NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
NORFOLK, VA PERMIT #162
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hampton Roads Chapter 760 Lynnhaven Parkway, Suite 201 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 Toll Free: 1-800-FIGHT MS Local: 757-490-9627 Fax: 757-490-1617 Web: www.fightms.com
Talk to your health care professional and contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT MS to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.
Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDAapproved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis.
Spread the Word
Request the MS Update electronically by sending an email to info@fightms.com with the subject line: “Go Orange!” Help us conserve!
“Go Orange!”
July 2011
Hampton Roads Chapter 760 Lynnhaven Parkway Suite 201 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Please note: the chapter office will be closed July 4th.
For more information or to register, please contact the Chapter office at 757-490-9627 or visit our website at www.fightMS.com>Programs and Services tab.
Advocate on behalf of people with MS! Your public officials want to hear from you! Visit your legislators in their district offices this summer to share your story and advance the mission of the National MS Society. The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its regular session in April. However, our state legislators remain hard at work in their district offices – close to the constituents they serve. Now, is the perfect time to meet legislators in a casual setting; outside of the busy legislative session. This summer, volunteer to talk to a legislator about your connection to multiple sclerosis and how it has impacted your life. Then, address one or two issues that are important to you such as increasing access to affordable housing or accessible transportation. Personal stories are often what compel legislators to create laws and change policy! Follow your visit with a thank-you note and continue sharing and communicating with your legislator throughout the year. If you would like to represent the Hampton Roads Chapter and meet with your local legislators to talk about MS and our priority issues, please contact Ashley Chapman at ashley.chapman@nmss.org or (804) 591-3048. Ashley can guide you through the process of setting up a district visit, review the National MS Society’s priority issues and give you a list of talking points to steer your conversation. Thanks for keeping our advocacy efforts moving this summer!
Online Classes Available for People Living with MS The National MS Society offers a variety of online interactive classes for people living with MS and their families. The classes cover a range of topics from working with your healthcare team to career decisions and financial planning. Online learners can take as many courses as they are interested in, at no charge to them or chapters. Learners work through the classes at their own pace and on a timetable that best meets their schedules. Available Classes: •
Adapting Financial Planning for a Life with MS...Together
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Career Decisions: Relationship Matters
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Intimacy: Enriching Your Relationship
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My, Live, My MS, My Decisions o Teaming Up with Your Healthcare Providers o Navigating the Medication Maze o Considering Clinical Trials o Optimal Wellness
To begin learning, you will first need to create an account on the online system (https://gm1.geolearning.com/geonext/nmss/ login.geo). To create your account: 1. Click “Request a new account.” 2. Type “NMSS MS Classes” in the “Add Reason” field. 3. Complete New Account form. 4. Once logged in, select the “My Courses and Course Catalog” at the top of the page 5. Select the “Catalog” feature in the column on the left 6. Now you should see all the course selections to choose from.
July Self Help Groups For more detailed information on times and locations, call the chapter office at (757) 490-9627. July 6 @ 10:30 am- Gloucester Group Riverside Wellness and Fitness Cntr. (7516 Hospital Dr.) July 7 @ 10:30 am- African American Inspirational Group Hampton Public Library (936 Big Bethel Road) For more information contact VeeGee at (757) 696-2540 or veegee215@yahoo.com. July 12 @ 10 am- Virginia Beach Morning Group Kempsville Library (832 Kempsville Road) For more information contact Pete at (757) 497-6594 or petercarolhennessy@gmail.com. July 13 & 27 @ 5:30 pm- Williamsburg Group James City County/ Williamsburg Community Center For more information contact JoAnn at (757) 220- 0902. July 14 @ 5:30 pm- Peninsula Evening Group Sentara Careplex Hospital (Conf. Room C) For more information contact Diana at (757) 722-2492. July 18 - Elizabeth City Group Please contact Melvin at (252) 335-9158 for group time and location. July 19 @ 7 pm- Chesapeake Group Lifestyle Fitness Center @ Ches. Regional Medical Center For more information contact Margie at (757) 482-3247. July 20 @ 6:30 pm- Suffolk Group Magnolia United Methodist Church (1764 Wilroy Rd.) For more information, please contact Willie Ann at (757) 539-0139. July 27 @ 3 pm- Southside Group Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library (Auditorium) 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. VA Find someone to chat with on the web at www.msworld.org. Connect with an MSFriend at 866-673-7436, 7am until Midnight ET.