreinformation.NewAmazingPortsandProgramsCruisewiththeMSFin2015Theearlybirdgetsthebestchoiceofstateroombookearlytoassureastateroomofyourchoiceonthe2015MSFCruiseforaCauseaseven-nightexoticcruisedepartingfromSanJuanPuertoRicoonFeb.12015.WhyexoticJustlookattheamazingplacesweplanonvisitingSanJuanPuertoRicoCharlotteAmalieSt.ThomasBassetterreSt.KittsOranjestadArubaandWillemstadCuracao.TolearnmoreaboutwhatyoumightseewhiletravelingtotheseexoticdestinationsvisittheMSFwebsiteatwww.msfocus.orgCruise-for-a-Cause.aspx.Whileyouretheredontforgettoleaveyouremailaddresssowecanupdateyouoncruisenews.Ratesstartat599perpersonexcludinggovernmentfeesandgratuitiesbasedondoubleoccupancy.TomakeareservationcontactGabrielaAragonbycalling800-659-0081or954-322-1030oremailgabrielaaragontravel.com.InordertoparticipateintheMultipleSclerosisFoundationsprogramaboardtheshipyourstateroommustbebookedthroughtheMSFattheabovenumbers.FormoreinformationcontacttheMultipleSclerosisFoundationat800-225-6495orcruisemsfocus.org.PricessubjecttochangebaseduponavailabilityTryThisSupportGroupMeetingTipCourtesyofCapeCoralMSSupportGroupCapeCoralFla.7 6520NorthAndrewsAvenueFt.LauderdaleFL33309-2132NonProfitOrg.U.S.PostagePAIDFt.Laud.FLPermitNo.2698ChangeServiceRequestedContactAlissaAydentostartyourownsupportgroupORsubmityourquestionscommentspicturesorarticlesMailMSFAttnSupportGroups6520N.AndrewsAve.FortLauderdaleFL33309Emailalissamsfocus.orgPhone888-MSFOCUS673-6287LendingLibraryWhetheryouarelookingforcaregivingresourcesanaudiobookarelaxationtapeexercisevideooraguidetoalternativetherapiesforMScontacttheMSFLendingLibraryatEmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsissponsoredinpartwithsupportfromFreeSubscriptionTosubscribetoEmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsgototheMSFwebsitewww.msfocus.orgclickSubscriptionsPeriodicalsandfillouttheformorcontactProgramServicesatWEWANTTOHEARFROMYOUPhone888-MSFOCUS673-6287orgototheMSFwebsitewww.msfocus.org