WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHERBY JANINE VANIER

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

I was fi rst diagnosed in 1987 with the loss of vision in my left eye. It was a relief to fi nally know but at the same time, there were no therapies, no diagnosis of the different courses of the disease, and I was basically just told to make sure that I had good medical coverage and long term disability insurance.

As a single mother of two small children, I was absolutely terrifi ed of becoming a burden and being unable to care for my family.

For years I lived in denial and fear, not telling anyone except for a few of my family members. Starting in 1993, I began participating in Walk MS, telling people “I know someone who has MS.” In 1998, that all changed when I began asking for help for myself. The gates opened. I felt like I was “newly diagnosed.” I joined a support group, went to workshops, started letting people know that I had MS and was ready to help others living with MS.

The Chapter gave me the encouragement, confi dence and tools I needed to reach out to the important people in my life and so I wrote many letters disclosing my MS and creating awareness about MS itself.

My family, my offi ce co-workers, my employer (I work for Teamsters Local 853 in the East Bay), and friends all got together and formed my incredible Walk MS team, the TeamMSters!

Since the birth of the TeamMSters, we have raised over $492,080.00!

The inspiration and help I receive from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is immeasurable. I am thrilled to be able to give back to the Society what they have so freely given to me; their support, dedication, lots of HOPE, and the reason to believe that multiple sclerosis will soon be a disease of the past.

We invite you to walk with Janine and others affected by MS this April and May at one of12 Northern California walk sites. Money raised at Walk MS events funds innovative programs and services and critical research focused on stopping the progression of MS, restoring function that’s been lost, and ending MS forever. Step by step, dollar by dollar, Walk MS is changing lives. Register today at www.walkmsnorcal.org.

Janine Vanier and Mark Gagliardi

Newly Diagnosed Orientation

Wednesday, May 2, 20126:30 -8:30 PM

National MS Society San Francisco Offi ce

1700 Owens Street, Suite 190 San Francisco, CA

Are you newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. This informative program will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed as well as family and friends who want to learn more. Join trained National MS Society staff and an RN specializing in MS, and discover resources and answers to your MS questions.

Pre-registration is required. To register, please visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 800-344-4867.

Sausalito Kayaking Adventure

Saturday, June 2, 20129:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Schoonmaker Marina, Sausalito

Grab a paddle and climb aboard: our trained guides from ETC (Environmental Travel Companions) have experience leading sea kayaking trips for persons with disabilities. This activity is great for folks of all mobility levels, but only those ages 12 and older, please. Previous experience is not necessary. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up and reserve your spot early! Please bring a hearty lunch for a picnic on the beach and snacks that are easy to eat on the water (i.e. granola or energy bars). Equipment, safety gear and instruction are provided.

Please email Joy O’Donnell at joy.odonnell@nmss.org (or call her at 415-230-6677, option 2, ext. 73016) for pricing information and to register.

A New Study for People with MS who have Problems with Walking and Balance

Do you have problems walking or keeping your balance? Have you fallen in the last 12 months? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you might want to call about participating in a study looking at placing small amounts of weight on the body to see if it improves your ability to balance and move more easily. Subjects will come to Samuel Merritt University in downtown Oakland once for about 4 hours total. As a participant, you will be asked to complete several surveys and several tests that measure how well you can maintain your balance and see how well you can stand up, walk, and turn. You will be allowed to rest whenever you need it. As a thank you for participating, you will be given two free movie tickets when you complete the study. Gail Widener, PT, PhD and Diane Allen, PT, PhD are the researchers conducting this study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

If you are interested please contact the Research Laboratory at Samuel Merritt University at (510) 869-6511, ext 4411.

Bay Area Self-Help Groups CogniFitness

Keep the Mind MovingFridays starting June 15, 2012

10:30 AM - 12:00 PMNorthern California Chapter Headquarters

1700 Owens Street, Suite 190San Francisco, CA

• Do you fi nd it diffi cult to focus on a task without getting distracted?

• Do you have diffi culty fi nding words or fi nishing your sentences?

• Do you often have a hard time keeping track of activities & appointments?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this program is for you. CogniFitness is a fun and educational 8 week series that will help keep the mind moving and develop new techniques to strengthen cognitive skills. Realize your optimal thinking skills utilizing techniques that have everyday applications.

Learn to: • Facilitate focus and concentration• Improve memory using new strategies• Improve organization, problem solving &

critical thinking skills• Manage cognitive fatigue

Pre-registration is required. Please visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 800-344-4867 for pricing and program information and to register.

ALAMEDA COUNTYAlamedaSharon 510-521-6260 or Ray 510-522-5210Berkeley Lunch Group (meets periodically) Toni 510-653-4534Central BerkeleyAudrey 510-287-6543East Bay Lesbians Nora 510-313-3862FremontKim 510-793-0765OaklandKatrina 510-523-1891Oakland: African Americans Karen 510-757-3290 Oakland: LatinosElsa 510-777-1414CONTRA COSTA COUNTYBrentwood MS for lunch bunch Kathy 925-286-7674 or Julie 925-513-4686Mt. Diablo (Concord)Cindy 925-677-0737 or Jan 925-372-0859El Cerrito Elizabeth 510-549-2154 MARIN COUNTYCorte Madera Vicki 415-892-7370 or Anita 415-892-5548 SAN MATEO COUNTYFoster CityEli 650-377-1970San Mateo George 650-593-5154SAN FRANCISCO COUNTYSan Francisco Young at Heart GroupGeorge 415-724-0064 SF Potluck Luncheon (meets periodically) Karen 415-584-6115The Northern California Chapter Facebook

page has over 2,150 fans and counting. Become a fan today and get connected to other people living with MS.

www.facebook.com/msnortherncal

FACEBOOK

Central ValleyPlay Ball! - April 14

Newly Diagnosed Orientation - May 1Insurance Appeals Workshop - May 12

Navigating Systems & Community Resources - June 14

South Bay AreaFall Prevention Workshop - June 2

Newly Diagnosed Orientation - May 17Self-Advocacy Skills Training - June 30

Yoga for MS - ongoing

SacramentoStrike Out MS Night - April 13

MS, Memory & Concentration - April 17Newly Diagnosed Orientation - May 3

Terry Rossman MS Golf Experience - May 11Connecting through Clay - May 19

North Bay Kayaking- June 2

Eureka Yoga Retreat - June 23

Visit nationalMSsociety.org/can to register and for full program descriptions.

What’s Happening Around the Chapter

Accessible from the Comfort of Home

New! Online Newly Diagnosed OrientationThursday, May 17th & Thursday, June 14th

6:00 – 7:30 PMOnline and over the phone

Are you Newly Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. This web based program will be conducted by Dr. Elizabeth Crabtree, Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at UCSF and Director of Patient Program Development at the UCSF MS Center. Dr. Crabtree will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed. This orientation provides an excellent opportunity to have any questions you may wish to ask answered and learn more about the resources available to persons living with multiple sclerosis. A phone and computer with internet access will be necessary to join this program. Please call 800-344-4867 or visit www.nationalmssociety.org/can to register for this program.

Pain Management - New ProgramComing Soon! – Date & time TBD

Online and over the phone

Stress, pain and discomfort are very common in MS. MS creates its own emotionally taxing predicaments, not the least of which is dealing with the unpredictable course of this disease. Furthermore, some studies suggest that over 55% of people living with MS had “clinically signifi cant pain”. Almost half (48%) were troubled by chronic pain.

This program will be facilitated by Dr. Pearl Werfel, a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience. Her areas of expertise include living well with MS and other chronic illness and anxiety, stress and pain mitigation.

If pain and discomfort are symptoms that you experience, we invite you to join the Northern California Chapter in a chapter-wide program starting this spring. Please call 800-344-4867 for more information.