winter 2014 central valley: 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
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central valley: Programs & Services winter 2014
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 at 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.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS Registration is required for all programs. To register, please visit our Program Calendar at www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 1-800-344-4867.
Newly Diagnosed Orientation, Modesto Tuesday, February 4th 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. NMSS Modesto Office 422 McHenry Avenue, Modesto If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the diagnosis, and unsure of what questions to ask or who to talk to. The National MS Society has developed the Newly Diagnosed Orientation so you can get the information and support you need to live comfortably and confidently with this change in your life. Friends and family are welcome as well for this overview of MS facts and how the Society can help you.
Yoga Class for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Accident and Injury Center 1419 Standiford Ave. #1, Modesto Yoga combines breathing with movements that can alternately stimulate or calm the body. Many people with muscle tightness or decreased range of motion find that yoga practice brings
register at nationalmssociety.org/can | 1-800-344-4867 noticeable improvement. Because yoga is relaxing and noncompetitive, it is especially recommended for people with MS. For more information, please contact instructor Richard Parenti, Spiritual Director for the Yoga Health Institute, at 209-3805955. You can learn more about Richard and the Yoga Health Institute at www.yoga-ehealth.com.
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. To register, visit the Program Calendar at www.nationalmssociety.org/can or by calling 1-800-344-4867. • Wave of Hope SHG Wednesday, March 26th at 6:00 p.m. 1491 East G Street, Oakdale • Manteca SHG Monday, March 17th at 11:30 a.m. Roundtable Pizza 253 Spreckels Ave., Manteca • Modesto SHG Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 a.m. NMSS Office 422 McHenry, Modesto
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get When I Walk shown in your area An emotional documentary filled with unexpected moments of humor and joy, When I Walk is a life-affirming film driven by a young man’s determination to survive - and to make sense of a devastating disease through the art of cinema. In 2006, 25-yearold Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when suddenly he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love. Bring When I Walk to your local theater with Tugg! Tugg is an online platform that gives individuals and organizations a cost-free way to host movie screenings in their local theater. Visit www.tugg.com/titles/when-i-walk and create an event. Next, select a theater and date. Once your event is created, spread the word to pre-sell the tickets. Once your ticket sales reach the required minimum, the movie will be shown. The Chapter is happy to help you advertise your event to get the tickets sold. E-mail jennifer.gawler@nmss.org for assistance.
10 what’s happening in northern california Bay Area • Yoga for MS, every other Saturday beginning
January 4th in Concord • East Bay MS Counseling Group on Saturdays in Livermore • Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life with MS, Saturdays: February 1 - March 1 in Livermore • Can Do MS Take Charge Two-Day Program on June 20-22 in Oakland
Greater Sacramento • Management of Fatigue in MS on January
15 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 th
• • • • •
North Bay • Research Forum on March 1st in Petaluma • Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS on
March 31st in Petaluma
ms connection: winter 2014 South Bay • Morning Mingle on January 16th, February • • • • • •
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 Music in Monterey TBD in Monterey MS Awareness Fair on March 7th in Marina Sabercats Game on March 21st in San Jose
self-help groups MERCED COUNTY • Merced: MS Challengers - Susan: 209-631-
7279
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY • Manteca - Sue: 209-482-7034 • Stockton AM - Laurie: 209-915-1730,
Velma: 209-951-2264 • Stockton PM - Brenda: 209-951-0536, Mary: 209-334-5670 • Tracy - Linda: 209-833-6882
STANISLAUS COUNTY • Modesto - Marti or Jane: 209-521-8956 • Turlock - Bill: 209-664-1427, Frances: 209-
667-2184
TUOLUMNE COUNTY • Sonora - Stephen or Gloria: 209-532-5646