WINTER 2017 PACIFIC SOUTH COAST CHAPTER - HAWAII
MS CONNECTION NEWSLETTER GET INVOLVED IN ANY NUMBER OF WAYS!
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JOIN US AT WALK MS
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SAY YES TO YOURSELF
MS NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
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MS CONNECTION: WINTER 2017 JOSEPH, DIAGNOSED IN 2008
ANQUNETTE, DIAGNOSED IN 2013
BREAKTHROUGH MS DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO
CREATE A WORLD FREE OF MS MS breakthroughs happen every day. It’s being able to button your shirt in the morning. It’s walking to the supermarket, and all the way back home. It’s strong enough to fall in love. Continuing the job you were made for. Now is the time to accelerate breakthroughs that change the world for people with MS — life-changing breakthroughs that enable people to live their best lives today and research breakthroughs that will ultimately end MS.
Research breakthroughs Research breakthroughs continue to fuel the treatments and solutions that will stop the disease in its tracks, restore what has been lost, and end MS forever.
Life-changing breakthroughs Life-changing breakthroughs translate research breakthroughs into action by removing barriers in the way of access to healthcare and optimal wellness, and provide what is needed to navigate the challenges of living with MS each day. Both research and life-changing breakthroughs are crucial for each person to achieve the personal breakthroughs needed to live their best life.
Every single breakthrough matters for those with MS. What does it take to change a life? We’re not accomplish this when everyone works and gives together and we need you to lead the of people with MS. by MS or personal breakthroughs for each individual, we will do whatever it takes to change the world for people with MS.
Together we will Breakthrough MS. To donate or for more information, contact Candice Schwalbach at 800-344-4867 or by email at Candice.Schwalbach@nmss.org.
1-800-344-4867 | nationalMSsociety.org
Together We Are Stronger.
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FUNDING THE MISSION
JOIN US AT WALK MS! Not only is Walk MS tons of fun (no matter which island you participate on), but by participating in the event you are also taking an active role in: • Funding cutting-edge research aimed at finding the cause of MS, developing more treatments, and ultimately ending the disease forever. • Providing resources and information about a variety of issues for people living with MS through newsletters, publications, education seminars and conference, and at-home teleconferences. Join us at Walk MS in 2017 and help us make positive changes in the lives of over 800 Ohana on our islands living with multiple sclerosis. Getting involved is easy! Just go online or call the office to sign up as an individual or team. Once you are registered, use your participant center to recruit team members and send donation requests to your friends and family via email, Facebook,
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY Pacific South Coast Chapter Hawaii Office 950 Kamehameha Hwy, Box 822291 Pearl City, HI 96782 808-532-0806 Chapter President: Richard V. Israel Hawaii Director: Candice Schwalbach Editor & Design: Christine Wiley Associate Designer: Sherin Tebbi © 2016 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, Hawaii
and other outlets. You can even kickoff your fundraising by making a selfdonation! We’re also looking for volunteers for our Walk MS Walk MS Participants Committee! The purpose of the community walk committee is to partner with the Walk MS staff to create an exceptional Walk MS experience focusing on fundraising, team and volunteer engagement and logistics. Join the committee by emailing Candice Schwalbach at Candice.Schwalbach@nmss.org.
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Registration is now open! Visit WalkMS.org to register today. 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: WINTER 2017
LIVING WITH MS
SAY YES TO YOURSELF BY CAT STAPPAS I’ll never forget him in his ill-fitting trench coat and his cartoonish large head towering over us, just a bunch of wide-eyed, snot-covered children in elementary school. His name was Officer McGruff, the Crime Dog. He pointed his furry finger at us while an un-costumed police officer warned us against the dangers of drugs. I looked up to McGruff. We had a bond. We understood each other. I knew this because a year or two earlier, I had won a safety poster drawing contest and was awarded with my very own plush McGruff doll. It may as well have been an official sheriff’s badge and a key to the city. I was now a safety expert. I took everything he stood for to heart. I mean, he had a trench coat and everything! Like most other children in today’s world, I vowed to: Say NO to drugs. Say NO to strangers. Say NO to cigarettes. Say NO to alcohol. Say NO to peer pressure.
We were being prepared for real-life situations, all harmful to varying degrees. We were taught to be empowered, to be our own advocates in potentially dangerous situations. But what happens when we get older? I still have to say no to alcohol (thanks, Rebif!), that creepy guy at the bar, and that second (third?) slice of cake, but what poor sap in a sweaty mascot suit do we have to prepare us for the times we need to say NO to good things? I always imagined “NEVER DID I that my young adult IMAGINE THAT years would be full of late nights, parties I’D ONE DAY HAVE and whatever else it is that kids think TO SAY NO TO adulthood is all MY FAMILY AND about. I’m in my early thirties now, FRIENDS, IN FAVOR and while that at OF MY HEALTH.” one time seemed ancient, let’s face it, the thirties are the new twenties and I should be blossoming right now. And I suppose I am, in my own way. But sometimes I get lonely.
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wellbeing are so, so precious. I’m not made of rubber, like I was when I was a kid, and none of us are exempt from the surprises that life throws at us.
CAT STAPPAS Never did I imagine, as I sat cross-legged on the floor in my old elementary school, rocking the latest and most neon early ’90s fashion, that I’d one day have to say no to my family and friends, in favor of my health. I’m so tired now, so very fatigued. My friends are still very social creatures (and good for them!), and many times I have to turn down their invitations. Instead I live vicariously through social media from the inside of my blanket burrito on the couch. I fear that these invitations will come along less frequently and maybe eventually stop. But, so far, the opposite has happened. Have I “lost” some people along the way? Yes. But they’re not missing. I’ve realized that the people who truly matter, the ones that really care about me, will understand when and why I sometimes have to decline an invitation. And these are the relationships of mine that are evolving and maturing. If there is one thing I’ve learned and really grown to accept and embrace in these last three years of living with MS, it’s that your health and
People will come in and out of your life, but you only get one body and that one meat suit is what you’ll be driving for the rest of your life. Love it! Thank it! One heart, two lungs, one set of limbs, one brain. I still have a ways to go, but I’ve learned to better nurture these things to hopefully avoid any more permanent damage. I’ve learned to be more in tune with my body and listen, really listen to it. Say YES to fostering healthy, positive lasting relationships. Say YES to your body when it calls for attention, trying to warn and protect you. Say YES to continuing to live your life as you normally would, while remaining mindful of how it may affect your health. Say YES to your tomorrow, because today’s choices will leave an impact. Say YES to YOU. We don’t need a dog in a trench coat to tell us that. Cat Stappas was diagnosed with MS in 2013. She writes about her experiences in her blog, itsonlyabruise.wordpress.com. To connect with others living with MS and share your experiences, visit MSconnection.org.
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MS CONNECTION: WINTER 2017
FUNDING THE MISSION
OVER $30,000 RAISED FROM BIKE MS: GO BIG OR GO HOME! Mahalo to all of the cyclists and volunteers who joined us for the Bike MS: Go BIG! or Go Home! Participants have raised more than $30,000. This money will go towards lifechanging programs and services for those in the community affected by MS, as well as groundbreaking research.
Congratulations to our top five fundraising teams! Team PATH $11,527.00 Team Navy $6,100.00 Kelsies Team $2,820.00 Fast and Luse $1,995.00 CycleOps $1,925.08 If you couldn’t make it to the event, or are looking for some photos from the weekend, take a peek at our Facebook page (Facebook.com/MSsocietyHawaii). Our amazing volunteer photographers captured some great shots of all of the riders! Don’t have an account? Don’t worry! You can still see all of the photos. We are well on their way toward reaching our $85,000 goal! You can help us achieve this incredible goal by donating at bikeMShawaii.org.
Bike MS Participants: Lisa and Ellie
Congratulations to our top five fundraising individuals! Casey Francis $4,450 John Dewan $2,127 Kelsie Wehren $1,725 William Dodge $1,650 David Kazanowski $1,500
Bike MS Volunteers: Tony, Sharon, Candice, Christine, Tom and Rosie
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NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG | 800-344-4867
INFORMATION & SERVICES
MS NAVIGATORS Whether you are a person with multiple sclerosis, a family member, or concerned about someone with MS, the National MS Society is your partner — providing answers to your questions and access to information about all of the options available to you. The Society puts the latest and most accurate information, resources and programs to work for you, so you can: • Understand what you need to know when you or a loved one is newly diagnosed. • Identify appropriate treatment options and symptom management strategies.
• Face financial challenges and planning for the future. • Team up to face challenges as a family. • Manage difficult life changes. • Find support when MS progresses. The National MS Society offers an extensive variety of programs, services and resources for people living with MS, including family members, carepartners and other members of the support system. These resources can be accessed in person, online, by calling 800-3444867, and by mail. We can help you: • Connect with others living with MS. • Access support from others living with MS.
• Connect to resources in your community and nationwide.
• Find what you need to maintain independence.
• Access optimal healthcare.
• Access comprehensive educational programs, and more.
• Meet workplace challenges.
• Deal with a crisis.
• Understand benefits such as health insurance.
UPCOMING TELELEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Tuesday, December 13, 8:00 p.m. EST Importance of Sleep Tuesday, January 10, 8:00 p.m. EST GPS For Your MS To register for an upcoming telelearning opportunity or for more information, please call 800-344-4867 or visit NationalMSsociety.org/Telelearning.
2017 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM Enrollment for the 2017 National MS Society Carol and Bob Webster Memorial Scholarship Fund is open for all qualified individuals who are living with MS or have a parent living with MS. For more information on the awards criteria and how to apply, please visit NationalMSSociety.org/Scholarship or call 800-344-4867 and press “1”.
950 Kamehameha Hwy. Box #822291 Pearl City, HI 96782
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Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage
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Honolulu, HI Permit No. 1136
NEW! Hilo SHG coming soon! Interested in getting involved? Call 800-344-4837.
For more information on any of the groups below, please call 800-344-4837 for more information. Oahu Windward Talk Story 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Hawaii Pacific University, Windward Campus David Burton, Group Facilitator
Kauai Talk Story Group 1st Wednesdays of each month, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. This group travels to different parts of the island. Mary Kay Hertog and Laurie Weber, Co-Facilitators
Kauai Caregivers Talk Story This group meets based on participant availability and communicates regularly via email thread. For more information, email Candice Schwalbach at Candice.Schwalbach@nmss.org.
Kona Talk Story Group 2nd Sunday of each month, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Club Rehab 75-5699 Kopiko St. John Moore, Group Facilitator
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE! MSHawaii.org
Like us: facebook.com/MSSocietyHawaii Watch us: youtube.com/NationalMSSociety