NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
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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.
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Request the MS Update electronically by sending an email to info@fightms.com with the subject line: “Go Orange!” Help us conserve!
“Go Orange!”
November 2010
Hampton Roads Chapter 760 Lynnhaven Parkway Suite 201 Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Please note that the chapter office will be closed for Thanksgiving starting Nov. 24. We will re-open on Nov. 29.
November is National Family Caregivers Month
November Self Help Groups For more detailed information on times and locations, call the chapter office at (757) 490-9627.
New Teleclass Programs from Reltionship Matters: A Program for Couples Living with MS
Nov. 3 @ 10 am- Gloucester Group Riverside Wellness and Fitness Cntr. (7516 Hospital Dr.)
We are happy to announce two new free teleclass series for couples living with MS, “8 Hours to a Lifetime of Relationship Satisfaction” and “Jumpstart Your Relationship: Reclaim Your Well-Being.”
Nov. 4 @ 10:30 am- African American Inspirational Group Hampton Public Library (936 Big Bethel Road) For more information contact VeeGee at (757) 746-2103 or veegee215@yahoo.com.
“8 Hours to a Lifetime of Relationship Satisfaction” is the foundational teleclass series for couples. Participants learn the essential skills and communication methods that are necessary for a healthy relationship. For many, this is a refresher course to strengthen both skills and commitment. Others find the information and materials provide a valuable way to learn (and in some cases unlearn) skills, attitudes and behaviors that lead to a more successful way of relating. You can expect some discussion about MS, but the focus for this course is on the couple and the relationship. “Jumpstart Your Relationship: Reclaim Your Well-Being” was developed in collaboration with Can Do Multiple Sclerosis. Different from the 8 Hours teleclass series, this curriculum, while teaching basic communications skills, does so within the context of living with MS. Each weekly call focuses specifically on MS symptoms, while discussing healthy ways to talk about symptoms and the emotional reactions they create, as well as practical communication strategies to deal with particular symptoms. Each teleclass series class takes place over a period of six weeks, with each call in the series lasting an hour and 30 minutes per week. Both teleclass series are currently being offered and additional classes are scheduled through June 2011. Pre-registration is required so that small groups can be formed. The groups will remain together for the duration of the six week series. This allows participants to become better acquainted and develop more trust, which leads to a deeper level of sharing and growth. Couples interested in registering for a teleclass may either call 757-490-9627 or email couplesprogram@nmss.org.
Nov. 9 @ 11:30 am- Virginia Beach Morning Group Frankie’s Place for Ribs (5200 Fairfield Shpg. Cntr., VB) For more information contact Pete at (757) 497-6594 or petercarolhennessy@gmail.com. Nov. 10 @ 5:30 pm- Williamsburg Group James City County/ Williamsburg Community Center For more information contact JoAnn at (757) 220- 0902. Nov. 11 @ 5:30 pm- Peninsula Evening Group Sentara Careplex Hospital (Conf. Room A) For more information contact Diana at (757) 722-2492.
The National MS Society has collaborative partnerships with two organizations whose sole missions are to reduce the feelings of isolation families living with MS may experience during times of medical crisis.
Nov. 16 @ 7 pm- Chesapeake Group Lifestyle Fitness Center @ Ches. Regional Medical Center For more information contact Margie at (757) 482-3247.
Lotsa Helping Hands (www.lotsahelpinghands.com) is a free web-based service that allows family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues – the community circle of a person with MS – to more easily assist with household tasks that can become a burden during times of medical crisis. It’s an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meal delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during times of medical crisis, or family caregiver exhaustion. It is also a place to keep these ‘circles of community’ informed with status updates, photo galleries, message boards, and more.
Nov. 17 @ 6:30 pm- Suffolk Group Magnolia United Methodist Church 1764 Wilroy Road, Suffolk, VA For more information, please contact Willie Ann at (757) 539-0139.
CaringBridge (www.caringbridge.org/nationalmssociety) is a free one-stop shop that connects and updates communities of support on a person’s ongoing health status, treatment, surgeries, progress in therapies and recovery. A personalized CaringBridge website helps keep others informed during difficult times. In return, family and friends give support through guestbook messages. Every personalized CaringBridge website includes: Patient care journal, Guestbook for messages, Photo gallery, Free online support for using the service.
Nov. 17@ 3 pm- Southside Group Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library (VB, VA)
Online Communities of Support
Find someone to chat with on the web at www.msworld.org.