55 msfocusmagazine.org Living with a chronic illness, especially MS, requires resourcefulness. The changes you experience and the daily struggles you endure may not always be dealt with in a traditional way, and being resourceful means that you can find solutions to your problems no matter your circumstances. Sometimes, you don’t need to solve a problem, but instead need information, such as the latest happenings within the medical community, nutrition plans, or hobby tips. Finding the necessary resources can be challenging at times, but having access to organizations, websites, and others living with MS can help make it easier. Resourcefulness doesn’t always mean being able to help yourself out of a tricky situation. It can also be about knowing where to look for assistance when you need it. That is where we come in! MS Focus has many different, easily accessible resources specifically for the MS community. Our programs and services assist people who have MS, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. We provide support through more than a dozen programsandgrantsformuch-neededservices and devices, as well as exercise classes and lifestyle education.We also provide educational materials, sponsor educational programs throughout the country that people can attend in-person, and have a vast variety of online resources. When you call MS Focus, your call is answered by one of our service coordinators or a peer counselor, all of whom are specially trained to answeryour questions, recommend services, or give helpful guidance. In addition, our resources reach people living with MS in many communities across the country through our Independent Support Groups Network. MS Focus provides group leadersandmemberswithrelevantinformation onsymptommanagementandwaystoimprove quality of life. Together, group members share experiences and information about resources that you may not have known about before. Sharing how you handle your MS symptoms may help someone in their day-to-day life. Resourcefulness is almost a requirement for those living with MS, and combining your own resourcefulness with the resources that MS Focus offers means that you will be prepared for anything. Please welcome these newly affiliated groups: Fairfield MS Support Group – Fairfield, Conn. Life Care Center Osawatomie MS Support Group – Osawatomie, Kan. MS Baltimore Crafted Hands Support Group – Baltimore, Md. MS Meadville Support Group – Meadville, Pa. MS North County Support Group – Atascadero, Calif. MS Support Group of Hudson Valley– Wallkill, N.Y. Temecula MS Support Group – Temecula, Calif. Please visit our website at www.msfocus.org for the meeting dates, times, and locations or to find the support group nearest you. Resourcefulness By Kathryn Bradbury Life With MS