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EmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsisaninformationalnewsletterprovidedbytheMultipleSclerosisFoundation.ItspurposeistorecognizethevitalroleofsupportgroupsinmotivatingeducatingandempoweringallthosewhoselivesareaffectedbyMS.Freesubscriptionsareavailableuponrequest.VolumeXIVIssue1Winter2015TheMSFdoesnotadvocateorendorseanyspecifictreatmentshealingmodalitiesorpractitioners.Thematerialpresentedinthispublicationisforinformationalpurposesonly.Forspecificadviceconsultyourhealthcareprovider.DearFriendsAnewyearisuponusAsyoureflectonthepastyearIencourageyoutofocusoncelebratingallofyourvictoriesnomatterhowsmalltheymayseem.SometimesitcanbetemptingtocompareyourlifetothatofothersortowhatitwaslikebeforeMS.Howeveryourlifeisyourownandshouldonlybemeasuredagainstitself.Ifyouwereabletowashallofthedisheswithoutfeelingincrediblyfatiguedcel-ebrateitIfyouwereabletogoforawalkandenjoysomefreshaircelebrateitYouhavethepowertolivethebestlifepossiblegivenyourabilitiesandlimitations.ItcertainlytakescourageanddeterminationbutItrulybelievethateachandeveryoneofusiscapableofdoingso.Ialsoencourageyoutomakealistofthingsyoucandotomake2015abetteryear.Lookingbackon2014didyoulaughenoughPraiseyourselfenoughSpendenoughtimewiththoseyouloveShareallofyourconcernswithyourdoctorPracticegratitudeenoughExerciseenoughFormostofustheresalwaysroomforimprovementandthatissomethingtocelebratetoo.Itmeansthatwearethinkingdeeplyaboutandactivelyengagingwithourlives.Oneofthemostbeautifulthingsaboutbeinghumanisthatwehavethecapacitytogrowandchangeovertimeforthebetter.Inthisissueyoullreadaboutself-defensetrainingforpeoplewithMSanexampleofandtipsforsuccessfulcommunityoutreachtoraiseawarenessaboutMSandMSresourcegathering.WevealsosharedsomefunnythoughtsonNewYearsresolutionsandannouncedourlatestcontest.WelookforwardtoreceivingyourentriesIwishallofyouabrightandhopeful2015fullofpossibility.SincerelyAlissaAydenNLetterFromtheManagerNReachingOutinThorntonNorthAreaMSSocialGroupNCommunityOutreachHintsNSelf-DefenseforMSMSingAroundSupportGroupNSpottheSnowmenContestNNewYearsResolutionsNSupportGroupTipWantaghMSSupportGroupMULTIPLESCLEROSISFOUNDATIONSUPPORTGROUPNEWSInThisIssue6520N.AndrewsAve.Ft.LauderdaleFL33309888-MSFOCUS673-6287supportmsfocus.org EachyeartheresidentsofThorntongatherforHarvestFestacommunityfestivalattheparkfeaturingvariousboothsandvendors.SupportGroupLeaderSusieSilverthoughtthatthefestwouldprovidetheperfectopportunitytoraiseawarenessaboutMSwhilesimultaneouslyadvertisingtheexistenceofherMSsupportgroup.WiththeassistanceoftheMSFSusiewasmorethanabletoachievehergoals.Sheandhergroupmembersdeckedouttheirboothinfallfoliagetodrawattentionandimpartasenseofmerrimentuponthedaysevents.TheyhandedoutnumerousMSFmaterialssuchasinformationalbookletsfactsheetswristbandsandpens.SusiesharedthatMSFsSymptomGuideforLawEnforcementandFirstRespondersprovedpopular.WhenvariousemergencymedicalrespondersstoppedbythegroupsboothSusiewasabletoeducatethemaboutMSandinturnshereceivedvariousmaterialsforhergroupmembersaspartoftheFileofLifeprogramwhichallowsyoutodocumentyourmedicalhistorymedicationsandemergencycontactin-formationonarefrigeratormagnetforusebyfirstrespondersintheeventofamedicalemergency.AsvisitorsstreamedbythebooththroughoutthedaySusiewassurprisedbytheamountofpeoplewhowereconnectedtoMSinsomeway.AlotofpeoplementionedthattheyknewsomeonewithMS.Otherswerejustcurioustolearnmoreaboutthediseaseshesaid.SusiealsometsomenewpeoplewithMSinhercommunitywhichreinforcedhowimportantsupportgroupsareforsharingMSinformation.ItwasshockingtofindpeoplewithMSthatdidntknowaboutavailableresourcesthroughthenationalMSorganizationsandlocalproviderslikewedoshesaid.Susiemadesurethateveryonewalkedawaywithabunchofhelpfulinformationandaflyeradvertisingthenextsupportgroupmeeting.ThemostinterestingthingthegroupdidatHarvestFestwascreateExperienceMSSymptomsstationsthroughwhichpeoplecouldlearnaboutwhatitisliketohaveMSinanengagingandtactileway.HerearethestationsthatSusiecreatedRawelbowmacaroniwasavailabletobeplacedinsidevisitorsshoestosimulateacommonMSsymptomtinglingsensationsinthefeet.Visitorsweretaskedwithwalkingaroundandthinkingaboutwhatitwouldbeliketoexperiencethesesensationsthroughoutthedaywhentryingtogoabouttheirdailyroutines.Tosimulatefootdropandgaitissuesvisitorsweregivenswimmingflippersandaskedtowalkaround.WristandankleweightsreplicatedthefeelingofheavylimbsandfatigueexperiencedbymanypeoplewithMS.No-gripgardenglovesandsomemagazinesprovidedaneffectivewayforvisitorstogetafeelfornumbnessinthefingertips.SusiesharedReachingOuttotheThorntonCommunityNorthAreaMSSocialGroupNorthglennColo.2 thattryingtoflipthepagesofamagazineasimpletaskmostpeopletakeforgrantedbecomesverydifficultwhenwearingglovesthatpreventyoufromfeelingyourownfingertips.OldsunglassessmotheredinVaselineillustratedblurredvisioneffectively.Toaddabitmorefunandengagementaminiaturegolfputtinggreenwassetupandkidswerechallengedtohitaholeinonewhilewearingthespecialglasses.SusieandhergroupwereabletoeducatetheircommunityaboutMSmakenewconnectionswithpeoplewithMSintheirareashareinformationandresourcesandhelpensurethateveryonethatvisitedtheirboothhadfun.CongratulationsSusieandtheNorthAreaMSSocialGrouponagreatsuccessTheNorthAreaMSSocialGroupmeetsonthesecondFridayofthemonthfrom630830p.m.atAtlantaBreadCompany351West104thAve.NorthglennCO80234.PleasecontactSusieat303-254-6959orssilver316live.comorSusanat303-438-1003ord1srcomcast.netformoreinformation.InterestedindoingsomethingsimilartotheNorthAreaMSSocialGroupsappearanceatHarvestFestinyourcommunityWhetheryoureanindividualwithMSoramemberofanMSsupportgroupyoucanfollowthesestepstomakeithappenResearchfestivalsandfairsinyourarea.YourcitysChamberofCommerceshouldhavealistingofsuchevents.CheckyourlocalnewspaperaswellascommunitywebsitesandFacebookpagestoseewhatisgoingoninyourarea.Localnonprofitschurchesandhospitalsmayalsohosthealthfairsorcommunityevents.OrdermaterialsfromtheMultipleSclerosisFoundation.WecanoutfityouwithawealthofinformationalmaterialsaboutissuesrelatedtoMSbrochuresaboutMSFprogramsandservicesaswellasgoodiessuchaswrist-bandspenslanyardkeychainsandmagnetsforyourtable.Shareyourstory.IfyoufeelcomfortableletvisitorsknowthatyouhaveMSandarewillingtoansweranyquestionstheymayhaveaboutwhatitsliketolivewiththedisease.CreateaTryonMSstation.YoullbepromotingawarenessandeducatingpeopleaboutwhatitsliketohaveMSwhilesimultaneouslyprovidinganentertainingandinteractiveactivitythatwilldrawpeopletoyourtable.ThinkoutsidetheboxlikeSusiedidandincorporatefunactivitiessuchasplayingminigolfwhilewearingblurredglassesorplayinghopscotchorringtosswhilewearingwristandankleweights.3HelpfulHintsforCommunityOutreach Self-DefenseforPeopleWithMSMSingAroundSupportGroupOrangeParkFla.InanefforttoempowertheirsupportgroupmembersSupportGroupLeaderMichelleStoneandCo-LeaderSarenaPhillipsinvitedWayneSpinningMongooseReglandVonthellaDragonLadyReglfromGrayDragonsCaneDefensetoteachpersonalsafetyandself-defensetechniquesatoneoftheirrecentgroupmeetings.WayneandVonthellademonstratedusingawalkingcaneandothercommonitemssuchasapenorcarkeystoprotectoneself.MichelleexplainedsomeofthewalkingcanetechniquestheylearnedPokeanassailantinthestomachtokeephimorheratadistance.Strikingthekneetopofthefootshouldersorribswithforcecombinedwiththeelementofsurpriseisintendedtotemporarilydisableyourattackerandgiveyouafewsecondstoescape.SheaddedInadditiontothedemonstrationthegroupwasgiventheopportunitytoposewhatifsituationsandpossibleresponsestoprotectourselves.Somegroupmembersalsochimedintosharetheiropinionsandexpertise.OnegroupmemberaretiredpoliceofficersaidOurfirstlineofdefenseisalwaysverbal.Ifassaultedyoushouldalwaystrytoattracttheattentionofothersbyspeakingloudlyandfirmly.Sendthemessagethatyouarenotawillingvictimaswellasalertingothersthatyouneedhelp.Sarenaremindsusthatwearealluniqueandneedtofindwhatworksbestforusasindividuals.Weallneedtofindourownstrengthsweaknessesandtechniques.Onlythencanwebeeffectiveshesaid.EvenWayneandVonthellawereimpressedwiththecandoattitudepresentamongMSingAroundSupportGroupmembers.Wewerereallymovedbythepositiveenergyofthegrouphesaid.WayneandVonthellaalsoprovidedhelpfultipsthateveryoneshouldkeepinmindPracticeawarenessofyoursurroundingswhenyougoaboutyourdailyactivities.Dontbedistractedbyyourphoneorbyfumblingaroundinyourpurse.Thinkabouthowyoupresentyourselftootherswhenyouareinpublic.Evenifyouareinawheelchairyoucanstillsitaserectaspossibleandprojectconfidencetothosearoundyou.Inmanysituationsyouwillonlyhavetwoorthreesecondstorespondorreact.Practiceself-defensetechniquesandmentally4 5prepareyourselfbeforeyouareeverface-to-facewithanassailant.Themindmayrememberthingsyouvelearnedbutthebodyquicklyforgetsifyoufailtopractice.Becomeyourownmasterofthecaneinsteadofjustcopyingtheinstructor.Wearealldifferentandourtechniquesshouldbedifferent.TheMSingAroundSupportGroupmeetsonthesecondSaturdayofthemonthfrom11a.m.1p.m.atOrangeParkLibrary2054PlainfieldAve.OrangeParkFL32073.PleasecontactMichelleat757-390-8823ormichelle.stoneymail.comorSarenaat386-328-5840orsarenavpgmail.comformoreinformation.GrayDragonsCaneDefensecanbereachedat386-329-0469orgraydragonsdancedefensegmail.com.Visittheirwebsitewww.graydragonscanedefense.comformoreinformation.SpottheSnowmenContestGetoutyourmagnifyingglassesandaskfamilymembersorfriendstohelpAnumberofsnowmenhavefoundtheirwayontothepagesofthisissueandwerecountingonyoutohelpusspotthemRandomdrawingsofthecorrectentrieswillbechosentowin25giftcards.Pleaseincludethepagenumberandlocationofeachsnowmanalongwithyourfullnameandmailingaddressinyoursubmission.Submityourentryviaemailtosupportgroupsmsfocus.orgorviamailtoMultipleSclerosisFoundationEmpowerSourceSupportGroupNews6520N.AndrewsAve.FortLauderdaleFL33309.AllentriesmustbepostmarkednolaterthanFeb.28.Goodluck NewYearsResolutionsforPeopleWithaChronicDisease6ItsthattimeofyearagainwhenwereflectupontheyearthathasendedandthinkabouttheNewYearthatisuponus.ManyofushavebeenmoreconcernedwithmakingsureourprescriptionswereallrefilledbeforeDec.31thanmakingresolutionstoloseweight.WiththatinmindIhavedevelopedalistofsuggestedresolutionsforpeoplewithachronicillness.Someareintentionallysillywhileothersarewellwithinrangeformanyofus.1.MeetyourannualinsurancedeductiblebeforetheendofJanuary.2.Remodelthewalk-inclosetwithslantedshelvessothattheoldestbottlesofmedicationautomaticallyrolltothefrontandthenew90-daysupplythatjustarrivedviaUPScanbeusedintheorderthatitwasreceived.3.CreatefivenewresponsestoHaveyoutriedvitaminsupplementssothatyoudontblowagasketthenexttimesomeoneasks.4.Developanewlineofinteriordesignaccessoriesthatdiscreetlydisplaysyourbrightredbio-hazardneedleboxandIVpoleinplainsight.5.Inventaninvisiblegermshieldtogowithyourinvisiblediseasesothatyoucanbeprotectedfromthosewhothinkyoureallydontlookthatsick.6.Inventhotcoldunderwearthatself-adjustsdependingonyourhormonelevelsandmedications.7.Spendmoremoneyininsuranceclaimsthanyoucouldpossiblymakein2015.8.ConvinceyourcongressionalrepresentativetointroduceanAmericanprescriptionrecoverybillthatwillforgiveoutrageouslyhighcopayments.9.GetapetitiongoingthatwillforceelectedofficialstouseMedicaresotheycanseehowtherealworlddealswithhealthcareissues.10.Bemoreproductivewhenprednisone-inducedinsomniatakesover.11.Createapinorsignthatwarnsfamilyandfriendstheprednisoneiscurrentlyinuse.12.Organizeyourwardrobeclosetbyprednisoneandnon-prednisoneclothing.WhetheryouchoosetosetNewYearsresolutionsornotitisalmostsecondnaturetoreminisceaboutthepastyearandlookforwardtothenext.Manyofuswithchronicillnesshopeandstrivetoregainthehealthweoncehaddoingsoafterallisnaturalhumanbehavior.Howeverifwecontinuetolamentthepastwemightjustmissoutontheblessingsofthefuture.ManyofusarefamiliarwiththenotionthatlaughteristhebestmedicineandactivelyencourageourselvestokeepitinmindalongourjourneythroughlifewithMS.WesearchedonlinetofindsomeexamplesofNewYearsresolutionsthatmightbringforthalittlelaughteraswebegin2015.WefoundwhatwewerelookingforinKrisMcFallsblogentrytitledNewYearsResolutionsforPeopleWithChronicIllnesswhichispartiallyreprintedbelow.Wehopeherthoughtsbringasmiletoyourface.Reprintedinpartwithpermission.CopyrightIGLivingblogDec.292011www.IGLiving.com. 7AnastasiaPapadopouloshasbeentheSupportGroupLeaderoftheWantaghMSSupportGroupformanyyears.HermovetoNorthCarolinanecessitatedleavingthegroupintheablehandsofnewSupportGroupLeaderKathyRaglandandCo-LeadersDonnaAloiandTeresaCarrasquillo.AspartofthetransitionAnastasiahasbeenprovidingthenewleaderswithalloftheknowledgeandinformationshehasacquiredovertheyears.AnastasiaencouragedthemtoempowerthemselvesbyfindingoutalloftheorganizationsandresourcesthatareavailableforpeoplewithMSandstayingonthephonealldaylongifnecessary.Sometimesthatswhatittakestogetthehelpyouneed.AspartofherquesttohelphersupportgroupmembersdojustthatAnastasiacreatedadocumenttitledMultipleSclerosisResourcesWebsitesandTelephoneNumbersandprintedcopiesforeveryone.AnastasiafoundresourcesbysearchingonlinewordofmouthandtalkingwithotherpeoplewhohaveMS.NowallofthesupportgroupmembershaveacomprehensivelistingofthemostessentialresourcesforpeoplewithMSattheirfingertips.Rememberevenifyouarentinasupportgroupyouarestillyourownbestadvocate.Armyourselfwiththetoolsandinformationthatwillenableyoutofindthehelpyouneedandadvocateonyourownbehalf.HerearesomesuggestionsforyourMSResourcesfactsheetAtminimumincludethenameoftheresourceorserviceitswebsiteaddressanditsphonenumber.Ifspacepermitsparaphrasetheresourcesofferingse.g.Providesmobilitydevices.IncludethefollowtypesofresourcesNationalnonprofitMSorganizationssuchastheMultipleSclerosisFoundation.Organizationsandcompaniesprovidinghelpfulgoodsandservicessuchasassistivedevicesmobilityaidsandhomecare.Healthandwellnessprogramsandgroupfitnessclassesinyourarea.SomeexamplesareyogachairyogatherapeutichorsebackridingaquaticsPilatesandTaiChi.Variouscommunityresources.UnitedWays2-1-1formerlyFirstCallforHelpisoftenagreatplacetostart.Countystateandfederalassistanceprogramsandservices.Patientsupportservicesfordisease-modifyingtherapiesprovidedbypharmaceuticalcompanies.FinancialassistanceprogramsforMSmedications.Theseareofferedbypharma-ceuticalcompaniesandvariousnonprofitorganizations.TheWantaghMSSupportGroupmeetsonthethirdTuesdayofthemonthfrom11a.m.-1p.m.atSt.FrancesdeChantalChurchBackoftheSchoolBuildingRoom161309WantaghAve.WantaghNY11793.PleasecontactDonnaat516-312-6171orTeresaat516-312-6171orboriquaforever22yahoo.comformoreinformation.TryThisSupportGroupMeetingTipCourtesyofWantaghMSSupportGroupWantaghN.Y. 6520NorthAndrewsAvenueFt.LauderdaleFL33309-2132NonProfitOrg.U.S.PostagePAIDFt.Laud.FLPermitNo.2698ChangeServiceRequestedContactAlissaAydentostartyourownsupportgroupORsubmityourquestionscommentspicturesorarticlesMailMSFAttnSupportGroups6520N.AndrewsAve.FortLauderdaleFL33309Emailalissamsfocus.orgPhone888-MSFOCUS673-6287LendingLibraryWhetheryouarelookingforcaregivingresourcesanaudiobookarelaxationtapeexercisevideooraguidetoalternativetherapiesforMScontacttheMSFLendingLibraryatEmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsissponsoredinpartwithsupportfromFreeSubscriptionTosubscribetoEmpowerSourceSupportGroupNewsgototheMSFwebsitewww.msfocus.orgclickSubscriptionsPeriodicalsandfillouttheformorcontactProgramServicesatWEWANTTOHEARFROMYOUPhone888-MSFOCUS673-6287orgototheMSFwebsitewww.msfocus.org