SUPPORT GROUPS FOR LIVING WITH MS

Transcription

1 SUPPORT GROUPS FOR LIVING WITH MS Achieving emotional wellness is an integral aspect of MS management and the strategies needed to achieve it can be a high priority. To address this, the National MS Society offers a variety of support strategies to maintain or enhance emotional well-being in the face of MS-related challenges. We offer more than 40 professionally led support groups that cover a variety of topics for people living with MS and their family members. All groups are free and provide opportunities to discuss MS related concerns, experiences and resources. In-Person Groups Free of charge Face to face monthly groups for 90 minute sessions Meetings at locations throughout chapter area Conference Call Groups Free of charge one-hour sessions Monthly telephone connection with others living with MS Connect with others from the convenience of your phone Reduce isolation Online support groups! Join our online support community for people affected by MS. Make meaningful connections today at MSconnection.org. TO REGISTER Visit Call , option 1 Se habla español, marque opción 3 For a full description of support group options contact our call center or visit our website. Upon registration, your group leader will contact you. Please do not attend any group until you ve been contacted.

2 EMOTIONAL WELLNESS IN-PERSON MS SUPPORT GROUP LISTINGS You may register for as many in-person groups as are of interest to you. Groups meet once per month. GROUP NAME DATE/TIME LOCATION Adapting with Progressive MS Tuesday, 2-3:30 p.m. Westchester Black Voices in Connection Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m. Brooklyn But You Look So Well Wednesday, 6:30-8 p.m. Manhattan Coping with MS Wednesday, 12-1:30 p.m. Manhattan (person w/ms and/or family) Healthy Thursday, 12-1:30 p.m. Westchester Monday, 12-2 p.m. Manhattan Monday, 4-5:30 p.m. Manhattan Monday, 7-8:30 p.m. Queens TO BE DETERMINED Brooklyn Monday, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Bronx Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. Manhattan Managing MS on the Job Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. Manhattan Mind/Body Methods for Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Brooklyn Managing MS Stress Mindfulness and Meditation for MS Monday, 5:30-7 p.m. Manhattan Mindfulness and Meditation for MS Thursday, 10:30 a.m p.m. Staten Island Men Tuesday, 6:15-7:30 p.m. Manhattan MS Yoga and Therapeutic Discussion Monday, 6-7:30 p.m. Manhattan Newly Diagnosed, Varies, 6-7:30 p.m. Manhattan Intro to MS and the NMSS Newly Diagnosed Ongoing Group Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. Manhattan Spouses/Partners Wednesday, 6-7:30 p.m. Manhattan Twenties and Thirties with MS Networking Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. Manhattan Women 40+ Thursday, 5:30-7 p.m. Manhattan Groups open to family members are highlighted in gray; all other groups are for persons with MS.

3 EMOTIONAL WELLNESS CONFERENCE CALL MS SUPPORT GROUPS You may register for up to two conference call groups. Groups meet once per month unless otherwise indicated. GROUP NAME DATE/TIME Adapting with Progressive MS Monday, 3-4 p.m. Black Voices in Connection Monday, 2-3 p.m. Black Voices in Connection Thursday, 8:15-9:15 p.m. Café con Leche (en español) (un martes al mes) 2-3:30 p.m. Children ages 9-14 of parent with MS *Quarterly, Tuesday, 6-7p.m. Cognitive Concerns Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Coping with MS (person w/ms and/or family) Monday, 8-9 p.m. Coping with MS Using the Arts Thursday, 7:45-8:45 p.m. Family Caregivers Tuesday, 6-7p.m. Healthy Thursday, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Homebound Monday, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, 1-2 p.m. Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Living with Primary Progressive MS Monday, 1-2 p.m. Men Thursday, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Orthodox Jewish Women Monday, 8-9 p.m. Relationships Tuesday, 8-9 p.m. Stress Management Sunday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Teens Living with Pediatric MS Sunday, 5:30-7 p.m. Transitions and Transformations Thursday, 5:50-6:50 p.m. Triumph and Tears Thursday, 12-1 p.m. Women 40+ Wednesday, 6-7 p.m. Women 40+ Thursday, 7-8 p.m. Women s Issues and MS Monday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Groups open to family members are highlighted in gray; all other groups are for persons with MS.

4 DESCRIPTION OF MS SUPPORT GROUPS Adapting with Progressive MS: Individuals learning to adjust to changes with primary or secondary progressive MS. Coping with MS Using the Arts: (Telephone only) A forum for individuals to discuss the relationship between living with MS and art, music and writing. Black Voices in Connection: For black people of all cultural backgrounds living with MS. But You Look So Well: A time limited group focused on the changes that MS may bring for individuals living with the disease who do not use assistive devices or have visible symptoms. Café con Leche: (Por teléfono en español) Grupo telefónico de apoyo y educación en español para personas viviendo con EM. Children: (Quarterly by telephone only) Support for children between the ages of nine and 14 who have a parent living with MS. Cognitive Concerns: (Telephone only) Behavioral strategies to assist with memory and concentration. Coping with MS: A general support group for people with MS and/or their family members. Family/Caregivers: (Telephone only) Spouses, significant others, parents, adult children, siblings and other family members and/or caregivers of persons who have MS. Healthy : (In-person and telephone options) This group is led by a certified health coach and focuses on healthy living and nutrition options for people living with MS. Homebound: (Telephone only) For individuals living with MS who seek to reduce the isolation caused by a limited ability to leave their home. : For individuals seeking connection to reduce the isolating aspects of a primary progressive MS diagnosis. Managing MS on the Job: Group explores challenges and discusses strategies for balancing work life with MS. Men :

5 DESCRIPTION OF MS SUPPORT GROUPS, CON T Mind/Body Methods for Managing MS Stress: Group will examine MS related stress and teach members powerful mind/bodywork methods for dealing with it. Each session will include practice time. Mindfulness and Meditation for MS: Learn meditation, guided imagery and relaxation techniques for MS wellness. MS Yoga and Therapeutic Discussion: Integrating talk therapy with seated yoga postures participants gain insights into the mind-body connection, helping to support mental, physical and spiritual wellness. Newly Diagnosed, Introduction to MS and the NMSS: One session introductory group offered for individuals diagnosed within the past two years and their family and friends. Newly Diagnosed Ongoing Group: Monthly meetings for individuals diagnosed within the past three years and who have previously attended the introductory group. Orthodox Jewish Women Living with MS: (Telephone only) Relationships: (Telephone only) For individuals with MS experiencing significant difficulties in their relationships whether divorced, separated, or experiencing abuse. Spouses/Partners : Support and connection for significant others of people living with progressive MS. Stress Management: (Telephone only) Practical behavioral strategies to reduce MS stress. Teens Living with Pediatric MS: (Telephone only) Support group for year olds diagnosed with pediatric MS. Transitions and Transformations: (Telephone only) For those managing major life changes MS has brought while seeking to cope with the disease and allow for quality of life transformations. Triumph and Tears: (Telephone only) People living with MS for 10 years or more, discussing in-depth feelings as well as day-today living. Twenties and Thirties Networking Group: Discussion and networking group for individuals years old living with MS. Women 40+: Women living with MS who would like to discuss how chronic illness impacts their roles in relationships, parenting, the workplace and self-care.

6 733 Third Avenue, Third Floor. New York, NY Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped NATIONAL MS SOCIETY SUPPORT GROUP PROGRAM CONNECTING PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MS TO ONE ANOTHER TO SHARE LIFE EXPERIENCES AND SOLUTIONS FOR MOVING THEIR LIVES FORWARD. IMPORTANT NOTE: GROUPS WILL MEET ONCE A MONTH UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED Optimize quality of life with MS by also participating in our wellness programs that support fitness and socialization, October through December, To learn more visit and click on Health and Wellness or call , option 1.