msc mi vol 8 iss 2

8/6/2019 MSC MI Vol 8 Iss 2

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MOVING TOWARD A WORLD FREE OF MS | VOLUME 8 EDITION 2

MSCONNECTION

JOIN THE MOVEMENT JOIN THE MOVEMENT JOIN THE MOVEMENTJOIN THE MOVEMENT JOIN THE MOVEMENT JOIN THE MOVEMENTJOIN THE MOVEMENT JOIN THE MOVEMENT MICHIGAN CHAPTER

The Michigan Chapter participated in the nationwide Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, March14th March 20th. Volunteers and staff united in a series of awareness building activities and eventsthroughout the state that engaged thousands of people in the movement to create a world free of MS.

MS AWARENESS WEEK 2011 IN MICHIGAN

INSIDETHIS ISSUE

Its Complicated!PAGE 4

2011 Scholarship WinnersPAGE 6

Camp IndependencePAGE 5

Rock MSPAGE 8

Continued on page 2


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MSCONNECTIONA PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONALMULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY,MICHIGAN CHAPTER

21311 Civic Center Dr.Southfeld, MI 48076-3911

Ph: 800 344 4867 or 248 351 2190

Fax: 248 350 0029

E-mail: [email protected]

Chapter Chair Dean Munger

Chapter President Elana Sullivan

Newsletter Editor Chris Collins

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society

does not endorse products, services or

manuacturers. Such names appear here

solely because they are considered valuable

inormation. The National Multiple

Sclerosis Society assumes no liability

or the use o contents o any product or

service mentioned.

Inormation provided by the Society is

based upon proessional advice, published

experience and expert opinion. Inormation

provided in response to questions does not

constitute therapeutic recommendations

or prescriptions. The National Multiple

Sclerosis Society recommends that all

questions and inormation be discussed

with a personal physician.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is

dedicated to ending the devastating eects

o MS.

Copyright 2011 National MS Society, Michigan Chapter

2 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Read the highlights from the week:

MEDIA

The National MS Society received mediacoverage throughout the week and many

media personalities wore the color orange in ashow of support for people living with MS inMichigan:

n Alicia Smith, Vic Faust, Erin Nicole, andKeenan Smith the entire 7 Action News

This Morning crew in Detroit - all woreorange on-air one day and talked about MSAwareness Week

n Jake Dunne & Evan Pinsonnault of

WLNS TV 6 in Lansing and Mojo, theafternoon host on rock radio station Q106FM in Lansing, all wore orange ties whilepromoting MS Awareness Week

n Paul W. Smith wore an orange tie andtalked about MS Awareness Week onNewsTalk 760 WJR radio

n Fox 2 Detroits Deena Centofantiinterviewed the Flaherty family of Almont,

MI for a story entitled Kids Can Get MSToo. Eleven year old Claire Flaherty wasdiagnosed at age 7 with multiple sclerosis

n Dan Miller, Fox 2s Sports Director alsowore an orange tie and mentioned MSAwareness Week during his sports reports

n TV 7&4 News Today anchor MelissaSmith interviewed National MS Societyvolunteers Fred Schaafsma and Dr. Eileen

Schweickert in a segment that aired inTraverse City and northern Michigan

n Many notable business and civic leaders alsowore orange in a show of support for peopleliving with MS in Michigan, including:

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano

MS Awareness Week 2011 continued from pag

Continued on page 3


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NEWS

PROCLAMATIONS

Proclamations for MS Awareness Week wereissued in the following Michigan cities andtownships:

OTHER EVENTS & ACTIVITIESn Comerica Bank employees held a kick-off

for Walk MS at their Auburn Hills facilityand asked employees to wear orange for MSAwareness Week

n Altair Engineering held a kick-off for BikeMS and Walk MS at its headquarters in Troyand asked employees to wear orange for MSAwareness Week

n Facebook friends painted Facebook orange byposting the MS= as their prole picture

n Hundreds of pizza boxes from Happys Pizzadisplayed our orangeyacurious.com websiteto raise awareness

n NBS Trucks displayed the MS Logo on theirtrucks for the week a eet of nearly 100trucks

n On The Border and Olgas Kitchenrestaurants in Michigan donated a percentageof sales to the National MS Society during MSAwareness Week

n Livonia

n Redford

n Westland

n Garden City

n Huron Township

n Southeld

n South Lyon

n Dimondale

n Rochester

n Dearborn

n Warren

n Rochester Hills

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel andhis entire staff

Tony Welsh AAA of Michigan

James Brancheau Altair Engineering

J.D. Purvis BASF Mike Lawson Comerica Bank

Dave Kepler Dow Chemical Company

Paul Mascarenas, Raj Nair, Jerry Brown Ford Motor Company

Diana Tremblay General Motors

Mark Petroff Marketing Associates

Stuart Elsea & Duke Hynek

Real Estate One

ADVOCACY

On Wednesday, March 16th, MS AwarenessResolutions were introduced in the MichiganSenate and Michigan House of Representativesby Senator Vincent Gregory of Southeld andRepresentative Ellen Cogen Lipton of HuntingtonWoods. Society volunteers were acknowledgedfrom the oor of the Senate and House while the

resolutions were introduced.Over a dozen Society volunteers and staffdelivered information about multiple sclerosisand care packages of oranges to the ofces of allrepresentatives and senators, 148 in total.

Representative Richard Hammel, the Houseminority caucus leader sent an email to encourageall caucus members to wear orange in honor ofMS Awareness Week.

MS Awareness Week 2011 continued from page 2


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LIVING WITH MS

RESEARCH

ITS COMPLICATED!Sue Chapman, MA, MSW

Isnt that the pat response to any of lifessituations that confront us? Okay, so when itcomes to MS and the challenges of aging, it canget pretty dicey, dare I say it? Complicated!Ask anyone over the age of 55 and theyll tellyou quite handily about the dilemmas theyface on a daily basis; memory lapses, arthritis,lack of energy, and all that extra time it takes

just to get moving in the morning. Even vanitycan become problematic; wrinkles and agespots can be vexing to even the least vain folks.Its trite but very true, old age isnt for sissies.

Today well examine the senior years throughthe prism of someone with MS.

In general, seniors with MS have learned tocope with changes as they come, but beware

not to blame everything on MS. Healthissues in the senior years can mirror MSsymptomatically, yet not be MS. If memory lossincreases, dont ignore it, let your doctor know;there may be medications that can help.

Assess your situation. Inwardly, take inventoryof your strengths as well as vulnerabilities.Positive thinking and optimism will be vitalto you during this time. Emotionally, fear

can consume your thoughts; whats next ifsomething happens to my spouse or caregiver?Families today can be very spread out,increasing feelings of isolation and loneliness.Depression can be frequent, even chronic;again, let your doctor know. Being passivetoward your situation will not be of any help.

The senior years require planning andforesight especially when compounded by MS.Outwardly, who are your best friends, wherecan you nd support; church, synagogue,support groups? Examine your living situation.If independent living is no longer an option,there are many senior living apartmentsoffering various levels of care you could

explore. The National MS Society is a greatresource for housing referrals. As well, theyhave friendly listeners with whom you canspeak and monthly support groups you canattend. They have referrals to counselors as welas frequent programs offering many copingstrategies and suggestions for effective living.

The rst step is yours to take; its denitelydifcult but the next will come more easily.

Youll make friends along the way who will liftand inspire you with their own courage. Dontwait to make the call: 800-FIGHT MS. It willdenitely help to uncomplicate your life!


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LIVING WITH MS

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 5

CAMP INDEPENDENCESummer means the chance to change our routine to

head outside and enjoy all that the warmer weatheroffers. There are longer days lled with sunshineand evenings with light breezes. Many people usesummer as an excuse to head out of the city andenjoy nature. We are fortunate enough to live inMichigan where there are opportunities to enjoynature in many ways. Perhaps you enjoy the water orthe forest. If so, both are available at Bay Cliff HealthCamp in Big Bay, Michigan, this August.

Bay Cliff,locatednorthwest ofMarquette onLake Superior,provides a weekof activitieseach year foradults withdisabilities.

Called Camp Independence, this year it will be heldAugust 21 through August 27. The program offersthe opportunity to participate in recreational andsocial activities associated with a camp experience.Campers enjoy things like shing, kayaking, an artsprogram, hiking, and singing around a campre. Allof the activities are conducted under the direction ofan attentive and caring staff.

If this seems like a place youd like to spend someof your summer, call Bay Cliff Camp at 906-345-9314 or visit their website at www.baycliff.org torequest an application. Applications will be availablebeginning July 15th. The cost of camp is $250. Ifyour application for camp is accepted and youneed nancial assistance to cover the cost, contactthe Michigan Chapter. A limited number of partialscholarships are available by calling 800-344-4867,Option 1.

SUMMER IS HERE!Check out these tips to help keep your

summer cooler: Cool Beverage - Keep a plastic bottle

half-lled in the freezer and top it offwith water, you will have water thatstays cool all day

Spray instead - Sweat evaporatingon skin is how your body stays cool.Carry water in a spray bottle andwet your shirt and hat for the same

effect. Stand in front of a fan forinstant A/C

Dress light and loose - Loose cottonblends and micro-ber fabricsallow perspiration to evaporate. Trya wide brim hat. Canvas or meshsneakers are cooler than leather

Heat is no fun for people with MS

and the Natioal MS Society is here tohelp keep you cool for the summer.Window air conditioners are availableto be shipped directly to your home. Tohelp you enjoy outdoor fun, additionalcooling devices are also available,including neck wraps, vests, wristbands and head bands. An applicationis required and you must meet ournancial assistance qualications. If

you have MS and are affected by theheat, please contact 800-344-4867,Option 1, for more information.

Learning to Kayak


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CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING AND CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS

Invitations for the Chapters Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition Celebration to be held inNovember will be coming in the mail early this fall.

The Board of Trustees of the National MS Society, Michigan Chapter is elected at the Chapters AnnuaMeeting each year. If you are interested, or know of someone who is interested in serving on theBoard of Trustees, please send a letter expressing that interest and a resume to the Board of TrusteesGovernance Committee, c/o the Michigan Chapter, 21311 Civic Center Drive, Southeld MI 48076prior to October 29, 2011.

If you have any questions, please call Chapter President Elana Sullivan at 248 351 2190 oremail [email protected].


NEWS

Rasmeet Singh, KaleighSwanson and Kurt Frasier arethe recipients of the MichiganChapters 2011 scholarshipawards. Michigan high schoolseniors who have multiplesclerosis (MS) or a parent withMS are eligible to apply forscholarships. Also, high schoolgraduates (or GED) of any age

who have MS or a parent withMS are eligible. Applicantsmust also plan to attend anaccredited post secondaryschool for the rst time.

After graduating from Adlai Stevenson HighSchool, Rasmeet will attend University ofMichigan. She plans to study Computer Science.

Kurt is headed to University of Michigan afterpicking up his diploma from Richmond High

School. He plans to studyNeuroscience/Brain, Behavior,and Cognitive Science. Kaleighwill graduate from LakelandHigh School and is lookingforward to starting at WayneState University in the fall. She

plans to get her Doctorate of Physical Therapydegree.

The annual scholarship program opens inthe fall of each year and applications will beavailable. Amounts vary from year to year, butthis years recipients received a $1000 award.

To learn more about the National MS SocietyScholarship Program call 800-344-4867,Option 1 or visit our website atnationalMSsociety.org.

ANNOUNCING 2011 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Rasmeet Singh Kurt Frasier

Kaleigh Swanson


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PROGRAMS & ADVOCA

ITS TIME TO SPEAK UP!

Reaching out to your legislators locally can be effective. You can inuence MSissues, while staying close to home.

The Government Relations Committee in Michigan is excited to announce the4th annual In-District Meetings Tele-training. The purpose of the effort is tohelp every Michigan legislator understand the needs and concerns of the MScommunity.

We call it In-District because appointments are arranged between you, a voter,and a legislator in your legislative district; in other words, close to your home.

You arrange a date, time, and location with your legislator.

We are offering a toll free telephone conference to help you feel condent and well-informed duringthe interaction with your legislator. Pick the training date and time best for you. The choices are

Tuesday August 2, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. OR Thursday August 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. The call will help youlearn about issues relevant to you and others with MS. You participate in the call from your home orany other location you choose.

Contact Ruth Linnemann, (517) 339-6002, [email protected]. Register on the chapterwebsite by July 28, 2011 at nationalMSsociety.org/mig.

MS Service Day is a volunteer service day

organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis(MS) Society Michigan Chapter. On this dayteams of volunteers complete projects at thehomes of people living with MS.

It will involve over 50 volunteers on ten differentservice projects to benet people with multiplesclerosis and their families. Projects will include:yard work, moving furniture, heavy cleaning, andother home projects.

Volunteers will gather at the National MSSociety Michigan Chapter headquarters inSoutheld and leave for project sites by8:30 a.m.

This years event will take place on Friday,

August 5th. Last years pilot effort was a hugesuccess for ve families in Southeast Michigan,so we are doubling our effort. All ten familiesmust be identied by July 1, 2011.

One recipient from last year wrote, The hardworking volunteers from the National MS Societymade our house absolutely sparkle. Thank you for

giving us this incredible gift.

We are targeting people with MS who livewithin ten miles of the Chapter ofce at21311 Civic Center in Southeld. To requestan application or receive more information,please call TODAY at 800-344-4867, Option1. Applications must be received by June 20,

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY 2011


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FUNDRAISING

Walk MS is the rallying point

for the MS movement, acommunity coming togetherto raise funds and celebratehope for the future. Theres stilltime for you to join us at one

of the four remaining Walk MS locations thisyear. Whether its walking, volunteering orsimply being there to raise awareness aboutMS, everyone plays an important role. Believethat you can help because every movement

you make and every dollar raised supports themission of the National MS Society.

Join us at one of these Walk MS locations:June 25 Traverse CitySeptember 10 Grand Haven & MilfordSeptember 17 West Branch

For more information or to register today,

visit our website: walkMSmi.org or call248-936-0343.

Four Rides.One Destination.A World Free of MS.

Take the challenge and joinus for the ride of a lifetime at

Bike MS! We offer four rides for cyclistsof all abilities. Each ride offers stocked reststops, bicycle mechanics and rider assistance,a commemorative T-shirt, a nish linecelebration with great food and fun, and thesense of accomplishment that comes withhelping to create a world free of MS. Not acyclist? Volunteers are also needed and wewelcome your help.


THERES STILL TIME TO ROCK MS!

Pictured above: Mojo (left), the afternoon host on rock radio station Q106 FM, helped to kick-off Walk MS in Lansing along with histeam The Q Crew. Over 880 people walked in Lansing on April 30th, the rst weekend of Walk MS events in Michigan this year.


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FUNDRAISING

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 | 9

2011 BIKE MS Ride Dates & LocationsWest Michigan June 11-12Mid Michigan July 16-17Fall Breakaway September 17Bavarian Breakaway September 24-25

For more information or to register todayvisit our website: bikeMSmi.org or call248-936-0343.

Spring has nally arrived inMichigan and Golf MS is in fullswing. If you love the game of

golf and want to play 36 holesofFREE golf and raise fundsto help create a world free of

MS, this event is for you. To sign up today, visitgolfMSmi.org.

For more information about Golf MS, or ifyou are interested in hosting your own golfrelated event or activity such as a companygolf outing, call Bill Pikarski at 248.936.0350

or email [email protected].

Join us for the 10th Anniversaryof the International da VinciAwards recognizing innovativeassistive and adaptivetechnologies. This gala awardspresentation will be held on

September 22nd at the Henry Ford Museumin Dearborn, Michigan. Nominate a product,sponsor the event, buy tickets, or ask howyou can get involved at daVinciAwards.org oremail us at [email protected].

Making Strides AgainstMultiple Sclerosis (MSAMS)is a group of dedicated runnerswhose single cause is to helpcreate a world free of MS

through awareness and fundraising. Youcan participate in any running event heldanywhere in the country, including marathons,5Ks, relays, etc. The funds you raise will behonoring MS research, treatments, education,and supporting clients and family membersthroughout Michigan.

For more information visit our website:nationalMSsociety.org or contact BrisRoberts at 248-936-0365 [email protected].

Women on the Move,one of the NationalMS Societys premierfundraising events, isan empowering way

for women to support those whose lives areimpacted by MS. Multiple sclerosis is mostoften diagnosed between the ages of 20 & 50and two-thirds of those diagnosed are women.

The 1st Annual Women onthe Move Luncheon will takeplace on Tuesday, August 30that the Westin Book CadillacDetroit Hotel. The First Lady

of Detroit, Yvette Bing, is theHonorary Chairperson of thisevent that will bring womentogether to learn more about

multiple sclerosis and raise funds to helpcreate a world free of MS.

Detroits FirstLady, YvetteBing

GOLF


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FUNDRAISING

10 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety org

THANK YOU SAMS CLUB!

In just 6 short weeks,

Sams Club raised over$1.1 million nationwideto benet the NationalMS Society! 600 clubsparticipated across the

US, 44 chapters plus Hawaii and PuertoRico will receive nancial supportresulting from grass roots fundraisingtactics such as donation jars, hotchocolate, chili and caramel apple sales,

Walk MS sneakers, Join the Movementbracelet sales and more. In Michigan,Sams Club employees raised $31,000!

Sara Lee & Sams Club Summer BunProgram

Through participating Sams Clublocations, May 7th through June 26th,Sara Lee will be donating 5 cents for

every 16-count hamburger and hot dogbun sold to the National MS Society.To build awareness for Bike MS and topromote in-store product sales, SaraLee will be producing custom end-aisledisplays for participating Sams Clublocations.

The participating Sams Clublocations in Michigan are in Portage

and Ypsilanti:

Portage Sams Club7021 S. Westnedge Ave.Portage, MI 49002

Ypsilanti Sams Club5450 Carpenter Rd.Ypsilanti, MI 48197

We will soon be announcing the keynotespeaker and it will prove to be an exciting

event that you will not want to miss.

If you would like to host a table orpurchase tickets, contact Patti Radzik at(248) 936-0342 or [email protected].

MS Activists in Lansingand on Capitol Hill

MS activists spoke ardently at the thirdannual MS Day at the Capitol. RepresentativeEllen Lipton, of Ferndale inspired activiststo boldly present the needs of people withMS to Michigan legislators. We advocatedfor home care within three programs MIChoice, the Home and Community BasedMedicaid Waiver program, chore services in

Medicaid Home Help, and Meals on Wheelsfunding through the Ofce for Services forthe Aged. Delegates requested that legislatorssupport bills that will protect vulnerable adultsfrom fraud and abuse. Finally, they relayedopposition to legislation that will compromisethe ethical conduct of stem cell research.

Women on the Move continued from page 9

msc mi vol 8 iss 2

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