winter 2014 greater bay: Programs & services in your community
Connecting through writing Because MS kills connections in the central nervous system, it is only fitting that connections with others can fight MS. When Tracy Todd, a Chapter volunteer from Northern California who was diagnosed with MS in 2002, was writing her memoir, she decided to compile written works by people living with MS. In May 2012, Tracy started a group called We Write for the Fight (WWFTF) on the Society’s new online social media forum, MSConnection.org, to empower people with MS to express and overcome their struggles creatively. MSConnection.org is focused on joining people around the country affected by MS to learn, discuss, find support and share stories. Finding support is just what Tracy found. Through the WWFTF group, Tracy met her coeditor, Sean Mahoney, and together they would go on to produce an anthology of pieces written by people with MS from all over the country.
“being the pusher” that helped her move the project forward. The result was 273 pages of “perfection,” as Tracy put it. It was not until after the book release that Tracy and Sean finally met face-to-face in the National MS Society office in Ontario, California. Something on Our Minds is real and powerful. Today, about 70 copies have been sold and the WWFTF group has grown to 125 members with writing flooding in. Sean wants to see Something on Our Minds “become a biannual thing,” said Sean. MSConnection.org has provided Tracy and Sean many benefits. Tracy appreciates being able to post questions and concerns she has, like fear of taking certain medication. She ...continued on page 8
Sean knew he needed a support group shortly after being diagnosed with MS in April 2012. He was actively searching for connections online when he found MSConnection.org and WWFTF. Sean joined the group with a passion for writing and a proactive attitude, which “separated him from the group,” said Tracy. Tracy’s collaboration with Sean led to the publishing of Something on Our Minds: An Anthology to Benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Despite never meeting in person while working on the project, the pair worked well together. Tracy praises Sean for
Sean Mahoney and Tracy Todd meet in person for the first time in Ontario, CA
08 emphasized that these conversations are “not something you can find on a Facebook post.” Sean agrees. “Hearing about things I’ve never heard of before from different people, such as this or that treatment, is great.” Tracy and Sean encourage anyone affected by MS to take advantage of MSConnection.org to find support, learn, and use their talents. Tracy found that the WWFTF group has true intimacy unlike other social media outlets. “Once you find those people who are supportive of you, make that your team,” said Tracy. The WWFTF group began as a way to acquire written pieces. Tracy did not know it would become a place where people could discover their inner strength and potential to write. Something on Our Minds proves that when people living with MS come together, they can accomplish great things. Indeed, every connection counts. ◊
Find Connections on msconnection.org Create a profile and browse people, discussion boards, and the blog. Or start your own discussion group and get input from community members. With MSConnection.org, you don’t have to face MS alone. Care partners, family, friends, and those with MS are all welcome. Visit www.msconnection.org and make every connection count.
greater bay: Programs & Services winter 2014
UpCOMINg PROGRAMS Registration is required for all programs. To register, please visit our Program Calendar online at www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 1-800-344-4867.
Yoga for MS Every other Saturday beginning January 4th 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus Kunkel Room, 2540 East Street, Concord Yoga combines breathing with movements that can alternately stimulate or calm the body and is especially recommended for people with MS. Join instructor Susheela Thomas of Yoga Su-Tra for this class specifically for people living with MS. For more information and pricing, call 925778-2923 or visit www.yogasu-tra.com.
Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life with MS 5 Week Series on Saturdays; February 1st to March 1st from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Anthropos Counseling Center 326 South L Street, Livermore The idea of your “best life” can change due to the challenges of having a chronic and unpredictable condition. To address this challenge, the Society developed this free program for people living with MS, their support partners and family members. This interactive program strives to increase participants’ knowledge about positive psychology to address the everyday challenges of living with MS.
register at nationalmssociety.org/can | 1-800-344-4867
North American Educational Program Making Treatment & Lifestyle Decisions: Thinking Clearly About Benefits and Risks This program will highlight the significant progress made in developing new MS treatments, and focus on how people with MS can best evaluate benefits and risks when making treatment and lifestyle decisions. Chapter staff will show a DVD and lead an interactive discussion. Please join us at any of the following Self-Help Groups for this program. Register on the Program Calendar at www.nationalmssociety. org/can or by calling 1-800-344-4867. • Brentwood - MS for Lunch Bunch:
•
•
•
•
•
Wednesday, February 12th at 1:00 p.m. Olive Garden, 4195 Century Blvd., Pittsburg Central Berkeley: Saturday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. Berkeley Public Central Library, Community Mtg. Rm., 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley Concord/Mt. Diablo: Saturday, February 8th at 1:00 p.m. John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus, Kunkle Room (Main Entrance), 2540 East Street, Concord El Cerrito: Wednesday, March 12th at 12:00 p.m. Albany Public Library, 1247 Marin Avenue Oakland African-Americans: Saturday, January 18th at 12:00 p.m. Kaiser Permanente, Meeting Room 200, 3701 Broadway, Oakland Oakland Latinos: Saturday, February 22nd at 12:00 p.m. Oakland Public Library: Cesar E Chavez Branch, 2nd floor, 3301 East 12th Street
09
East Bay MS Counseling Group Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Anthropos Counseling Center 326 South L Street, Livermore *Wheelchair accessible; street parking in back Join this group and find connections with others living with MS. Develop ways to manage challenges and find personal strength to overcome obstacles. This group is open to those who are newly diagnosed as well as people who have lived with MS for many years. This group is led by Jennifer Meewis*, Marriage Family Therapist Intern. She has lived with MS for over five years and brings a strength-based approach to her counseling work. Call Jennifer to learn more at 925-216-6059. *Supervised by Lorena Duncan, LMFT #39253.
Can Do MS TAKE CHARGE™ Program Online Registration Opens February 1, 2014! When: June 20-22 Venue: Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland Fee: $75 application fee includes all meals, hotel lodging, lectures and workshops. Does not include hotel incidentals (ie, parking, room service, wifi, movie rentals, etc). Join us as we explore an interactive and multidisciplinary approach to MS care management. Learn the skills and mindset to TAKE CHARGE of your health and life with MS. For more info visit www.mscando.org/TAKECHARGE. *Participants and support partners are accepted on a first come, first served basis. In collaboration with the Northern California Chapter.
10
ms connection: winter 2014
what’s happening in northern california Central Valley • Yoga for MS on Tuesdays in Modesto • Research Forum on February 3rd in Salida • Newly Diagnosed Orientation on February
4t in Modesto h
• Management of Fatigue in MS on January
• • •
self-help groups ALAMEDA COUNTY
• Alameda - Sharon: 510-521-6260, Ray: •
Greater Sacramento •
• Music in Monterey TBD in Monterey • MS Awareness Fair on March 7th in Marina • Sabercats Game on March 21st in San Jose
15th in Carmichael When I Walk Movie Presentation on January 23rd in Folsom Newly Diagnosed Orientation on February 6th in Carmichael Mix and Mingle Networking Hour on February 10th in Sacramento Research Forum on February 25th in Sacramento Nutrition & MS on March 19th in Sacramento
• • • • • •
510-522-5210 Berkeley: Lunch Group (meets periodically) - Toni: 510-653-4534 Central Berkeley - Audrey: 510-287-6543 East Bay: Lesbians - Nora: 510-313-3862 Fremont - Kim: 510-793-0765 Oakland - Katrina 510-523-1891 Oakland: African Americans - Karen: 510757-3290 Oakland: Latinos - Elsa: 510-777-1414
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
• Brentwood: MS for Lunch Bunch - Kathy:
North Bay
925-286-7674, Julie: 925-513-4686 • Mt. Diablo (Concord) - Cindy: 925-6770737, Jan: 925-372-0859 • El Cerrito - Thad: 510-528-8540
• MS Now - Today’s Treatment & Promising
MARIN COUNTY
•
Research on March 1st in Petaluma • Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS on March 31st in Petaluma
South Bay • Morning Mingle on January 16 , February th
20th and March 20th in Santa Clara • Newly Diagnosed Orientation on February 4th in Santa Clara • Research Forum on February 8th in San Jose • Wine Down Wednesday on February 19th in Los Gatos
• Corte Madera (Group does not meet in
July or August) - Vicki: 415-892-7370, Anita: 415-892-5548
SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY
• San Francisco: Young at Heart Group -
George: 415-724-0064, Ann: 415-573-8949
SAN MATEO COUNTY
• Foster City - Eli: 650-377-1970 • San Mateo - George: 650-281-7646