community*
Reaching
OUT
ZOOM SESSIONS AND COURSES ENCOURAGE MS PATIENTS TO SHARE AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER, WRITES DEE MUNKS
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ultiple Sclerosis South Africa (KZN) is determined to honour its commitment to all members in an effort to make the lives of patients bright and cheery, and have embraced the virtual era with gusto – with all support groups and meetings on Zoom. This makes it easier to
BELOW: Gilly Pearce, who has had no movement from her neck down for some 10 years, taught herself to paint with her mouth. Her motto is “I work from the neck up”.
ABOVE: Ruben Thomas (left), newly diagnosed with MS, and friend Ross Meintjies. Picture: Gareth Brown
We are hoping this programme will put a spring in their step and let them know that they are valued and thought of
be in touch, as many find it difficult to get to a designated venue. MSSA KZN recently hooked up with four wonderful UKZN Psychology Masters students who ran a four-session zoom care group, discussing anxiety and depression and how to cope with it. “As MS can be a debilitating autoimmune disease robbing patients of movement, cognitive faculties, dignity and setting of a plethora of unbearable symptoms, we are starting a programme which will, once a week, via zoom, connect with patients and offer courses,” explains chairperson Dee Munks – sharing the following ideas: • Laughter therapy. • Private therapy session with UKZN Psychology Masters students. • Talks by Dr Comrie who focuses on the immune system. • Art and music therapy. • Journalling and poetry writing. • Public speaking – get out of your comfort zone. • Art of communication. • Mad Hatter quizzes. • Vision boards. • TRE sessions. • Food/recipes for the MS body. “We are hoping this programme will put a spring in their step and let them know that they are valued and thought of,” adds Dee – encouraging readers with a special interest they can share with MSSA KZN to make contact. FOR MORE INFO 083 411 4282; www.multiplesclerosis.co.za
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