February 2010 Open door

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Info Service news Self management

Pick and mix exercises

Self management is something you probably do everyday but don’t realise it. Every day you use problem solving skills, set goals and manage your stress and your time - this is self management.

The continuing popularity of our book Exercises for people with MS demonstrates the desire to find simple but effective strategies for maintaining strength and fitness. To develop this, we have explored ways to present the exercises in a more efficient and tailored manner.

In MS self management includes: I Dealing with symptoms and relapses I Being a partner with health professionals in making informed choices about medicines and treatment I Making best use of available resources I Living well and accommodating MS into your life To help you approach these issues, MS and me, a self management guide to living well with MS, will be published in the spring.

Talking to the kids MS affects not only the person with MS, but the whole family. Discussing MS with children may seem daunting. Each family is unique and each person's experience of MS is different, so there is no right or wrong way to talk about it, just as there is no ideal time. The MS Trust's new book, Talking with your kids about MS, developed with neuropsychologist Jo Johnson, looks at the concerns parents may have, some of the things children may want to know and what other parents' experiences have been. I Talking with your kids about MS will be published in the spring and joins our range of publications for families: I Kids' guide to MS - for 6-10 year olds who have a mum or dad with MS I Young person's guide to MS - for 11-16 year olds who have a parent with MS I Talking about MS - factsheet To order books, contact the MS Trust at the address below or visit www.mstrust.org.uk/publications

The new version is a set of web pages that allow you to compile a personalised programme of exercises to meet your own particular needs. The exercises are arranged in categories based both on how they are done (eg standing exercises, hand and arm exercises) and the type of problems they address (eg exercise to help with posture, with balance or to build up strength). Each exercise includes clear, attractive diagrams, an animation to illustrate the movement and the option to download the individual page. Visit the Exercises web pages at www.mstrust.org.uk/exercises

Any questions? I I I I

I've read about a new drug in the newspaper... What treatments are there for my wife's fatigue? Are my symptoms MS? How can I explain MS to my colleagues?

These are just a few examples of the hundreds of calls, emails and letters received by the MS Trust Information Service each year. Our team will gather together reliable, independent information to match your needs to help you better understand symptoms and have informed conversations with your health professionals about treatment options. Our focus is on health information, but you can ask us anything about MS. If we are unable to find an answer ourselves we will try to direct you to organisations best able to help.

February 2010

Inside this issue...

Welcome to the first edition of Open Door for 2010

The nice things in life

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Staying smart

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2010 will be a challenging year, full of uncertainty in the NHS, the economy and the government with an election imminent. Uncertainty is nothing new for people who have MS. Aside from the variability of MS itself, another decade has passed and people are still having to fight for the specialist treatments, services and support they need. This is unacceptable and the MS Trust will continue to campaign for more specialist services and to plug some of the gaps in information, professional education and research; areas which we know are vital to people living with MS. The start of a new year is always a good time to take a look back and it is usually this time of year when we present our Annual Review - a snapshot of our work in the previous year. This year to save both production and postage costs we have decided to make it available from our website and I hope you will be able to take a look - www.mstrust.org.uk/annual_review. Looking forward, we have enclosed our latest publication list showing all the books and resources we will have available this year. Please pass this on to anyone who may find it useful. We are committed to continuing to provide all our books free of charge, but this is only possible thanks to the generosity of many of you who send donations, buy cards and fundraise for our work - a BIG thank you to all of you for all your support.

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Very best wishes for 2010

To ask your question, ring the Information Service on 01462 476700, email infoteam@mstrust.org.uk or write to us at the address below.

Pam Macfarlane Chief Executive

Fatigue chatroom Fatigue is the most common symptom of MS and one that can have a huge impact on the lives of people with MS. Share your thoughts and questions about fatigue with health professionals and other people with MS in our next chatroom in April. See www.mstrust.org.uk/chatrooms for details. If you are unable to make it to the chatroom on the day, post or email your questions or comments in advance to the address at the bottom of the page. If you would like an email reminder for future sessions, contact info@mstrust.org.uk

Multiple Sclerosis Trust Spirella Building, Bridge Road, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 4ET T 01462 476700 F 01462 476710 E info@mstrust.org.uk www.mstrust.org.uk

Also inside:

MS on a pedestal Amongst the 2,400 people who spent an hour on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square during 2009, Sarah Kerton and Emma Taylor used their slots to promote awareness of MS. Read more about Emma’s experience and why she did it on page 12

Registered charity no. 1088353

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Fatigue management

www.mstrust.org.uk

www.mstrust.org.uk

Call: 01462 476 700

Vitamin D and MS

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News

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Research news

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Standing up for MS

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Supporting the MS Trust

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Info Service news

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