MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS Volume 1• Issue 4 Lone Star Chapter Lone Star Chapter Offers Texas Welcome to Society’s National moving Conference at Hyatt together Regency Dallas The eyes of Texas – and the United States – are turning to the Lone Star Chapter in the movement toward a world free of MS. undreds of volunteers and MS momentum by focusing on how we build clients will take part in Lone a stronger MS movement together. Star Chapter Day at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s 2007 We will also honor outstanding volunteer HNational Conference in Dallas Oct. 25 at the leaders and hold the chapter’s Annual Hyatt Regency at 300 Reunion Blvd. The Meeting to elect new volunteer officers to conference is a “meeting of the minds” – the the Board of Trustees. greatest minds working today in finding a cure for MS. The Lone Star Chapter invites you to take part in this inspirational event that brings The conference offers opportunities to hear together people who want to do something about the latest cutting-edge research, MS about MS now. progress updates and personal stories from those who are committed to a world free Event registration is $40. For details and of MS. registration, call 1-800-344-4867 (press 2) or visit JointheMovement.org. The theme of the 2007 event is Moving Forward Together. It continues our shared INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Relationship Matters Faces of MS Water You Waiting For? MS Walk Page 4 Page 7 Page 11 Page 17 New MS Resources Check into Chapter Library 1-800-344-4867 The Lone Star Chapter Publication of the National Multiple has the following new Sclerosis Society resource materials in its Lone Star Chapter MS Library: Austin – Corpus Christi – Dallas – Houston Fort Worth –San Antonio “Air Mask: Poems of Passion, Love, Life and Board of Trustees Chair Survival” MS Resources Henry Noey This book of poetry by New library items First Vice Chair Vanita Oelschlager speaks Jim Tidwell to the physical and emotional details of her Secretary husband Jim’s challenges with MS. Gerald Merfish Treasurer “Multiple Sclerosis for Dummies” Nick Lomonte This 2007 guide gives advice on treatment, Chapter President/CEO managing symptoms, staying healthy, Mark Neagli maximizing health insurance, dealing with Newsletter Editor relapses and more. James Black “Talking with Your Children about If You or Someone You Know Has MS Multiple Sclerosis” Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future This DVD for parents and children has real-life disease activity and improve quality of life for many stories about three families living with MS, an people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health animated explanation of MS and advice from care professional or contact the National MS Society parents for parents. at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-344-4867 to learn about ways to help manage multiple “Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis” sclerosis and about current research that may one This 2007 book teaches a variety of yoga poses day reveal a cure. to combat fatigue, reduce spasticity, relieve The National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not stress and increase range of motion. Photos endorse products, services or manufacturers. and descriptions illustrate each pose. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The National These materials and others are available for Multiple Sclerosis Society assumes no liability free check-out to MS clients. For information for the use of contents of any product or service on these and additional MS Library resources, mentioned. contact Valencia Lane, Coordinator, Chapter and Information provided by the Society is based upon Clinical Programs, at [email protected]. professional advice, published experience and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions. The National For the Latest MS News and Updates Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all Get the latest news on MS research, clinical questions and information be discussed with a trials, support groups and happenings within personal physician. the Lone Star Chapter with the MS E-Connection, distributed monthly by e-mail. To subscribe, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS. send an e-mail request to jblack@nmsslonestar. org today. © 2007 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter 2 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org Message from the President CHAPTER NEWS We’re Making a Difference NOW he National the North Central Texas Chapter, based in Multiple Fort Worth, is joining forces with the Lone Sclerosis Star Chapter. With this strategic step, the Society is on Lone Star Chapter now serves more than Tthe move to make 20,000 men, women and children living the world free of with MS in 174 counties, more than half MS. MS stops people the state of Texas. We’re actively listening from moving; we to your thoughts, needs and concerns, and exist to make sure responding and taking timely action. Our it doesn’t. For that journey is a shared one, and I openly welcome reason, we’re taking your insight as we move together toward a bold, decisive steps world free of MS. to make a difference Mark Neagli now. We’re also making a difference in the way President/ CEO we communicate. Starting with this edition We’re making a of the MS Connection, we’re boldly making difference in raising funds to support MS the movement against MS a personal one, research and client services. I’m proud to with engaging first-person stories from report that our 2007 Houston-to-Austin people who share the daily challenges and BP MS 150 is rolling toward a record $13.2 experiences of living with MS. We trust you’ll million, again making it the Society’s largest enjoy the improved look and personality of single fund-raising event. Our Frisco-to-Fort your MS Connection. Worth SAM’S CLUB MS 150 is on track to a record $2.3 million this year and October’s The National MS Society is making a Valero MS 150 is set to blaze its own fund- difference. We’re moving lives forward raising records. Chapter-wide MS Walks through awareness, connection and and Dinners of Champions, along with participation. Our shared destination is a year-round traditional giving and major gift world free of MS. donations, also strengthen our mission and our resolve. Mark Neagli President/CEO We’re making a difference in providing vital Lone Star Chapter client services and advocacy programs for National MS Society everyone affected by MS. We are people [email protected] committed to doing something about MS NOW and our client services – ranging from professional referrals and educational REGISTER & VOTE! programs to symptom management Election day is Nov. 6. The last resources and weekend camps for those with day to register to vote is Oct. 9; MS and their families – exemplify our intense early voting opens Oct. 22. Voter commitment. In this issue, you’ll also read registration cards are available at about our dynamic advocacy efforts on the most area post offices and public state and national levels. libraries. For information on the November election, visit the Texas We’re making a difference by being inclusive Secretary of State Web site at and united in helping people with MS. www.sos.state.tx.us today. As mentioned in the last MS Connection, TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 3 Relationship Matters: A Program for Couples Living with MS aving a satisfactory relationship is • Adapting: Financial Planning for a hard work even in the best of times. Life with MS MS can make it even harder. Couples MS can be an expensive disease. Learn living with MS face many unique the basic steps of planning for a financial Hchallenges because the disease can often be future that includes MS. unpredictable. • Career Crossroads: Facts and Fiction The Lone Star Chapter is Employment concerns create stress excited to be a part of a and MS can exacerbate those concerns. new program specifically Learn how to manage potential designed to help couples employment issues as a couple. negotiate and manage this uncertainty, “Relationship • Having Fun Together Matters: A Program for MS may interfere with the things you Couples Living with MS.” enjoy doing as a couple. Learn how to still have fun in new and adaptive ways. The Relationship Matters program helps you and • Intimacy: Enriching Your Relationship your partner minimize the Talk about the tough issues that can get impact of MS on your lives in the way of true intimacy. You will learn through a creative mix of creative ways to address and overcome interactive courses: these issues in your relationship. • Improve communication and learn to resolve conflicts In addition, the Lone Star Chapter is hosting • Learn how to have greater fulfillment in an in-person workshop, “Managing MS as a your partnership Team: Taking Charge Together!” Learn real-life • Learn how to manage the disease as a relationship techniques from other couples team living with MS. This fun, informative in- • Develop skills for life person workshop is facilitated by relationship • Help your partnership thrive experts Len and Cheryl Chatman, a couple living with MS. The workshop will be hosted Through this program, couples learn and in the Dallas area in October. For details, apply skills to deal with challenges related contact Susan La Combe, Programs and to multiple sclerosis through the following Services Manager, at 1-800-686-7415 or classes: [email protected]. • Communications and Conflict Registration is ongoing. For more Resolution: Facing Opportunities and information, call 1 -800-344-4867 or e-mail Challenges Together [email protected].