winter 2014 greater sacramento: 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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greater sacramento: 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.
Management of Fatigue in MS Wednesday, January 15th 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Luken’s Auditorium 6555 Coyle Avenue, Carmichael Join us for the first program of the 2014 Mercy Educational Lecture Series. Fatigue is one of the most common MS symptoms which can be difficult to understand and a challenge to treat. Speaker Sofia Rogado, RN, BSN, is the MS Program Lead of the Mercy MS Center. She will discuss the factors contributing to MS fatigue, therapies available for treatment, and strategies to manage fatigue. A light dinner will be served.
When I Walk Movie Presentation Thursday, January 23rd 6:30 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. Century Folsom 14 201 Iron Point Road, Folsom In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation when suddenly he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His MS could no longer be ignored. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, selfdiscovery, and love. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.tugg.com/events/6672 for $12.50.
register at nationalmssociety.org/can | 1-800-344-4867 Newly Diagnosed Orientation Thursday, February 6th 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Room 145 6555 Coyle Avenue, Carmichael Are you newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. This informative program will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed, as well as family and friends who want to learn more.
Mix and Mingle Networking Hour Monday, February 10th 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hock Farm Craft & Provisions 1415 L Street, Sacramento Looking to meet other working professionals in the area and see how they live with their MS? Or are you thinking of going back to work after a break? Want to do so in a relaxed social setting? Join us for happy hour on Hock Farm Craft & Provisions’ patio to wrap up your day.
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integrate healthful eating into our lifestyles and recognize aspects of diet that could positively impact overall health, MS and manage symptoms. A light dinner will be served.
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 and for locations, visit the Program Calendar online at www.nationalmssociety.org/can or by calling 1-800-344-4867. • Auburn: March 8th, 10:00 a.m. • Chico: February 3rd, 5:30 p.m. • Grass Valley: January 31st, 11:00 a.m.
Nutrition & MS
• Lincoln: January 7th, 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 19th 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Mercy Medical Center, McKinley Room 3000 Q Street, Sacramento
• Moving on with MS & MS Adapters: January 11th, 10:00 a.m.
Join us in welcoming the Southern California & Nevada Chapter’s Denise Nowack, RN, as she helps us identify strategies to easily
• Vacaville: February 8th, 10:30 a.m. • Woodland: March 26th, 6:00 p.m. • Yuba City: February 19th, 6:00 p.m.
what’s happening in self-help groups northern california BUTTE COUNTY
• Chico - Amy: 530-863-7818, Tracy:
530-343-3623
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
EL DORADO COUNTY
• Placerville - Doris: 530-622-5673
NEVADA COUNTY
• Grass Valley - Erica: 530-559-4517
PLACER COUNTY
• Auburn - Loreen: 530-320-1711, Ruth:
530-888-8388 • Lincoln - Marilyn: 916-434-6898
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
• Carmichael: Minimal Symptoms Group -
Central Valley • Yoga for MS on Tuesdays in Modesto • Research Forum on February 3rd in Salida • Newly Diagnosed Orientation on February
4th in Modesto
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North Bay • MS Now - Today’s Treatment & Promising
Research on March 1 in Petaluma • Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS on March 31st in Petaluma
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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
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Brett and Kelly: 916-773-6799 Carmichael: Moving on with MS Annette: 916-715-4973, Irene: 916-5369116, Sylvia: 916-349-1324 Elk Grove - Letitia: 916-896-7764, Dorothy: 916-684-6849, Willie: 916-6841677, Pamela: 916-685-6662 Sacramento: “Second Life” (online) John: 916-708-9708 Sacramento: MS Adapters - Kim: 916821-6133, Stephanie: 916-215-5356 Sacramento: MS Musings of the Mind Writing Group - Irene: 916-536-9116 Sacramento: Yoga and Tai Chi Support Group - Cynthia: 916-682-9030, Evelyn: 916-391-1365
SHASTA COUNTY
• HOPE 4 MS - Beth: 530-246-8404,
Patricia: 530-222-7277, Pat: 530-357-3585
SOLANO COUNTY
• Vacaville - Marian: 707-422-7515, Willie:
707-689-7814
SUTTER COUNTY
• Yuba City - Evon: 530-701-2189
YOLO COUNTY
• Woodland - Shannon: 916-821-3576