SUMMER 2015 Pacific South Coast Chapter - HAWAII
MS Connection Newsletter
make a difference at Bike MS Page 4
INSIDE 02 THIS ISSUE
top walkers and teams
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BIKE MS: GO BIG OR GO HOME!
low income home energy assistance
ms dinner auction
02 congratulations
MS connection: SUMMER 2015
2015 top walkers and teams
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
TALK STORY GROUPS Self-help, otherwise known as Talk Story Meetings, are support groups for individuals with MS, their families, friends, and other care partners. Members gather regularly for the purposes of sharing common experiences and concerns, providing and receiving emotional support, and obtaining information on living and coping with MS. Oahu Windward Talk Story Meeting 3rd Wednesday, 6:00pm - 7:30pm St. John Vianney Parish Community, 920 Keolu Drive, Kailua (Oahu) Parish Office Building, co-facilitated by Milton McAngus & David Burton. For more information, please call Mac at 808-728-0200.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Pacific South Coast Chapter - Hawaii 950 Kamehameha Hwy., Box 822291 Pearl City, HI 96782 Chapter President: Richard V. Israel Editor & Design: Rosie Chuong Associate Designer: Sheri Yee Director: Candice Schwalbach Š 2015 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, Hawaii
Kauai Talk Story Meeting 1st Wednesday, 5:30 - 7:00pm This group travels to different areas of the island each month. Please call the Hawaii chapter office for more information at 808-532-0806. Co-facilitated by Laurie Nakama and Mary Kay Hertog. Kauai Caregivers The group meets at 5:30pm based on participant availability and communicates regularly through an email thread. Maui Self-Help Group Meeting On Summer Break. Please contact Ellen for more information at 808-250-4630. Co-facilitated by Ellen Lundquist and Joyce Macdougall.
Connect with us online: MShawaii.org
Like us: facebook.com/ NationalMSSocietyHawaiiDivision
Information provided by the Society is based upon professional advice, published experience and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician. The Society does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The Society assumes no liability for the use or contents of any product or service mentioned.
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MS connection: SUMMER 2015
BIKE MS
why i ride Kelsie Wehren
Movement is my life. I am a personal trainer and run my own gym; I am a mother of two small energetic boys; I am a swimmer, cyclist, and runner. As a leader in the fitness and wellness revolution that our country is undergoing, I want everyone to know how important it is to get moving every day. As a personal trainer I have worked with people with arthritis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, past injuries, multiple sclerosis and more. Balancing flexibility and strength training leads to a productive quality of life, and the improved ability to participate in athletic events, manage pain and improve body function. Several years ago, a member of my family was diagnosed with MS. I have watched firsthand how movement gets harder and harder with MS and the challenges it brings. I ride for all of the people living with MS and those who no longer can get on a bike and ride when they want to. The training to participate in a Bike MS event can be hard and time consuming. The ride tests your physical and mental limits. Serious training can put a strain on your family and job. Sometimes you might feel like you can’t go on, that you need help and that you’ve had enough. You are undertaking a huge endeavor and life seems to be chugging along as normal around you. I imagine having MS could be like this too. I appreciate the
strength and patience it takes to live with MS. MS is not a fair disease. Anyone can be diagnosed with MS. It turns up in people who eat their vegetables and exercise. It can be found in all genders, ages, races and regions. It can steal the freedom of movement from those who have it. I participate in our Bike MS: Go BIG! or Go Home! ride every year. I see that the programs and support groups funded by this event helps the people on the Big Island manage their MS. I see new research and new drug therapies helping my family directly. And I see hope for the future that one day, there will be a cure. Bike MS is about raising awareness and fundraising for MS and those affected by it. The truth is, we are all affected by MS in one way or another. You don’t have to raise thousands of dollars or even ride 115 miles to make a difference. The first year I participated in Bike MS, I didn’t plan on completing both days and the whole distance, but because of the encouragement
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nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
and support of the Bike MS crew, I did, along with my father-in-law who has had two hip replacements. The second year, I was pregnant with my second child and did fundraising for my team with the virtual rider option. This year will be my third ride and I hope to encourage those people who might not be able to Go Big, but can Go Big Enough. My focus is to get as many people involved on my team as possible, especially those who think they can’t make the distance or make a difference. My virtual riders have been biking, walking, running, swimming, rowing, dancing, and moving since March to accumulate their 115 miles before August 1st and 2nd. I ask that they make a personal donation (if they can) and send one e-mail or Facebook message telling their friends and family what they are doing. Anyone can join my team at any time and do any part, or all of the ride. The goal is to have fun with movement and raise awareness and money for MS. I plan on participating every year until we find a cure. This is an event for everyone, and together, we will make a difference for those with MS.
Low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) opens in june! LIHEAP assists low income households in meeting their home energy needs. LIHEAP is a federal program that provides crisis payments once a year or energy assistance. LIHEAP primarily assists households by applying an energy assistance grant directly to the energy provider on behalf of the eligible household. Applications accepted in June only. Maui: 808-249-2970 Kauai: 808-245-4077 Oahu: 808-488-6834 Big Island: 808-969-6999 The application period this year is June 2015. Please check with each office for exact dates of the application period and required application documents. An in-person interview is required and each office conducts home interviews for people with major mobility issues. Applications taken Monday - Friday, 9am - Noon. All applicants should receive a decision by November or December 2015.
JOIN BIKE MS!
Be a part of the fun on August 1 & 2! Visit bikeMShawaii.org to learn more!
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MS connection: SUMMER 2015
WIN AN OAHU GETAWAY & MS DINNER AUCTION TICKETS FOR TWO!
3YOU MORE WEEKS UNTIL THE DEADLINE! HAVE UNTIL JUNE 30FUNDRAISING TO KEEP FUNDRAISING! For every $50 you raise or donate, you will be entered to win an Oahu Getaway! This will include: airfaire, a one night stay, & VIP tickets to the MS Dinner Auction. Contest deadline is June 30. Please help us reach our goal! No donation is too small to impact the life of someone affected by MS.
WIN AN OAHU GETAWAY MISSION: &E MS DINNER AUCTION LIMINATE MS TICKETS FOR TWO!
AGENTS of change September 26, 2015 Queen Emma Summer Palace
nationalmssociety.org | 1-800-344-4867
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mark your
calendars AUGUST 1 & 2: Bike MS: Go BIG! or Go Home! Ride
SEPTEMBER 26:
MS Dinner Auction - Agents of Change
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