FALL 2013 SOUTH BAY: PROGRAMS & SERVICES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HELPS WITH MOBILITY AND SELF-CONFIDENCE The Northern California Chapter offers financial assistance to help with the cost of a variety of needs for people living with MS. Financial assistance is based on individual needs and circumstances. Sometimes funds can be leveraged from outside community programs to assist in meeting someone’s specific needs. Veronica Jefferson, M.Ed., a Self-Help Group Leader for Monterey County was able to receive help from the Society’s Direct Financial Assistance program. Her life was changed dramatically when Veronica received the Bioness L300 Foot Drop System on July 1, 2013. The product is designed to help people with certain neurological conditions walk more naturally with increased speed and improved balance. It does so by delivering programmed, low-level electrical stimulation to activate nerves and muscles that lift the foot. In a short time, Veronica has returned to work teaching thirty-two fourth graders. She has to be “quick to the step” and the Bioness gave her that. It has eliminated her drop foot and she can walk at a normal speed. Veronica said, “My self-confidence is so much better now!” If you need financial assistance, contact our Information Resource Center by calling
800-344-4867 or contact Community Development Manager, Tara Reed at 408-988-7587, extension 74102 or email tara.reed@nmss.org.
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH Do you know a doctor, nurse or therapist with an interest in MS? The National MS Society offers resources not only for those affected by MS but also for healthcare professionals who treat MS. Increasing access to quality MS care throughout Northern California is a priority for our Chapter. To help us share resources with professionals in your community, please contact Tara Reed at tara.reed@nmss.org.
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES At the Northern California Chapter, we have a comprehensive approach to address workforce shifts. On our website you will find a collection of critical links and recorded teleconferences that address key issues such as applying for California State Disability Insurance, Federal Social Security Disability Insurance, disclosing your disability, and career changes. You can access these employment resources online at www.NationalMSSociety.org/can. Click on the Programs and Services tab in the middle of the page.
08 UPCOMING PROGRAMS Morning Mingle Thursdays: October 17th, November 21st and December 19th 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 your story and mingle with others who are also living with MS. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. No registration or deadline! Just show up!
Newly Diagnosed Orientation Tuesday, November 5th 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 recently been given a diagnosis of MS, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Or, you may be feeling so overwhelmed by the diagnosis that you aren’t sure what kinds of 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. Join us for an evening of MS facts and an overview of how the Society can help you. Light snacks and refreshments provided. The registration deadline is Monday, November 4th.
SOUTH BAY: PROGRAMS & SERVICES FALL 2013 2nd Annual Time to Trim the Tree Tuesday, November 12th 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. NMSS Santa Clara Office 2589 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara Help bring awareness of MS and the National MS Society by making beautiful ornaments for the National MS Society’s tree at Christmas in the Park. Tree decorating dates will be November 27th and/or 29th. Christmas in the Park is an annual holiday tradition that takes place in the heart of Downtown San José at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. For over 30 years, this whimsical event has brought people from all over the Bay Area together during the holidays. Each year, the two-acre park is transformed into a holiday fantasy with over 60 musical and animated exhibits, glittering lights and the 60-foot Community Giving Tree. Guests enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs and local entertainment while strolling through an enchanted forest of trees decorated by San José schools, community groups and businesses. The registration deadline is Monday, November 11th.
Bunco Tuesday, December 10th 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. NMSS Santa Clara Office 2589 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara Take a break from your holiday shopping, connect with others living with MS and play some Bunco! Bunco is a popular game played
REGISTER AT NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG/CAN | 1-800-344-4867 with nine dice and luck. Players are divided into groups of four and that’s where the fun begins! Bunco can be a bit confusing at first, but once you get the hang of the game, you’ll really enjoy it. Prizes, snack and refreshment will be provided. The registration deadline is Tuesday, December 10th.
Networking Happy Hour Coming soon! Join us for our Networking Happy Hour. We will be gathering at one of the Bay Area’s most popular restaurants each month. This Happy Hour is an opportunity for you to connect with friends while making new connections with your fellow National MS Society members. Come solo or bring a friend! We hope to see you there. Appetizers will be provided by the National MS Society. Please check the online calendar www.nationalMSsociety.org/can for dates, times and locations. Do you have ideas for locations? Contact Tara Reed at 408-988-7587, extension 74102 or email tara.reed@nmss.org.
HOW TO REGISTER Registration is required for all programs. To register, please visit our Program Calendar at www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 1-800-344-4867.
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COMING IN 2014: PARTNERS OF MS QUARTERLY GET-TOGETHERS Do you have a partner with MS? Join others with similar stories for an informal gathering. We would like to meet quarterly and rotate locations in Santa Clara, Monterey and Santa Cruz starting in January 2014. Are you interested? Do you have ideas for locations? Contact Tara Reed at 408-988-7587, extension 74102 or email tara.reed@nmss.org.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Bay Area • Free From Falls from October 10th -
December 5th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Oakland
• 8th Annual MS Family Day on October
26th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in San Francisco
• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on November
6th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in San Francisco • MS Connection Dinner & Networking Event from 6:00 - 8:00 p. m. in Berkeley
Central Valley • Newly Diagnosed Orientation on November
5th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Modesto
• Christmas Stories: The Radio Plays on
December 15th at 2:00 p.m. in Modesto
10 Greater Sacramento • Mix and Mingle Networking Hour on
October 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in Sacramento
• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on November
7 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Carmichael th
• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on November
7th from 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. in Chico
• Navigating Employment and Benefit Options
on November 12th and 13th from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Vacaville
MS CONNECTION: FALL 2013
SELF-HELP GROUPS MONTEREY • Monterey - Veronica: 831-869-1684
SAN BENITO COUNTY • Hollister Group - Joann and Andrew: 831630-0266
SANTA CLARA COUNTY • Milpitas - Phyllis: 408-509-8137
• Coping with MS on November 20th from
• Morgan Hill: Friends, Family, & Caregivers - Nancy: 408-466-8688, Marsha: 408-6553178
North Bay
• Palo Alto - Kathy: 408-921-9888
• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on November
• San Jose - Marie: 510-520-7276
• Navigating Employment and Benefit Options
• Santa Clara - Susan: 408-253-4489, Bruce: 408-978-9648
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. in Sacramento
6 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in Petaluma th
on October 26th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in Bayside
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY • Capitola - Estefana: 831-406-9127 Son Duong, a volunteer from CSUMB for the Free From Falls program at CHOMP Rehabilitation Services, drew this art piece to give to each MS Free From Falls Participant. He used a rose because it can’t be opened at its fullest each day. No day is the same and all of us need to live each day with happiness because each day holds something different.