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HORIZON
September 2014 The West Island Multiple Sclerosis Self -Help Group
3869 Des Sources blvd, Suite204, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Qc H9B 2A2
tél.: 514-676-1588 email: [email protected]
Upcoming events Sept. 16: visit to Jude Pomme Orchard, Oka Dec. 14: Christmas Party
If you are still writing return addresses on
envelopes or still buying Christmas cards then
you're not giving to the right charity.
The right charity will provide you with stick on
labels showing your return address. The right
charity will supply you with enough Christmas
Cards or birthday cards or get well cards or any
kind of card you can think of. All gimmicks to get
you to donate to a particular cause.
Of course there are also other ways that charities
use in order to secure your donations.
Over 30 years ago Terry Fox began his Marathon
of Hope by dipping his artificial leg into the
Atlantic Ocean. He had hoped to run across
Canada and dip his leg into the Pacific ocean but
unfortunately his cancer returned and he had to
give up his Marathon in Manitoba. Terry
succumbed to his illness but his legend lives on.
The Terry Fox foundation has raised more than
$650 million for cancer research and continues to
touch people and inspire them to donate.
Recently Clara Hughes joined the Bell let's talk
initiative to help raise funds for mental illness.
Clara, a medalist in both summer and winter
Olympics and someone suffering from a mental
illness rode her bike through all of Canada's 10
provinces and 3 territories. She ended her run on
Canada Day, July 1, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
To date the Bell let's talk initiative has raised
more than $67.5 million for mental health
research.
The latest initiative to raise money for charity is
the ALS ice bucket challenge. ALS, sometimes
called Lou Gehrig's disease, affects 2005 to 3000
Canadian and has no knowing cure. Life
expectancy for those afflicted by the disease is 2
to 5 years with few exceptions. Apparently
pouring a bucket of ice over oneself simulates the
feelings those afflicted by ALS have.
It's a simple challenge. Someone nominates you
and you must either donate $100 to ALS or poor a
bucket of ice water over your head and donate
$10 to ALS also nominating three others to
participate in the challenge. To date the initiative
has raised $67.5 million.
Let's look at something else. We live in a world
that is not in harmony. The war in Syria is now
into its third year which has left much of the
country devastated. It is estimated that even if the
war ended today it would take 10 years to rebuild
Syria. We cannot begin to fathom the monitory
cost of that conflict. It is estimated that over 1
million people are now refugees as a result of the
ongoing war.
We now have a problem in the Ukraine which
does not appear to be ending soon. When it does
end some country will have to pay millions to
rebuild the shattered mess that they will inherit.
The Israelis and the Palestinians hopefully have
just ended their latest conflict. It is estimated that
Israel alone spent more than $30 million American
for each day of that conflict. The conflict lasted 50
days which means it cost Israel more than $1.5
billion, that's right billion not million to wage war.
Who knows the final figure to rebuild Palestine
and repair shattered lives?
Canada has indicated that it will replace its aging
fighter jets. The present government is leaning
towards replacing these planes with F 18
manufactured in the United States. Some people
have speculated that the actual cost of replacing
our fighter jets with F 18's would be over $10
billion. That's a lot of research dollars we could
otherwise be using.
Imagine, as John Lennon said, a world without
war and what we could do with the money we
save. . - Tom
40 years of helping people afflicted
with Multiple Sclerosis
OUR SUMMER
BBQ – 40th anniversary
This year’s annual barbecue, held at the Surrey Center on July 14th marked
the 40th year of the WI MS self-help group.
The steak lunch was excellent and plentiful. The event was bitter sweet as
it was also Anne Kearnan’s last official day with the group. Nicole Montpetit
presented her with a lovely coffee-table sized travel book and a souvenir
photo album which Nicole spent much time preparing to make sure every
member was included. Anne will certainly not be able to forget us!
Happy 40th Anniversary to a group that keeps on giving…
Congratulations Madeleine on 40 years!
Media coverage: The Suburban July 23rd, 2014, page 15
Camp for the West-Island MS Group
Who would have thought that at our age, we
would participate in a summer camp! There
have to be advantages to having MS! Starting
Monday , although we were among the
youngest in the group , we felt that our
presence was much appreciated and that we
would have fun during this week of camp. We
also realized that we would not be sleeping
much ... and yes, there are uncomfortable
mattresses, snorers , night owls and some
noisy dreamers ! Tuesday , we went on a
beautiful lake by Rabaska. Our rowers worked
very hard despite some who were talking
rather than rowing and others that preferred
splashing us.. Thank goodness for Martin,
who didn’t let us down !
Then there was shuffleboard, bingo, poker,
card games ... A lot of activities to be had. It
was a beautiful week filled with discovery ,
friendship and respect for one another. At
camp, no one is judged , there are no
differences , everyone is equal . We had the
chance to meet people with whom we do not
have the chance to speak with regularly on
Mondays and Thursdays. There are also all the
volunteers who accompanied us, served and
helped us all week. Without them, the week
would not have been the same. Thank you.
Well, we look forward to camp next year so we
can laugh, have fun and also to forget, forget
that we are disabled, sick, different but at
camp, we forget all of that for one week, and
that certainly does a lot of good.
- Geneviève and Annie
First time camper
I loved camp! What an initiation and
what a wonderful experience to have
with 31 friends. Congratulations to all
the teams - les débutants, the happy
team, cinq étoiles, hahaha, les étoiles
and les sympatiques. The games,
activities, Rabaska and Pontoon ride
were fabulous. There was shuffleboard
and a corn roast where Queen Maureen
and King Jean-Yves were crowned by
their predecessors. The best part of all
though is by far the people. I enjoyed so
very much sitting and talking with most
every one at camp. Even though we
were only together for 4 days, I came
home feeling as if I had known everyone
for over a year. Thanks for a great
experience. Looking forward to next
year! - Nicole D.
Etincelle Camp
A & W, Cruising for a Cause
The A&W day for MS took place on
Thursday August 21st and was a great
success Thank you to everyone who
bought a Teen Burger on this special
day. See you next year !
…and from across the country!
Here I am in Vancouver enjoying A&W Cruising for a
Cause on August 21st, with my grandkids.
Miss you all so much!
- Anne
Exercice combats illness
I felt the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in
September 1992 during a difficult trial; I obviously
did not know what I had and after two weeks of
hospitalization and multiple tests, the neurologist
gave me a diagnosis of cerebral thrombosis; it was
not until 1997, almost five years later, that I learnt
that I have secondary progressive type MS, the
worst and most disabling.
Instinctively, I immediately began to do a lot of
exercises and signed up at a gym; nevertheless,
the disease progresses, I walk with a cane with
difficulty, and my wife drives my car; Needless to
say, my memory, my balance and many other
functions are impaired.
I am a very determined person and I decided to
work harder than the disease. I refuse to let it
dominate my life so I do more and more exercise, a
lot of pool time, yoga, and I sign up at EPIC, the
gym at the Montreal heart institute.
In summary, I declined for 10 years, and now I've
been improving for 10 years. I'm finally grasping
the disease that no longer dominates my life.
Misfortunes never come alone, and in 2010, I had
heart issues and had to undergo open-heart triple
bypass surgery. With 7 weeks of hospital, I came
out very weak; but I increased the pace of my
exercises, even though is was often difficult.
Today, I have a scooter that I use for long distances
on average 2 times a week but I'm walking without
a cane and limping only slightly.
In 2013, I followed an aquafit class for regular
people and joined the gym at Hotel Dieu. To start,
my ability was measured on an inclined treadmill. I
manage 1.58 minutes at 2.67 Metz; in January
2014, after 24 sessions, I passed a new test and I
lasted 10 minutes at 6.9 Metz, while a man of my
age is 7.0 or 7.1 Metz on average.
I still have some symptoms of MS, but nothing too
pronounced. So I feel I've almost beat the disease.
My neurologist who has been following me for 15
years said that my symptoms have almost
disappeared.
It thus clear to me that exercise is the best
medicine, and that we must work harder than the
disease. - Jean-Yves
The French version of this article appeared in the
March 2014 Horizon newsletter.
Starting in Spring 2015, Post Canada will cease
door to door delivery in several Montreal regions
including Dorval and Lachine – which will be
affected first. What does this mean for disabled
customers? According to Post Canada
spokesperson, Kateri Saumure,
“There will be no change in the delivery method
for clients who live in residenial buildings,
condos and old-age residences and who already
receive their mail in the front hall of their
building” specifies Kateri Saumure,
spokeswoman for the Canadian Society.
If you need special accommodations, because
you have significant mobility issues and lack
alternatives to access a community mailbox,
please call Post Canada directly at 1-844-454-
3009.
Source: Le Méssager, Lachine et Dorval; August
15th, 2014
Post Canada to Roll out Home
Delivery Changes
In Spring 2015
The exercice combats illness article was
realized through a grant from Biogen Idec.
RESULTS Thank you to all those who fundraised
for this cause that is so dear to our
hearts. 256 walkers took part and there
were 23 teams in all for the West Island.
Once again, our top fundraiser for the
West Island is…drum roll please…
Top fundraiser: Robin Little $8,594.75
Total raised: over $100,000
Top fundraiser team:
West Island Roadrunners (57
members) $ 26,499.75
Looking forward to seeing you all again
next year on Sunday May 24th 2015.
2014 MS WALK RESULTS
Ginger Petty Picnic
On Wednesday, August 6th, we were invited to a picnic
on Ile Bizard hosted by Mrs. Petty. Over 30 members
spent a lovely day at the waterfront estate and were
fed lunch and entertained by bag pippers and funny
games. The party was marvelously organized and a
very particular attention was given to every detail.
Thank you very much Mrs. Petty. We enjoyed
ourselves tremendously.
THANK YOU Our thanks to Nicole Duchastel, Anne Kearnan, Tom Ramsey, Carmen Basler, Danielle Tisserand, Michèle Paré, Robin Little, Helena Langdon, Sonia Moreno, Tara Devine, Jacqueline Brodbeck.
Our sincere condolences to Mary McDonough whose brother Kenny McDonough passed away on 14 aout.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
It's already time to start thinking about the
Christmas Party. This year, it will be held on Sunday,
December 14th, at the Karnak Centre, 3350 Boul.
des Sources Dollard des Ormeaux. Sign up now
by phone:514-676-1588 or by email:
AQUAFITNESS
The Aquafit sessions, tailored to our needs,
resume Thursday, September 18th, at the Dollard-
des-Ormeaux Aquatic Center, 12001 De Salaberry.
When: Thursdays 10:30 to 11:15.
Think about joining us this fall.
CONDOLENCES
September 9th Care Givers Meeting
September 15th Monday Meeting
September 16th Apple Picking
September 18th Aquafit
September 22nd Monday Meeting
September 25th Aquafit
September 27th Quebec Summit on M.S.
September 29th Monday Meeting
October 2nd Aquafit
October 6th Monday Meeting
October 9th Aquafit
October 13th No Monday Meeting
October 16th Aquafit
October 20th Monday Meeting
October 23rd Aquafit
October 24-26 Congrès Espoir famille
October 27th Monday Meeting (Halloween )
October 30th Aquafit
November 3rd Monday Meeting
November 6th Aquafit
November 10th Monday Meeting
November 13th Aquafit
November 17th Monday Meeting
November 20th Aquafit
November 24th Monday Meeting
November 27th Aquafit
December 1st Monday Meeting
December 4th Aquafit
December 8th Monday Meeting
December 11th Aquafit
December 14th Christmas Party
December 15th Monday Meeting
December 18th Aquafit
December 25th Merry Christmas!
Congrès ESPOIR FAMILLE There is still time to register for the Espoir
famille Conference taking place in
Sherbrooke from October 24th-26th. There will
be fascinating workshops and lots of activities
for the whole family! Please do consider
joining us. More information is found at
scleroseenplaques.ca/qc/espoirfamille or by
contacting Mylène at 514-875-4591.