Information service news New publication A new edition of At work with MS: managing life and work is now available. The book considers some of the ways in which MS might affect work, what adjustments can be made for a successful working life and the protection from discrimination under the Equality Act. The book also includes tips and advice from people with MS. The new edition encourages people to unpick the problems they are experiencing and develop action plans to tackle each issue. Order your free copy from the MS Trust or read, order or download from www.mstrust.org.uk/pubs
Information Service We believe that people with MS should have the opportunity to be actively involved in the management of their condition. The Information Service can help you get the information you need to achieve this. Our focus is on health information. Recently the most frequently asked questions have included information on new treatments such as fingolimod and fampridine, how to contact MS nurses around the country, questions from people recently diagnosed or still going through the diagnostic process, and issues to do with employment. We will gather reliable, independent information to help you decide how to approach issues that concern you and to have informed discussions with your health professionals. If we are unable to find an answer ourselves, we will try to direct you to other people better able to help.
Inside this issue...
February 2012
Welcome to the first edition of Open Door in 2012
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 Registered charity no. 1088353
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www.mstrust.org.uk
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Dating
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“it takes just three words to tell someone they have MS and a lifetime for them to find out what that means.” People with MS never forget what it was like when they received their diagnosis. Some avoid the subject altogether, but many go away and try to find out everything they can. In the past there was very little available. Now you can press a few keys and get to 15 million references on a single Google search. That is where we come in, translating all this information into something meaningful - whether that’s being on the end of the phone, on the web, here in our regular newsletter Open Door or in our publications. Having good information to help you make the right decisions, at the beginning of a journey with MS is really important and we want to make sure that we are delivering what is needed at that time. To do this, we need your help. If you have been diagnosed with MS in the last five years please have a look at our latest project on page 2. If you would like to help, do contact Ros. We look forward to hearing your views. This copy of Open Door also contains our publications leaflet, which is a reminder of all that our information service currently offers. Please pass it on to anyone who may find it useful.
How a new drug is developed
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MS Awareness Week - 30 April to 6 May - is an ideal opportunity to increase the understanding of MS. We have enclosed a poster of our plans for that week and we would be grateful if you could display it locally. Do contact us if you would like to get involved. Thank you for all your support and very best wishes for 2012.
Also inside:
Publications The publication leaflet enclosed in this issue of Open Door gives information on the range of books, factsheets and DVDs available from the MS Trust. All of these items can also be read, ordered or downloaded from www.mstrust.org.uk/pubs
Diet
Pam Macfarlane Chief Executive
Have you been diagnosed with MS in the last five years?
Newly diagnosed research
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News
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Research news
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Writing
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We are looking for your help.
Fundraising
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See page 2
Info service
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www.mstrust.org.uk
Freephone: 0800 032 3839