winter 2014 south 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. 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
“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 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 ... conitnued on page 8
08 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.
Morning Mingle, Santa Clara January 16th, February 20th, March 20th 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. NMSS Santa Clara Office 2589 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara Got free time in the morning? Too tired to meet at night? Here’s an opportunity to connect, share
south bay: Programs & Services winter 2014 your story and mingle with others who are also living with MS. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. No registration needed.
Newly Diagnosed Orientation, Santa Clara Tuesday, February 4th 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. NMSS Santa Clara Office 2589 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara 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.
Research Forum Saturday, February 8th 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Edenvale Branch Library 101 Branham Lane, San Jose Join Dr. Alexandra Goodyear and Jong Mi Lee, NP from Stanford’s MS Center to hear about the the lastest in MS research, current clinical trials and treatment options. Food will be provided. Space is limited and seats will fill up fast. Registration deadline is Friday, January 31st.
register at nationalmssociety.org/can | 1-800-344-4867 Wine Down Wednesday
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Sabercats Game
Wednesday, February 19 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Enoteca La Storia 416 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos
Friday, March 21st 7:30 p.m. SAP Center San Jose (Shark Tank) 525 W. Santa Clara Street, San Jose
Are you looking to meet other professionals in the area to see how they live with their MS? If so, please join us at one of the Bay Area’s most popular bars and restaurants, Enoteca, for happy hour. This wind down time is for you to relax, eat some good food and connect with other Chapter members. Come solo or bring your family and friends. Light appetizers will be provided. Registration deadline is Monday, February 17th.
Join us to cheer on our Sabercats as they take on the Philidelphia Souls. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the National MS Society. Walk MS team captains or individuals who bring the most people to the game in support of Walk MS and MS Awareness Month will win the ticket sale proceeds towards their Walk MS fundraising goal! Wear any MS, Walk MS or orange shirt and get a free orange MS bracelet. Registration deadline is Friday, March 21st.
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MS Awareness Fair Friday, March 7th 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Free Tai Chi class) 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Fair begins) Peninsula Wellness Center 2920 2nd Avenue, Marina Join us for a day of health and wellness starting with a free Tai Chi class at 10:00 a.m. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. you can talk with a water aerobics instructor, yoga teacher or get a free massage. You can also meet other vendors while listening to music and enjoying some light refreshments. Wear any MS, Walk MS or orange shirt and get five free entries into a raffle for an MS Awareness Kit (includes an MS sweatshirt, cap, sunglasses, lunch bag and five orange bracelets).
COMING SOON Music in Monterey
Turn 12 Bar and Grill 400 Tyler Street, Monterey Turn 12 has joined the movement to create a world free of MS by donating 50% of the beer and wine proceeds to the Chapter for this night only. We will have an appetizer buffet, raffle and music from a local band. Bring your family, friends and fun to this event. Wear orange in support of MS and get a free orange MS awareness bracelet. Walk MS: Monterey Bay team captains or individuals who bring the most people to this event will win the night’s beer and wine proceeds towards their fundraising! $10 suggested donation at the door. The date will be announced soon.
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. Please join us for this program at any of the following Self-Help Groups. To register and for locations, visit the Program Calendar at www.nationalmssociety.org/can or call 1-800-344-4867. • • • • • •
Hollister: February 26th, 6:30 p.m. Milpitas: February 18th, 7:00 p.m. Monterey: January 24th, 11:00 a.m. Palo Alto: March 10th, 7:00 p.m. San Jose: February 13th, 11:00 a.m. Santa Cruz: February 15th, 11:00 a.m.
what’s happening in northern california Bay Area • Yoga for MS, every other Saturday
beginning January 4 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 th
Central Valley
• Yoga for MS on Tuesdays in Modesto • Research Forum on February 3rd in Salida • Newly Diagnosed Orientation on February
4th in Modesto
Greater Sacramento • Management of Fatigue in MS on January • • • • •
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
North Bay
• MS Now - Today’s Treatment & Promising
Research on March 1st in Petaluma • Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS on March 31st in Petaluma
SELF-HELP GROUPS Monterey COUNTY • Monterey - Veronica: 831-869-1684
SAN BENITO COUNTY
• Hollister Group - Joann and Andrew: 831630-0266
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
• Milpitas - Phyllis: 408-509-8137 • Morgan Hill: Friends, Family, & Caregivers - Nancy: 408-466-8688, Marsha: 408-655-3178 • Palo Alto - Kathy: 408-921-9888 • San Jose - Marie: 510-520-7276 • Santa Clara - Susan: 408-253-4489, Bruce: 408-978-9648
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
• Capitola - Estefana: 831-406-9127