SPRING 2014CENTRAL VALLEY: PROGRAMS & SERVICES IN YOUR COMMUNITY

RELATIONSHIP MATTERS: 8 HOURS TO A LIFETIME OF RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTIONHaving a successful relationship is hard work even in the best of times. MS can make it even more challenging. The National MS Society is proud to offer a program specifically designed to help couples negotiate and manage the uncertainty of living with multiple sclerosis - Relationship Matters: 8 Hours to a Lifetime of Relationship Satisfaction.

The Relationship Matters program exists to help you and your partner minimize the impact of MS on your lives by:• Improving communication and problem

solving skills• Learning how to manage MS as a team• Developing skills for life • Helping your partnership thrive

Couples participating in the program have theopportunity to engage in creative and interactive course curricula designed to deal with challenges related to MS. Participants willacquire the skills and access resources to moresuccessfully manage the effects of MS on yourrelationship. When you know how to take charge as a couple, MS doesn’t have to rule your relationship.

Please join us in Livermore on Friday and Saturday, May 31st - June 1st at the Hilton Garden Inn. The program is $50 per couple and hotel rooms are $99 per night. Space is limited. To register call 1-800-344-4867. ◊

CENTRAL VALLEY: PROGRAMS & SERVICES SPRING 201408

UPCOMING PROGRAMSRegistration is required for all programs. To register, visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/can or call 1-800-344-4867.

Rally in the ValleySaturday, April 12th

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Oakdale Golf & Country Club243 N. Stearns Rd., Oakdale

Join us as we come together in support of Walk MS: Modesto. Enjoy an appetizer buffet and live music from Home Grown. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Central Valley Team Captains who have the most ticket sales in support of their team will win the night’s ticket proceeds to put towards their team’s fundraising! We will have a Walk MS info table where you can register for Walk MS: Modesto or start a walk team. Bring your family, friends and team mates! For information or to register, contact Sheila Doberenz at 209-214-6022, ext. 73027.

Newly Diagnosed OrientationTuesday, May 6th

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.National MS Society Office422 McHenry, Modesto

If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. You may be feeling overwhelmed by the diagnosis, and unsure of what questions to ask or who to talk

to. The National MS Society has developed the Newly Diagnosed Orientation so you can get the information and support you need to live comfortably and confidently with this change in your life. Friends and family are welcome for this overview of MS facts and how the Society can help you.

Yoga Class for People Living with Multiple SclerosisTuesdays: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Accident and Injury Center1419 Standiford Ave. #1, Modesto

Yoga combines breathing with movements that can alternately stimulate or calm the body. Many people with muscle tightness or decreased range of motion find that yoga practice brings noticeable improvement. Because yoga is relaxing and noncompetitive, it is especially recommended for people with MS.

For more information, please contact instructor Richard Parenti, Spiritual Director for the Yoga Health Institute, at 209-380-5955. Learn more about Richard and the Yoga Health Institute at www.yoga-ehealth.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIABay Area• Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life with

MS, Mondays: April 21st - May 9th in Walnut Creek

• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on May 7th in San Francisco

REGISTER AT NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG/CAN | 1-800-344-4867 09• Relationship Matters in Livermore on May

31st - June 1st

• Take Charge on June 20-22 in Oakland

Greater Sacramento• A Night at the Ballpark on April 15th in

Sacramento• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on May 1st

in Carmichael• Mix and Mingle Networking Hour on

June 18th in Sacramento• Have MS, Will (Still) Travel: Tips for

Traveling with MS on May 14th in Carmichael

• Free From Falls on Wednesdays from May 21st - July 9th in Citrus Heights

• Mix and Mingle Networking Hour on June 18th in Sacramento

North State• Lagunitas Brews and Blues Against MS on

March 31st in Petaluma• Chair Yoga with the Eureka Self-Help

Group on May 3rd in Fortuna

South Bay• Horse Power: Living Strong with MS on

Thursdays from April 3rd - May 8th and May 29th - July 10th in Gilroy

• Everyday Matters, five-week series beginning on April 8th in Santa Clara

• Care Partners of MS Social on April 12th in Santa Clara

• Newly Diagnosed Orientation on May 6th in Santa Clara

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• Morning Tea: Tea Party for Mothers, Daughters, Sisters and Friends on May 17th in San Jose

• Wine Down Wednesday on May 21st in Los Gatos

• Take Me Out to the Ball Game at the San Jose Giants on June 13th in San Jose

• Gentle Yoga for People with MS, ongoing series on Thursdays in Saratoga

SELF-HELP GROUPS

MERCED COUNTY• Merced: MS Challengers - Susan: 209-

631-7279

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY• Manteca - Sue: 209-482-7034• Stockton AM - Laurie: 209-915-1730,

Velma: 209-951-2264• Stockton PM - Brenda: 209-951-0536,

Mary: 209-334-5670• Tracy - Linda: 209-833-6882

STANISLAUS COUNTY• Modesto - Marti or Jane: 209-521-8956• Turlock - Bill: 209-664-1427, Frances:

209-667-2184

TUOLUMNE COUNTY• Sonora - Stephen or Gloria: 209-532-5646

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 201410

MEET YOUR NEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

My name is Sheila Doberenz, your new Community Development Manager in the Modesto office. I create programs for people living with MS, as well as manage Walk MS: Modesto. I am so happy to support you in any way I can, and I am excited to be a part of the National MS Society.

My background is in non-profit fundraising, program development and event planning. I enjoy outdoor activities, travel and spending time with family and friends. I love to help people and meet new friends.

Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns, or to register for Walk MS at 209-214-6022, ext. 73027 or email me at sheila.doberenz@nmss.org. I look forward to meeting you soon.

GET WHEN I WALK SHOWN IN YOUR AREA

An emotional documentary filled with unexpected moments of humor and joy, When I Walk is a life-affirming film driven by a young man’s determination to survive - and to make sense of a devastating disease through the art of cinema. In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when suddenly he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love.

Bring When I Walk to your local theater with Tugg! Tugg is an online platform that gives individuals and organizations a cost-free way to host movie screenings in their local theater. Visit www.tugg.com/titles/when-i-walk and create an event. Next, select a theater and date. Once your event is created, spread the word to pre-sell the tickets. Once your ticket sales reach the required minimum, the movie will be shown. The Chapter is happy to help you advertise your event to get the tickets sold. E-mail jennifer.gawler@nmss.org for assistance.

FIND CONNECTIONS AT MSCONNECTION.ORG

Create a profile and browse people, discussion boards and the blog. Or start your own discussion group and get input from community members. With MSConnection.org, you don’t have to face MS alone. Care partners, family, friends and those with MS are all welcome. Make every connection count by visiting www.msconnection.org.