The MS Society offers a variety of programs
to help people affected by multiple sclerosis effectively manage
and cope with the disease. MS can be quite challenging at times,
but through the support offered by the MS Society, no one has to
face these challenges on their own. The following programs are offered
in most chapters and units:
The most frequent request that the MS Society receives from
people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is for information
about the disease. You can turn to the MS Society to find credible
and reliable information about MS diagnosis, symptoms, treatments,
research, programs and other topics such as employment, insurance
and family issues. We provide resources to meet your needs,
whether you have MS, are a caregiver of someone with multiple
sclerosis, a spouse or partner, a parent of a child with MS,
or a teen with MS.
In addition to providing information on multiple
sclerosis and related issues, the MS Society provides referral
services and connects people with MS and their caregivers to
vital community support resources. Depending on the community,
people with MS may have access to a wide range of programs and
services such as exercise classes, transportation assistance,
homecare and many others. On a community-by-community basis,
the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada maintains a database
of appropriate resources that can help people manage MS and
cope with it in their daily lives.
There is no charge to obtain information
or referral services. However, information is distributed with
the understanding that people use it for their own use and not
for reproduction or profit. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of
Canada is a licensee of ACCESS and abides by Canadian and international
copyright law.
The MS Society of Canada can help you navigate
the challenges that multiple sclerosis presents through our
supportive counselling services.
Supportive counseling provides people with
MS as well as their families and friends with reliable, up-to-date
information on multiple sclerosis, a compassionate and accepting
space in which to share your questions or thoughts. We can also
help you identify options or solutions to your unique concerns
and circumstances.
If you are someone with MS, someone going
through the diagnosis process, or close to someone with MS and
have questions or concerns, please contact us. We can talk about
what you are going through. Call your local MS Society division
office at 1-800-268-7582 or to find the nearest MS Society office,
visit In Your Community.
The MS Society does not provide therapeutic
counselling, which is a process between a qualified professional
counsellor and an individual.
It may be difficult at times to talk about MS related symptoms with family and friends who may not grasp what it is like – but it can be very helpful talking to other people who share, or have shared, similar experiences. Self-help and support groups are not limited to people living with MS, many Chapters and Divisions have groups for caregivers, family members and parents of children living with MS.
What are self-help and support groups?
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Self-help groups are an informal way to link people who share common concerns or experiences. All self-help programs have the same goals: to give and receive emotional support, and to give and receive practical ideas in dealing with problems common to members of the group.
Self-help is based on the idea that no one knows more about a problem than those living with it. Each person is an expert because of his/her own experiences.
What is the difference between a self-help group and support group?
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A self-help group is facilitated by a volunteer supervised by the MS Society of Canada who is also a member of the same self-help group.
A support group is facilitated by an individual external to the group that has expertise in providing assistance in the role of facilitator. This person is supervised by the MS Society of Canada and may be a staff person, volunteer or non-MS Society of Canada paid facilitator.
Both groups offer a wide range of assistance to their members.
How are the meetings structured and where do they take place?
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Self-help and support groups are coordinated by local MS Society Chapter or Division offices and are facilitated by MS Society of Canada trained staff or volunteers. Each group has at least one trained facilitator as well as a group supervisor. Supervisors are MS Society of Canada staff or volunteers who have been designated by their Division office to supervise and administer group activities.
Group meeting locations vary, however each group supervisor will ensure the location is fully accessible and safe for all members.
What can I expect from my self-help or support group experience?
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In a self-help group, individuals share not only their problems but their successes. Sharing and talking with others who have had either the same or similar experiences, helps people to discover they are not alone and that there are others who understand what they are going through. Support and self-help programs may not solve all problems, but they do offer realistic support, encouragement and hope and are one of the most valued services the MS Society offers.
Will information discussed in the group be shared?
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No. Confidentiality is a key component of all support and self help groups.
How do I find out about self-help and support groups in my area?
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Please contact your MS Society division office at 1-800-268-7582 or to find your closest MS Society office, visit In Your Community.
How do I become a facilitator or start a self-help group and/or support group in my area?
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Anyone interested in becoming a facilitator must undergo a screening process, followed by facilitator training through the MS Society of Canada. Please contact your local MS Society office and ask to speak to the self-help and support group supervisor for more information.
The MS Society of Canada developed nationwide Self-Help and Support Group Standards and Operational Practices, to be followed by any group operating under the MS Society of Canada name. If you would like to know more about starting a group, please contact your local MS Society office.
Yes. Currently the Manitoba and Quebec Divisions of the MS Society of Canada oversee online support services including discussions boards and chat rooms. Although these online services fall under the MS Society of Canada banner, they are not nationally administered.
In English:
MSdiscuss.com
A friendly place to talk with other people living with MS.
MSforParents.com
Facts and advice to assist you in helping your children better understand and cope with multiple sclerosis in the family.
MSforTeens.com
Learn more about MS and communicate with other teens like you.
MSforKids.com
For children who have a parent with MS.
Please also see the list below for several other credible organizations who maintain chat rooms or discussion boards for people affected by MS. The MS Society of Canada is not responsible for the administration or content of the following online resources.
In English:
The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) offers a unique online mutual support forum, which is user-friendly and free to subscribers. This online forum provides a safe environment for people affected by MS to share diary entries, communicate using instant messaging and create buddy lists. Join MSIF’s My World of MS.
The National MS Society’s online community chat room and message board, MSWorld® Inc., provides a global virtual community of support to people living with multiple sclerosis. The site’s sole mission is to create a safe, informative, useful, and fun place for people to meet, share ideas and gain useful resources to help manage and cope.
Jooly’s Joint is an online community based out of the United Kingdom that offers support to people living with MS, as well as their families and friends. This online community was created in 1995 by Julie Howell, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 20.
Recreation programs provide opportunities
for people living with MS to have fun, highlight the positive,
rediscover old pleasures and regain self confidence. They encourage
people with multiple sclerosis to try new activities, get together
with others, make new friends and to mingle in a friendly and
caring atmosphere.
Recreational programs can take many forms.
Some chapters have developed swimming programs, tai chi, yoga
classes, social activities, "day away programs" and
summer programs.
Other chapters have developed partnerships
with local community groups or organizations who provide programs
that accommodate persons with physical disabilities i.e., YMCA,
March of Dimes, Centres for Independent Living, etc.
Social programs offered by chapters and units
give members the opportunity to meet face to face on a casual
basis and can serve to celebrate the work of the chapter. The
most common social events include Christmas parties and summer
barbeques.
The MS Society offers two types of funding;
equipment purchase and permanent loan as well as special assistance
programs. Please note that funding programs vary from province-to-province.
The MS Society of Canada does not offer financial
assistance for medications or disease modifying therapies, however,
for information on funding programs for medication / therapies,
please visit Modifying the Disease Course.
Equipment purchase or permanent
loan
The most common service provided by most
divisions and chapters is assistance with equipment to help
people with MS maximize their quality of life. Divisions and
chapters manage this service in various ways:
Information and advocacy to assist people
in understanding the resources available to them through their
own benefits programs and the provincial health system, etc.
Full or partial purchase of equipment
or permanent loan
Special assistance
Special assistance programs provide limited
financial assistance to people with MS to cover services that
are not available through any other government or community
agency. In some cases, special assistance funds may also be
used to augment existing services that do not meet the needs
of individuals living with MS (i.e. to supplement a chronic
home care program).
The goal of the program is to enhance quality
of life and encourage the person with multiple sclerosis to
maintain as much physical independence and emotional well being
as possible.
Due to limited resources, funding programs
are not available in all chapters and divisions. Items that
are funded through special assistance programs may also vary
from office to office.
The most frequent request that the MS Society receives from
people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is for information
about the disease. You can turn to the MS Society to find credible
and reliable information about MS diagnosis, symptoms, treatments,
research, programs and other topics such as employment, insurance
and family issues. We provide resources to meet your needs,
whether you have MS, are a caregiver of someone with multiple
sclerosis, a spouse or partner, a parent of a child with MS,
or a teen with MS.
