MSConnection Summer 2013

CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER

MS CONNECTION MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS | SUMMER 2013 FEATURE STORY

2013 BIKE MS: RIDE VIRGINIA On June 1-2, the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society held its annual Bike MS ride, an event that takes cyclists from Richmond to Williamsburg in a display of athleticism and to spread awareness of multiple sclerosis.

Bill Fitzgerald from CBS 6 hosted the awards ceremony

AND THEY’RE OFF! On a beautiful June morning, 2013 Bike MS: Ride Virginia, presented by Page Auto Group, had 451 cyclists raising over $340,000 to find a cure for MS!

The event hosted 451 riders who raised a total of $342,041.70. This year’s group of riders included WTVR CBS 6 anchor, Bill Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, a first-year-rider, whose mother-in-law passed away due to complications related to MS said, “This is kind of a no brainer for me, I can do this for her, for research and for the people who

have MS. It is a perfect coming together that we can do as a station that is deeply personal to me. It’s something that I know I am going to sweat today and I am going to be tired, but I am going to raise money and achieve something for my motherin-law and those with MS.” Fitzgerald explained that the uniqueness of the bike ride really pushes you, “This event and this chapter, really goes so far to make you feel like you STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WALK MS PAGE 2

A LIST OF CHANGES PAGE 7

PROGRESS ON DMDS PAGE 8

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS PAGE 12

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

MSCONNECTION Central Virginia Chapter 4200 Innslake Dr., Suite 301 Glen Allen, VA 23060 804.353.5008 www.moveVA.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman: Frank N. Cowan Chairman Elect: Matthew L. Austin Treasurer: James E. Sok Sharon Barcalow Gregory Bishop Jennifer L.D. Bittmann Susan Bodin David Carminucci Charlie Colpo Brandon Haushalter Mark Householder Ashley Johnson Glenn Nunziata John O’Bannon, MD

John O’Connor Unsong Oh, MD David Saunders Richard Schoepke Daniel B. Shoop Alan Shulman, MD Alexander H. Slaughter Robert A. Vallejo James VanNess Philip J. Wallin Kyle Yocom

STAFF Sherri Ellis Chapter President - (804) 591-3030 Robert McKoy VP of Operations - (443) 641-1206 Kathryn Zapach Director of Programs & Services - (804) 591-3039 Rick Holzbach Director of Development- (804) 591-3031 Tiffany Epley Development Manager - (804) 591-3036 Jessica Ramirez Programs & Services Manager - (804) 591-3038 Clare Lorio Development Manager, Teams Specialist - (804) 591-3037 Matt Gregory Systems Administrator - (804) 591-3041 Diana Oakley Manager of Finance - (804) 591-3042 Deborah Richards Finance Assistant - (804) 591-3034

FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT... Dear Friends, “One is not born in the world to do everything but to do something.” When I think about these words by poet, writer and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau I think of our vision to Create a World Free of MS. Inside this issue of MS Connections, you will read about incredible volunteers that have impacted our Chapter. Without their tireless dedication, we would not be able to accomplish all that we do. Our Walk and Bike events were successful because of those who offered their time to set fundraising goals, cheer people on and commit to truly making a difference. Volunteers help with our vision in a variety of ways and on a variety of levels. Beyond our events, our Board of Trustees is a group of dedicated volunteers that guide our chapter in its vision of a world free of MS. I would like to invite you to see where you might be able to spend a few minutes or hours each week and become a volunteer with us. The possibilities are endless, as will be your reward. Decide today what your “something” will be.

Ashley Chapman Senior VA Statewide Advocacy Manager - (804) 591-3048 * Please Note: these are direct phone numbers for staff. The Main Office phone number is still (804) 353-5008 or 1-800-FIGHT MS.

If you or Someone You Know Has MS… Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with Multiple Sclerosis. Talk to your Health care professional or contact the National MS Society at www.MoveVA.org or try our office phone at (804) 353-5008 to learn about ways to help manage Multiple Sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

Warm Regards,

Sherri

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2013 WALK SEASON WALK MS: TAPPAHANNOCK Be Inspired. Get Connected. WALK MS.

Saturday, September 14, 2013 Tappahannock Memorial United Methodist Church, 345 Earl Street Join us for food, music, time with the community and of course, a one or three mile walk through the beautiful town of Tappahannock. Our goal is $20,000! We can do this with your help!

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Tiffany Epley.

www.iwalkforMS.org Questions or need more details? Contact Tiffany Epley at 804.591.3036 or tiffany.epley@nmss.org

WALK MS: FREDERICKSBURG Our Fredericksburg walk had 537 walkers and raised

$78,498.17 Thank you to our sponsors:

HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Fredericksburg, Presenting Sponsor PermaTreat Pest Control Aaronal Homes Luck Stone Cici’s Pizza Utz

Team Slick Chicks Assist 2 Sell NOVEC Helps Wegman’s Crown Trophy

Rappahannock Rotary Club EMD Serono Mary Washington HC Giant

WALK MS: KILMARNOCK Our newest walk in Kilmarnock had 129 walkers and raised

$17,909 Thank you to our sponsors: Chesapeake Bank Med-Air Homecare Sara Brown Salon

Coldwell Banker Revere Gas

Hanley Electrical Service Main Street Pharmacy

BE BOLD! WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteer at the walks or at other chapter events. To learn about the opportunities available, contact Deborah Richards at 804.591.3034 or Deborah.richards@nmss.org

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

National Day of Dance th Saturday, July 27 2013 FREE Dance Classes 10:00 AM at Saxon Shoes, Short Pump Town Center 1 PM at Saxon Shoes, the Village at the Spotsylvania Towne Centre Instructor: Kemel Patton Saxon Shoes Short Pump General Manager Hip Hop Line Dance Instructor

Living with MS since 1995 Wear orange to help dance our way to a cure for MS

Live · Love · Dance – with MS

28th Annual

[ÉÇÉÜ|Çz Charles S. Luck, III, Luck Companies

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013 of people living with MS could not fill, or refill prescriptions dosses because they did not have access or could not afford it.

LIVING WITH MS

MS, THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND YOU HOW THE HEALTHCARE LAW WORKS FOR YOU

For those living with MS, the ACA has key provisions that will improve their lives. The ACA has already slowly phased in a process that will prohibit denying coverage due to a pre-existing condition, starting with a special high-risk pool. Starting in 2014, the law will prohibit discrimination on pre-existing conditions. Along with that, insurance companies will no longer be allowed to issue lifetime caps on benefits, and annual benefits will be limited. Already, 2,974,000 people in Virginia, including 1,121,000 women and 817,000 children, are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage.

The Affordable Care Act also fills in gaps in coverage for the poorest Americans by giving states On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court of the the option to expand Medicaid United States upheld the Af“FOR THOSE LIVING to individuals under 65 years of fordable Care Act (ACA). The WITH MS, THE ACA age with income below bill, which was originally signed 133 percent of the federal povinto law in 2009, and will be HAS KEY PROVISIONS erty level (FPL) (approximately completely implemented in the THAT WILL IMPROVE $14,000 for an individual and winter of 2014, has many stag$29,000 for a family of four) THEIR LIVES.” es and many advantages for beginning in January 2014. those who are currently unable to receive healthcare due to a pre-existing condition or those who are unable to pay the prices of The Affordable Care Act is also removing barriers for people with Medicare. With no deductibles their insurance due to expensive medications. or co-pays, cost is no longer a barrier for seniors Historically, many people with MS face challeng- and people with disabilities who want to stay es with finding and keeping adequate, affordable healthy by detecting and treating health probhealth care coverage. People with MS are more lems early. In 2012 alone, an estimated 34.1 millikely to be unemployed, thus 30 percent put off lion people with Medicare benefited from Mediseeking healthcare because they cannot afford it. care’s coverage of preventive services with no A recent estimate has the average yearly cost of cost-sharing. In Virginia, 757,195 individuals with traditional Medicare used one or more free living with MS at seventy-thousand dollars per year, with a lifetime cost of roughly two-million preventive service in 2012. dollars. Due to lack of coverage, twenty percent

Continued on page 19

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A BIG LIST OF SMALL CHANGES Small changes that can have a tremendous impact on daily living with MS.  Ban the TV for better Z’s. Don’t

leave the TV on at bedtime. Both light and sound disrupt sleep rhythms and a TV produces both. The sound will keep your brain activated and the light can trick the brain into thinking it’s time to wake up.  Make a list of people you could reach out to for help . Post the list where you can see it every day (by the phone or on the fridge) and add to it. Use it.  Take four or five deep breaths when you are feeling sluggish. This increases your oxygen intake and gives you energy, making you feel more alert.  Cool down before you exercise to increase energy. Cooling accessories or a cold bath are one way. But research has shown that drinking a frozen slushy also improves endurance.  If you have MS and bladder issues, it is likely that you are also more at risk for a UTI. Drinking eight ounces of cranberry juice more than doubled the protection against infection compared with drinking four ounces, according to a recent study. So double up and cut your risk.  Stimulate your brain a little bit each day. The internet provides may opportunities for continuing education. In fact, you can now take online courses for free (you won’t get credits though) at universities such as Princeton, Stanford, and Duke. Go to www.coursera.org for more information.

7  Instead of carrying clean-

ing supplies from room to room, store a small set of cleaning supplies in each room where they will be used.  If you’ve been fumbling with opening doors in your home, a simple change of hardware can make it easier for you to manage. Levered handles are better for opening doors than rounded door knobs.  If making the bed is difficult, buy sheets a size larger than the mattress size.  To conserve your energy if you battle fatigue, sit on a chair or stool instead of standing to do some tasks. This includes tasks that are fairly quick, like brushing your teeth in the morning, to those that take longer, such as washing the dishes. Put chairs or stools in those locations ahead of time to make it more likely that you will use them.  Trouble with coordination and tremor can be helped by raising the height of a table or desk. This can improve your sitting posture and the higher top may help stabilize your arms. Add wheels (which makes the furniture easier to move, but may be too unstable) or place the furniture on blocks that have been designed for this purpose. Make sure the legs fit far enough down into the blocks to provide stability.  A noisy environment can work against you when you are having trouble communicating with someone, either in person or on the phone. Turning off the television or music allows you to better focus on being understood and on understanding others. Silence can be golden as well when you are concentrating on a difficult task.

Excerpted from the article Getting to the Next Level One Step at a Time: Small Changes Equal Big Improvement (p.7-9) of the Winter 2013 Edition of MSFocus Magazine. To view the full article, please visit www.MSFocus.org.

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

FEATURE STORY

2013 BIKE MS: RIDE VIRGINIA (Continued from the front page) est was 84 years old. Not only did humans participate, but so did one of our four legged friends. Chester, a two-yearcan do this, that you can raise the money and make a difference, you can finish this ride, even if old Lhasa David Jones and Chester enjoying the ride. Apso also you have never ridden before. Seeing all these people committed, the sense of community and joined on this ride, riding in a basket for all 150 miles of the ride. camaraderie is what brought me here.”

“…[Y]OU CAN RAISE THE MONEY AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU CAN FINISH THIS RIDE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER RIDDEN BEFORE.”

Camaraderie seemed to be a common theme with riders throughout the day. Jesse Raben, the top fundraiser with $12,201 said, “We feel Jesse Raben, 2013 Bike MS Top Fundraiser so welcomed accepting his leader bike jersey. down in VA, there is much more camaraderie, it seems that the money here will go much further than in other areas. It is almost like a family atmosphere … They make me feel like family.”

With the help of all the participants, Bike MS, again was successful. It has become one of the more well-known bike events in Central Virginia. We here at the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society would like to say thank you to all of our sponsors: Page Auto Group – Presenting Sponsor, McGuire Woods, Miles of Scarves, Cowan Gates, UPS, Invescopowershares, Agee’s Bicycle, Martin’s Food Store, Heartwood Wealth Advisors, EMD Serono, The Family of Nancy Monson, Team MM JR., Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, New Horizon Security Services, WaWa, Costco, Sam’s Club, City Ice, VA State Police, CBS 6, Crown Trophy, DJ Eric Lee, Road Safe, Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad, HAM Communication Operators, Cycle Ed’s, Performance Bike, Pete’s Bike, Pibby’s Bicycles, Contes.

The ride didn’t just include your typical bike enInterested in riding in next year’s Bike MS: Ride thusiast; it also included participants of all ages. Virginia? Register and begin fundraising at The youngest rider was 11 years old and the oldwww.irideforMS.org or call 804.591.3041.

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Congratulation to the 2013 Bike MS top fundraisers and teams 2013 Top Fundraisers Day of Event and fundraising deadline (6/30/13): 1st Jesse Raben - $12,201 2nd Mike Hull - $10,681.91 3rd Darma Bennett-Hull - $8,763.69 4th Jonathan Coleman - $7,275 5th Matthew Cheek â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $6,070 2013 Top Teams Day of Event: 1st Capital Ale House at $42,589 2nd Team Coop $22,764 3rd B&R Road Warriors $20,807 4th Williams Mullen $20,222 5th Team Davenport raising $15,340 2013 Top Teams as of 6/30 fundraising deadline: 1st Capital Ale House - $49,411.27 2nd Team Coop - $23,289.14 3rd Team Williams Mullen - $23,132.10 4th B&R Road Warriors - $23,096.60 5th Team Davenport - $17,759.69 2013 Top Teams based on $/member Day of Event: 1st Team Coop - $4,553 per team member 2nd B&R Road Warriors - $4,161 per team member rd 3 Unknown Yellow - $979 per team member 2013 Top Teams based on $/member as of 6/30 fundraising deadline: st 1 Team Coop - $4,658 per team member 2nd B&R Road Warriors $3,849 per team member 3rd Team Stelliza - $1,172 per team member

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

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MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

PROGRAMS

2013 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Since 2003, the Central Virginia Chapter has been awarding scholarships to highly qualified high school seniors who have a diagnosis of MS or a parent/guardian living with MS. We are proud to honor the following students for their academic efforts: KATI JUSTICE, Fredericksburg, VA

COURTNEY JONES Richmond VA

Faith Baptist School Miles of Scarves Scholarship $3000

Elijah House Academy $1000

LANDON JAY BECHTEL Chesterfield, VA

CAMPBELL HEESE, Richmond, VA

Cosby High School $1000

Mills Godwin High School $1000

KATHRYN BUNGARDEN Chesterfield, VA

EMILY BROCKENBROUGH, Ashland VA

Thomas Dale High School $1000

Patrick Henry High School $1000

NOT PICTURED: ELEXISS ALLISON, Henrico VA Henrico High School $1000

Congratulations Class of 2013 - we wish you much luck and success! Interested in honoring a loved one by sponsoring a 2014 scholarship? Contact Kathryn Zapach for more information (Kathryn.zapach@nmss.org).

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FEATURE STORY

WORLD MS DAY 2013 On May 29, 2013, over 75 countries joined together to celebrate World MS Day. This global effort challenged people to share the words and mottos that give them strength on www.worldMSday.org. There are over 2 million people living with MS worldwide and this “share your motto” campaign helped connect people to one another not only in their own communities, counties, and states, but also across countries! In order to help A group of staﬀ, volunteers, clients and supporters showed up for the lighting of the Executive Mansion. celebrate and recognize the awareness this day brings to the MS community, the Virginia Executive Mansion, located in Richmond, lit up in orange! Did you participate in World MS Day or do have ideas for 2014 World MS Day? Email Jessica.ramirez@nmss.org with your pictures, stories and suggestions!

EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS: WHY DO YOU CONNECT?

Visit www.MSConnection.org to share why you connect.

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013 To benefit the Central Virginia Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Kilmarnock, September 18 | Richmond, September 19 | Fredericksburg, September 20 Join us for a silent auction, lunch & guest entertainer, David Osmond. Ladies, be ready to swoon as David sings and shares his personal story of challenge, triumph and love. David has music running through his veins, literally. He's the 4th son of Alan Osmond, oldest of the performing Osmond Brothers, and began performing as the lead singer with his own brothers when he was only four years old, a group that evolved into the admired The Osmonds 2nd Generation. He was forced to put music on hold for several years shortly after receiving a diagnosis of MS in 2006. Then, taking his father Alan as his model, who also lives with MS, David set his sights back on making music acknowledging that he may have MS, but MS does not have him. Now whether recording a song that stirs your soul while getting your toes tapping or rousing participants at a Women on the Move luncheon or speaking out with passion on a broad spectrum of platforms such as The Today Show to raise awareness and resources for the MS community, David inspires people whether or not they personally have MS themselves. In recognition of his support of the MS movement and work of the Society, he received the Society's Spirit of Life Award. The honor was made even more special because he had presented his father with the inaugural Spirit award in 2000.

Please come see David at one of our three Women on the Move events! For table sales and ticket information, contact: Tiffany Epley at tiffany.epley@nmss.org

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2 Days, 50K Join the Central Virginia Chapter for Challenge Walk MS: Chesapeake Challenge 2013 hosted by the Maryland Chapter on Sept. 7-8, 2013 ER

REGIST ! Y A D O T

Once in a while, a challenge calls that you simply must answer. Challenge Walk MS is your opportunity to answer that call. The National MS Society, Maryland Chapter is excited to offer one of the premier walking events in the country and 2013 will be no exception. Participants can continue to expect the same great route support, well -stocked rest stops and plenty of camaraderie along the way!

For more information & to register visit: www.moveVA.org and click on the Challenge Walk button or call Rick Holzbach at 804.591.3031

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

PROGRAMS

SUPPORT GROUP LEADER TRAINING HELD AT CHAPTER OFFICES On May 15th, the Central Virginia Chapter of the National MS Society partnered with Virgin- Sarah Lageman, Ph.D., from the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center, addressed recognizing overload ia Commonwealth University Parkinson’s and and coping strategies during the training program. Movement Disorders Center and the Southeast able to share coping strategies.” (Dumenci, Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Hunter Holmes McGuire 2013) VA Medical Center to host a support group Participants not only learned about topics such leader training session. as patient-centered care, recognizing overload, coping strategies, engaging and motivating oth“THIS PROGRAM OFFERED ers and information on helpful resources—but LEADERS THE OPPORTUNITY also had the opportunity to network with other TO GLEAN SUPPORT FROM leaders and exchange personal experiences and anecdotes, best practices, and contact inforOTHERS FACING SIMILAR mation. “This program offered leaders the opCHALLENGES [.]” portunity to glean support from others facing similar challenges, in a sense a support group Support group leaders facilitate monthly sup- for support group leaders,” said Lageman. “The port or self-help groups for those people and day was motivational and participants reported their family members living with and affected leaving the training re-energized with practical by multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Hun- skills to implement with their tington’s disease and essential tremors. groups.” (Dumenci, 2013) “Support groups are an important tool to help people cope with these complex diseases that Participants traveled from around the state of impact more than a person’s ability to move – Virginia to attend the training program held at cognitive and mood changes, medication side the Central Virginia Chapter’s offices located in effects, changing roles in the household, leaving Glen Allen, Virginia. the workforce,” said Sarah Lageman, Ph.D., asSee the full listing of self-help groups on the sistant professor of neurology and neuropsyadjourning page or contact Jessica Ramirez for chologist in the VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center. “Groups also give peo- more information on Chapter support groups (Jessica.ramirez@nmss.org). ple an outlet to share challenges with others who may have had similar experiences and be Dumenci, Frances (2013, May 20). VCU Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center Co-Hosts Training Session. VCU News Center. Retrieved June 20, 2013, from http://www.news.vcu.edu/news .

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PROGRAMS

CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER SELF-HELP GROUPS The National MS Society recognizes that self-help groups play a role in helping people affected by MS. They provide an avenue for connection, optimism, education, personal change, advocacy and friendship. Self-help groups are led by trained volunteers and the members determine the group’s purpose and meeting agendas. The groups view the Society as a source of information and support. Below is a listing of the official self-help groups sponsored by the National MS Society. Please contact a group leader in advance if you would like to attend as groups are sometimes cancelled or meeting times changed. If you do not find a group that is convenient to you, and you think you might like to start one, contact Jessica Ramirez at 804.591.3038 or Jessica.ramirez@nmss.org.

Hanover Group 4th Thursday - 7-8:30pm Church of the Redeemer 8275 Meadowbridge Rd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Leader: Dana (804)550-2280

Petersburg Day Group 2nd Thursday - 10-11:30am River View - 201 Epps St. Hopewell Leader: Melanie (804)526-9129

South Hill Empowerment Group

3rd Wednesday - 5:30-7:30pm 2nd Monday - 10:30am Community Memorial Health Ctr Call for location (125 Buena Vista Circle) Leaders: Leader: Starr (434) 378-2031 Margaret(804)472-4781 Pat (804)443-9657

Richmond Day Group The Invincibles 2nd Monday - 10:15-11:30am Tuckahoe YMCA 3rd Tuesday - 7-8:30pm (9211 Patterson Ave.) HealthSouth-Fredericksburg Leader: Barbara (804)747-0298 (300 Park Hill Drive) Leader: Belinda (540)373-4377

Petersburg Evening Group Richmond Evening Group 3rd Thursday - 6-8:00pm Southside Regional Hospital 3rd Floor Classroom Leader: Quennette (434) 246-6007 (804) 731-9069

2nd Thursday - 7:15-8:30pm HealthSouth - Classroom 5700 Fitzhugh Ave. Leader: Lorenzo (804)921-9712

Chesterfield Day Group

Richmond (VA Home)

3rd Wednesday - 12-1pm Johnston-Willis Hospital Board Room Leaders: Sheila (804)739-8488 Sharon (804)794-7589

Tappahannock Neuromuscular Support

For people with advanced stages of MS Every Monday - 11am 1101 Hampton St. Leader: Judy (804)359-4093

My Solutions—Online, Facebook Support Group for Young Adults in their 20s & 30s To sign up, visit: http;//bit.ly/ MySolutions or Contact Jessica at (804) 591-3038

Chronically Awesome Call for dates Bank of Lancaster –NorthSide (432 N. Main St., Kilmarnock,Va) Leader: Teri (804)436-4750

GROUP TIMES AND LOCATIONS VARY, SO BE SURE TO CHECK WITH GROUP LEADERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING!

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2013

LIVING WITH MS

DISCLOSURE IN THE WORKPLACE PLANNING AHEAD IS KEY Disclosing one’s MS diagnosis to your employer is one of the most difficult decisions people with MS face. You need to consider carefully before making the decision to do so, as it has legal and job-related implications that can be ongoing. When disclosing to an employer, there are many issues to consider. There may be good reasons to disclose and benefits from doing so. Once information is given, however, it can never be taken back; so it’s important to make certain that telling does benefit you. If you require an accommodation or need to take medical leave, these are reasons that require some level of disclosure. However, some people choose to disclose just for the sake of disclosing. This may reduce their

employer or a new one. Planning ahead is key as knowledge is power and this should help protect you should you decide to disclose.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you work for a private employer with 15 or more employees, an employee is required to disclose if he or she needs an accommodation. The accommodation can be requested during the interview process or over the course of your em“ONCE INFORMATION IS ployment. You need to be able to perform the GIVEN, HOWEVER, IT CAN essential functions of your job, with or without NEVER BE TAKEN BACK [.] accommodations, but in order to get the accommodations needed, you must first disclose. Some stress level or make them feel more comfortable of the practical or emotional reasons for discloasking for accommodations in the future when sure include reducing stress, being able to more or if their symptoms change. The decision will freely examine insurance and benefits, and it differ from one person to another depending on simply may make you feel more comfortable in symptoms, accommodations needed, and percase there is a change in your symptoms in the sonal preferences. future. It is also important to be proactive and not delay until you have a poor performance There are several key issues to consider: who at evaluation. Once it has gotten to that point, it work needs to know; when does your employer may be too late. need to know; why would your employer need to know; and what do they need to know? Dis- Be sure to consider both the legal and practical closing your MS to your employer is something sides of disclosure, the advantages and disadthat might need to be revisited throughout your vantages of disclosure, and explore the compotime working with MS, whether with the same

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nents of a disclosure script. Some general suggestions on how to disclose include:

DiscloseWork. The National MS Society also offers several publications that cover disclosure and other employment issues: The Win-Win Approach to Reasonable Accommodations, Dis Your disclosure should be brief, concise, nearly devoid of technical medical terms, closure (Basic Facts Series) addresses disclosure and end with how you manage your symp- issues in both personal and professional relatoms so you are able to get a job done. tionships, A Place in the Workforce includes an  Show how the disability is just one aspect of article entitled “Disclosure or Not, ” and ADA your life. and People with MS. These publications can be obtained online at http://  Assume that the employer either knows nothing about your disability or perhaps has www.nationalmssociety.org/multimediamisconceptions. A big part of disclosing is library/brochures/employment-issues/ educating your employer. index.aspx.  Write out your disclosure script and practice it on friends and family. Ask if it is too tech- The National MS Society can provide assistance nical, medical, or scary. and support regarding your employment questions. Call 1-800-344-4867 to speak with an There are many resources available to help you MS Navigator. You can discuss disclosure isnavigate this important decision. The Job Acsues and accommodation strategies, as well as commodation Network (JAN) is a free service obtain referrals to other employment resources. of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy and can be reached at Whatever you decide, don’t do it alone. Rehttp://askJAN.org or by phone at 1-800-526- member that no two situations are the same 7234. The National MS Society offers a disclo- and you want to be the one in control. sure tool online at www.nationalMSsociety.org/

LIVING WITH MS

MS, THE ACA AND YOU (Continued from page 6) Under the new health care law, insurance companies must provide consumers greater value by spending generally at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care and quality improvements instead of overhead, executive salaries or marketing. If they don’t, they must provide consumers a rebate or reduce premiums. This means that 686,738 Virginia residents with private insurance coverage will benefit from $43,127,639 in rebates from insurance companies this year, for an average rebate of $115 per family covered by a policy. Overall, there are many structural changes in the healthcare system, some immediate, others on a schedule. The National MS Society will continue to analyze how new provisions will impact people and families living with MS. For general questions about the healthcare reform, we encourage you to visit: www.healthcare.gov. If you have any questions about how ACA will impact your MS treatment call the National MS Society at 1-800-344-4867 or visit online at www.nmss.org.

4200 Innslake Dr., Suite 301 Glen Allen, VA 23060

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS THURSDAYâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;SUNDAY, AUGUST 15-18 2013 Kids Camp SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 & 8 2013 Challenge Walk SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 2013 Walk MS: Tappahannock WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Women on the Move: Kilmarnock THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Women on the Move: Richmond FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Women on the Move: Fredericksburg TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1 Dinner of Champions

To register for or to get more information about these or other events, visit www.moveVA.org and click on the calendar.