msconnection 1999 #4

The National MS Society...One thing people with MS can count on.

MSConnectionNorthern California Chapter1999 #4

Tips from Toni..page15 New Regulations....22 Sonoma Waves....24

A D A P T I V E

A D V E N T U R E S

Mountain Biking (page 25)

Gardening (page 18)

Snow Skiing (page 14)Water Fun (page 12)

MS Connection is the quarterlynewsletter of the Northern CaliforniaChapter of the National Multiple Scle-rosis Society. It is mailed free of chargeto chapter members.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Societyis proud to be a source of informationabout MS. Our comments are based onprofessional advice, published experi-ence, and expert opinion, but do notrepresent therapeutic recommendationor prescription. For specific informationand advice, consult your personal phy-sician.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Societydoes not endorse products, services, ormanufacturers. Such names appearhere solely because they are consideredvaluable as information. The Societyassumes no liability whatsoever for theuse or contents of any product or ser-vice mentioned.

© 1999National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Northern California Chapter150 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: (510) 268-0572Fax: (510) 268-0575

E-mail: info@nmss–nocal.orgWeb: www.nmss–nocal.org

Chair SecretaryJill Wright, MD Marc Stolman

Vice Chair TreasurerKathleen Maureen LuceyO. McEligot Mihelich

Chapter Programs ChairJoan Hall-Feinberg

Chapter PresidentJulie E. Thomas

Newsletter EditorVeronica Navarrette

Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS1999 #1 2

I N T H I S I S S U E

From the Wellness CoordinatorLiving Well ........................................ 3

FeaturesTherapeutic Horseback Riding ........ 4Outward Bound with MS.................. 6Sailing with MS............................... 10Whitewater rafting, kayaking andfun!................................................... 12Adaptive Snow Skiing.................... 14Raising a Garden............................. 18A One-Off Tracking Adventure....... 25

Health FocusThe Jimmie Huega Center ............. 16

In Every IssueTips from Toni .................................15Online with Bill Lind ....................... 20

MS & The LawNew Airline Regulations................. 22

Speak OutThe Jogger ...................................... 17

VolunteersVolunteer Opportunities................. 22Client Delivers Wellness ................ 23

FundraisingRiding the Sonoma Wave .............. 24READaTHON Results ...................... 26Making Giving Easy ....................... 27

MilestonesTen Years and Still Counting!........ 32

ListingsRecreation Resources ...... 8, 9, 14, 21Self-Help Groups ............................ 28Classifieds ....................................... 30Calendar .......................................... 31

and...Research Highlights pull-out section!

MS ConnectionVisit Our Website: www.nmss–nocal.org 3

Our mission:

to end the

devastating

effects

of

multiple

sclerosis.

F R O M T H E W E L L N E S S C O O R D I N A T O R

Living WellDear friends,Welcome to the fourth and final issue of MS Connectionfor 1999! We’ve had an incredible year, having ex-plored some very practical and important issues associ-ated with MS: managing symptoms, utilizing technol-ogy to enhance our productivity and quality of our ev-eryday lives, and taking the necessary steps to secureour employment and employability.

As 1999 draws to a close, your Chapter wants toreaffirm our commitment to providing information,services and opportunities to promote overall physicaland emotional wellness. Time and again, studies showthat physical activity, no matter how minor, reaps notonly physical benefits, but emotional ones too. There-fore, to end our year, we chose to dedicate this issue toa less than practical, but just as important componentof everyone’s lives: recreational activity.

In this Adaptive Adventures issue of MS Connec-tion, you can read about how others who live with MScontinue to challenge their physical limits by takingpart in a variety of adaptive recreational activities.From sailing to mountain biking, from horsebackriding to whitewater rafting, there are many opportu-nities for people who live with MS to get physical andstay active. We hope that these stories inspire you tochoose an activity you think might assist you in deriv-ing the same benefits.

Let me also share that many have benefited fromthe wellness programs sponsored by your Chapter. Wewill continue to sponsor these programs and seek newways to further fulfill our commitment to your overallwellness. If you have something to share or want moreinformation on your Chapter’s wellness programs, youcan e-mail me at [email protected] or call1-800-FIGHT MS. Here’s to living well!

Yours Truly,

Linda ZukowskiWellness Coordinator


Let it Ride!

T H E R A P E U T I C H O R S E B A C K R I D I N G

by Judy Finelli

A massive exacerbation in 1993left me feelingunphysical and fearful

of taking any risks. I wasafraid of falling out of mywheelchair. Deep down I stilllonged for a challenge. An-other thing, which drew meback to the article, was that,unlike other therapies, thiswas one I could do outdoors. Iused to perform outside, andmissed it. So, I picked up thearticle again, found the phonenumber for North AmericanRiding for the HandicappedAssociation (NARHA) andcalled 1-800-369-RIDE to get alist of the centers in California.

One turned out to be near myhouse. By the time I arrived at my firstlesson, I was a nervous wreck. Mymind was racing. My thoughts wentsomething like this:

“What if the horse doesn’t likeme? Animals can sense fear. What ifthe horse doesn’t want me on its backand throws me like elephants do? ” andso on.

Excerpts taken from an article writtenby Judy Finelli for Cane & Able news-letter, November 1997. Judy, who hasMS and suffered from a childhood fearof horses, decided to try therapeutichorseback riding after reading an ar-ticle about another woman’s positiveexperience.

The Horse

Then I saw my horse. In reality, hewas a sagging, light gray, middle-agedPercheron who had seen better days.To my eyes, he was a noble, whitesteed who had just stepped out of themists of Camelot, complete with along, creamy white, flowing mane andtail. His name was Chief. All of mymedieval fantasies of damsels and

knights were shatteredwhen, from a platform up awheelchair ramp, fourpeople hoisted me onto thepadded horse’s back and Iwas deposited face down,arms and legs wrappedaround the horse with myhead on Chief ’s rump al-most touching his tail.Guinevere I was not.My next shock came whenthe horse started to walk.Horses don’t simply walk,their bodies’ undulate,ripple, rock forward and

back, side to side and diagonally in alldirections at once. Since I was alsojolted forcibly every which way, it wasintense, and because of my spasticity,it was also painful. However, my in-stinct told me this pain would betherapeutic. (I’ll take pain over numb-ness and deadness any day.) Also, as Ismelled the ocean air and felt the sunand wind, I realized something won-derful was happening—I was moving


I was moving throughspace and I wasn’t in a

wheelchair or in a car, buton a living being.

Physical Benefits

through space and I wasn’t in awheelchair or in a car, but on a livingbeing. I was transported back in timeto a slower-paced world. So, my fan-tasy did come true in a way I couldn’thave predicted. I was no longerafraid. I was on my white charger. Itwas delicious. Afterwards, when Igave Chief a carrot, he ate it grate-fully and let me pet his nose.

I have been ridingfor a little over ayear. What benefitshave I gotten?When I firststarted, I could onlylie face down.When my teacher first asked me topush up, my legs were so stiff, myarms so weak, and the horse so widethat I could only push up a fewinches. Little by little, I got so I couldpush up to sit facing backwards.Then I lay on my back face up withmy legs around the base of the horse’sneck. Eventually, the side-walkershelped me up to sit facing forward.Whenever I got too tired, I could lieback. I changed riding centers inJune 1997, and now ride at the Na-tional Center for Equine FacilitatedTherapy (NCEFT) in Woodside (650)851-2271. It was here that I learnedto use saddles specially made for thedisabled. I now can sit up facing for-ward for much of the lesson, most ofthe time. It feels great to stimulateall those nerves, which branch out tomy lower spine.

Riding rarely hurts me now. In-stead of feeling jostled and jarred bythe horse’s movements, I am morerelaxed and can blend into the horse’sgait. I don’t feel that tired or hungryafter the lessons anymore, just ener-gized. I used to be stiff all the time.My legs and hips feel floppy and looseafterwards for the rest of the day.This looseness occurs more and more,even on non-riding days. My arms feel

stronger; I havemore sensationbelow the waist anda dramatic increasein the involuntarymovement in myfeet, ankles, legsand lower back.

Emotional Benefits

Riding, in addition, has been an excel-lent mental exercise. I have to con-centrate, focus and do specific thingsas I ride. I have to stay in presenttime. I feel pretty safe at theWoodside Center as they do every-thing possible to minimize the risks.Having exercised my will to overcomea childhood fear, I feel more positiveabout myself. Emotionally, I tend tohold in anger and sadness. During myearly days of lying face down, I alwaysfelt the horse could literally shaketears out of me. I couldn’t lie to my-self. I would ride and sob a lot then.Sometimes the tears were also of purejoy. Now, I just feel the energy of ex-hilaration.

For Resources on Therapeutic Horse-back Riding, please turn to page 8......

�


Bound for Adventure, Inside and Out

O U T W A R D B O U N D W I T H M S

by Michelle Armerie

Our fifth day outbrought a spe-cial surprise.

We had barely set upbase camp when it wasannounced that wewould each be going ona solo outing. Further-more, although we wereto do this as an exerciseon our own, we werestill a team. Therefore, each of uswould be going through the samething, at the same time; and that, wewere told was reassuring.

As the afternoon grew to a close,we were each taken, one by one, withour sleeping bags and mats, apacksack of clothes, a small bag offood and a piece of plastic for a tarp,to an isolated area on the lake—andleft alone.

It felt like some sort of rite ofpassage. I was ushered out of thecanoe and left on a rock ledge to setup camp, with my meager supplies—

Excerpts taken from an article writtenby Michelle Armerie for Abilities maga-zine, winter 1997. Michelle, who has MSand is a wheelchair user, was one of 12participants on a Zurich Access to Ad-venture Outward Bound wildernessprogram sponsored by Zurich, Canada.

and a whistle, just in case of emer-gency. Very reassuring, that whistle . .quite . . .

Nearly immediately I madefriends with a cedar tree. “Tree,” as Idecided to call it, volunteered to holdmy tarp up all night (or so I hoped).Tree and I bonded instantly, although,in hindsight, sap may have had some-

thing to do with it.

I had a sense that theday was growing late. Iset my supper prepara-tions down on the rocksurface: a baggie ofcouscous to mix with someof the water I had in myjug. As I reached for thejug I brushed against the

couscous, which of course started toroll, picking up speed as it went overthe edge of my rock to the ledge justabove the water below. Foolishly, Istarted to go after the baggie—butTree sent a message in the wind: “Youare not wearing your life jacket!”

Let’s just say, for dinner thatnight, I learned to appreciate furtherthe subtle qualities of “gorp”—an ex-quisite combination of raisins, nuts,chocolate chips, sunflower seeds andmini-pretzels. Mmm, good!

As dusk set in, I sat inside mymakeshift “house” quietly contemplat-ing life and listening to the frogs tune


up for their evening symphony. Thetranquility of this moment was dis-rupted by an unexpected rustlethrough the underbrush—and it wasvery close. It wasn’t a heavy noise,but something was there just outsidethe tarp.

I peered into the twilight and ahead popped out from nowhere—a bittoo close for my eyes to decipher anydetails. I flailed around, determinedto protect my dwelling from the giantwilderness invader. Tree, who joinedme in this battle, also put up agood fight. Unfortunately, inthe heat of the attemptedpreemptive strike againstunseen invader, half of ourhouse came flapping down.

It was at this point that the in-truder deemed to show himself, in allthis awesome glory. Tree and I caughta final glimpse of a bullfrog takinghuge leaps across the campsite. Mr.Bullfrog was obviously late and eagerto get to the symphony before thelights went out, his seat was takenand he was barred from the evening’sperformance.

OK, so this time it was a bull-frog. Next time who knows, it mightbe a wolverine. I grabbed my spoonand bowl and started clanging aroundthe site. I was determined to give fairwarning to any other intruders—lestthey have to face our fury (Tree’s andmine) again that night.

That night, I drifted in and out

of a half-sleep with the sleeping bagpulled so tight around my face thatonly my specs and my nose stuck out.I heard vague sounds of rustles andscratches in the middle of the night—but by now I didn’t care. “Fine, eatthe food, just don’t eat the plastic, orme! I don’t want to have to deal witha carcass in the morning . . . yours, ormine!”

The next thing I knew was thesweet chirp of a bird, announcing thenew day. Whatever had been outside

making all the scratchynoises during the night didend up with the rest of myfood. Undoubtedly it was abear (. . . maybe). Whatever

it was, I was the visitor here. So thelittle food I offered was the least Icould do for the hospitality. A goodthing, I thought, that I had followedinstructions in placing the food at asafe distance.

I watched the sun come up andlaughed while my stomach gurgled. Ipacked up my gear, had along goodbyewith Tree, sat quietly and waited forthe canoe to arrive to unite me withthe others. In my mind I went overthe details from the previous night. Iknew that the others were doing thesame, and I found myself gleefullyanticipating the sharing of all ouradventures.

And sharing there was! Each ofus had a unique contribution to make

Continued on next page...


Continued from previous page...

O U T W A R D B O U N D W I T H M S

Bound for Adventure, Inside and Out

to the collective story which was thisadventure. I felt, as did we all, thatwe were now members in great stand-ing of a very exclusive club-a group ofwilderness soul-mates. Our experi-ences—the solo expedition, the rain-soaked afternoon, the evening camp-fires, the grueling physical challenges,the shared song, the collective laugh-ter—had changed each of us in differ-

ent ways. But change was the com-mon factor. We each were leaving thisexperience with gifts that, to somedegree, we had lacked upon arrival:renewed confidence, increased deter-mination, a sense of community . . . awillingness to trust.

Michelle Armerie is a free-lance writerliving in Toronto, Ontario. Re-printpermission granted by author and Abili-ties magazine. For resources on wilder-ness recreation, please see the followingpage.

Continued on next page...

R E S O U R C E S

Therapeutic Horseback Riding

�

All Seasons Riding AcademyDanville, CA510-823-1476

BOK Ranch NorthRedwood, CA650-366-2265

Bonita Equestrian Therapy for theHandicappedNapa, CA707-257-0430

Cornerstone Equestrian CenterVallejo, CA707-643-2223

EQUI-EDCalistoga, CA707-942-0915

From the Ground UpPinole, CA510-724-6862

Giant Steps Equestrian CenterPetaluma, CA707-769-8900


R E S O U R C E S

For more facilities in your area, you may contact the North AmericanRiding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) at 1-800-369-RIDE

Wilderness RecreationOrganizations

� Environmental Traveling Compan-ions

San Francisco, CA415-474-7662

� Disabled Sports USA/Far WestChapter

Truckee, CA530-581-4161 or 530-581-3127www.dsusafw.org

� Breckenridge Outdoor EducationCenter

Breckenridge, CO1-800-383-2632

� Wilderness InquiryMinneapolis, MN1-800-728-0719

� The National Ability CenterPark City, UT435-649-3991

� SPLORESalt Lake City, UT801-484-4128

� The National Sports Center forThe DisabledWinter Park, CO970-726-1540

� The Adaptive Recreation CenterBig Bear Lake, CA909-584-0269

Helpful Equine Academy of RidingTherapy (HEART)Castro Valley510-881-1404

Horse for Healing Therapeutic CenterAuburn, CA916-878-0633

Horseplay Therapeutic CenterVacaville, CA707-447-8733

Horses in CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA415-221-9438

National Center for Equine FacilitatedTherapyWoodside, CA650-851-2271

Renaissance Therapy AssociationSebestapol, CA707-823-2372


W A T E R R E C R E A T I O N

Sailing with MS

by Tom Crain

Of course, I would love sailing.Living in Santa Cruz affordsme proximity to the ocean.

Besides my experience and love forthe sport, in the cockpit of a boat, mycrooked gait and awkward balanceresulting from my MS go unnoticedbecause everyone is clumsy on a boat.There’s a certain equality to the un-steadiness. Moving requires theknowledge of what to grab, where tostand, and an understanding of mostmovements from the waves and wind.Being able to read the ocean andprepare for the direction of movementhelps “equalize” my ability to move

onboard with my guests. The suddenlurches still occur, andthere’s still thesmashed elbow andtorn shin, but hey,that’s sailing for the“normal” anyway.

I wear a safetyharness and a small,unencumbering lifevest (a CO2 cartridgeautomatically inflatesupon striking water),and I have permanentsafety lines leading

from the cockpit tothe bow as crouchingand crawling areoften necessary. Grab

bars have been installed on the mast,boom and dodger (surrounding wind-shield), special grip tape applied toslippery areas of the deck and cockpit,and I wear a condom catheter for theproblems of frequent urination. Mywife also insisted I have a jazzy, safetysystem called a life sling. It can liter-ally sling one out of the water. At-tached to the boom and to the jibwinch, the hoist and tackle systemcan haul aboard a soaked and tiredsailor with another’s help. Everysailor should have this equipment onboard anyhow, but it’s essential gearfor me now.

Tom Crain and friend take time to visit beforesetting off to sail on his boat, “Witness.”


Once over the lifelinesand into the cockpit, Ican be in control again. Ican make the wind obeyme and send my craftinto most directions.

Tom Crain is currently being honored asthe 1999 National MS Father of the Year.

I always sail with a “crew,” usu-ally only one person, but someone tohelp with the exiting and returning tothe slip, raise and lower the sails, andbe there to help in any emergency. Ican only manage the helm and shoutdirections to my partner, but havingsomeone else to enjoy the art andmake conversation can intensify theeuphoric blasts of wind and wateranyway and the spiritual healing ofjust being there cannot be underesti-mated. My favorite fellowsailor used to be my wife, buta child in the family oftenkeeps her from joining me.Now I share ownership of theboat with someone else wholoves sailing and can help withthe maintenance of the craft.

Once over the lifelinesand into the cockpit, I can be in con-trol again. I can make the wind obeyme and send my craft in most direc-tions. I am captain of a vessel that canbeat the wind or run with it. It’s mychoice. With my partner Sean Bullock,I can pull lines, tweak sails, cutthrough waves and swells or surfthem, gaining surges of speed. I ca-jole the elements and make them giveme rides. I rule, and when you’re dis-abled, ruling anything is physicallyhealing, a major mind-body connec-tion. At anchor, the peace afforded bysitting to watch nature at play canonly intensify the remedying aspectsof time spent on the water.

Whether we’re dealing with achronic disease, or the natural, slow-ing process of age, doing what we loveis not always possible. We are forcedto give up many great joys with MS,but we must try to retain anything ofour past abilities and retrain our-selves to enjoy the present while pre-paring for the uncertain future.

As Dylan Thomas said so elo-quently, we must “Rage, rage againstthe dying of the light.” We have to

fight our waythrough what wecan still do andrevel in itscompletion. Thesatisfaction ofovercoming anobstacle is itsown reward. The

spiritual aspect of sailing amidst life’sgiving water and creatures is a bonus.Adaptation is the answer. �

Please note* The Santa Cruz Harborhas installed a disabled parking slotnear my slip and a hoist is availableon a special dock for wheelchair capa-bilities. There is also disabled park-ing and an accessibility ramp to themain door. Harbormaster, TedWarburton, has been a sensitive andhelpful friend to the disabled and myneeds in particular.


Oar Boats

W A T E R R E C R E A T I O N

Whitewater rafting, kayaking and fun!

There are many orga-nizations availablethat can offer you the

type of exciting water recre-ation experience you may belooking for. Yes, even if youhave a disability. Believe itor not, it is possible for aperson with multiple sclero-sis to go whitewater raftingand enjoy herself! Depend-ing upon your level of dis-ability and comfort, you canparticipate in water recre-ation.

Whitewater Rafting

Traditional raft trips offer the oppor-tunity for approximately six people topaddle a raft down a river, under thedirection of a trained guide. Prior tothe trip, the guide gives instruction onproper paddling techniques and trainsthe group on how to form an efficient“engine” so the team can paddle downthe river in an effective, energy-effi-cient manner. If you are looking forthe camaraderie of a group experience,as well as a physical and emotionalchallenge, then a river-rafting tripmay be for you. It is important toconsider your level of energy and abil-ity to keep your balance. Some raftcompanies have boats that areadapted so that you may lower your

center of balance by sitting on a slingon the inside of the boat, thereby en-abling you to participate to your full-est ability while increasing your levelof safety. Guides who understanddisabilities are also more than likelyto work with you if you want to paddlesome of the time, and “hang on for theride” when you feel you need to do so.

If balance or fatigue is a major con-cern, you may want to consider a ridein an oar boat, an exhilarating experi-ence on its own. Here the physicalchallenge is much smaller because theguide does the work of paddling down

Whitewater rafting offers a thrill a minute!


Kayaking

the river. As a passenger, you are freeto enjoy the scenery, the excitement,and perhaps be challenged emotion-ally. For some of us, riding down ariver through tumultuous rapids isenough of a test of our personal lim-its! Seating can be adapted to fit yourneeds and to ensure comfort andsafety. Usually there is someone whorides along in the raft with you tohelp support you during the rougherportions of the rapids. Many peopleenjoy this more intimate experience,especially if the individual ridingalong knows a lot about the history ofthe area; it is almost like having theconvenience of your own personal tourguide!

If the thought of going on awhitewater rafting trip is still toooverwhelming but you still would like

to experience the challenge of a boat-ing trip, you may want to considersea-kayaking. Paddling a kayak onthe Bay offers a relatively safe waterexperience. After instruction fromguides, you can paddle in a single-,double-, or a triple-kayak and experi-ence the serenity of gliding along thewater, the challenge of paddling, andperhaps the thrill of interacting withthe local sea lions! A triple-kayak isconvenient if you want to paddle withthe support of friends, family mem-bers, or a trained guide. For those ofus who experience fatigue, this can bea great experience; you can paddlewhen you feel like it, then rest andenjoy the ride when you don’t want tooverexert yourself.

Whichever experience youchoose, boating has its benefits. Notonly can you challenge yourself physi-cally and emotionally, you may redis-cover an aspect of your life that youthought was lost due to your disabil-ity. If nothing else, boating offers achance to renew your spirit, refreshyour attitude and have some fun!

For Resources on adaptive water recre-ation, please turn to page 9. . .

R E S O U R C E S*Note: many of the same organi-zations that offer adaptive wil-derness recreation also offeradaptive whitewater rafting andkayaking opportunities. Pleaseturn to page 9 for the listing.

�

Kayakingcan

promisea relax-ing dayon theBay!


A D A P T I V E S N O W S K I I N G

R E S O U R C E S

Have Snow, will Ski!

Tahoe Adaptive Ski School (TASS),a program of Disabled SportsUSA-Far West Chapter, is one ofseveral organizations that provideadaptive snow-skiing lessons forpeople with disabilities. Packagesusually include one-on-one in-struction, use of adaptive skiequipment and lift ticket.

Tahoe Adaptive Ski School (TASS) aprogram of Diabled Sports USA – FarWest ChapterTruckee, CA530-581-4161, email:[email protected]

Squaw ValleyLake Tahoe, CA530-581-7184www.squaw.com

Heavenly Adaptive Ski SchoolLake Tahoe, CA775-586-7000www.skiheavenly.com

Mt. Rose Ski AreaTahoe Basin775-849-0704, ext. 220www.skirose.com

Kirkwood Ski AreaKirkwood, CA209-258-7245www.skikirkwood.com

Bear Valley Alpine skiing for disabledpeople-a program of Diabled SportsUSA-Motherload ChapterBear Valley, CA 209-795-5811www.bearvalley.com

The following organizations provideeither individual or group instruction.


by To n i Wi g l e , O T R

T I P S F R O M T O N I

Dear Readers:Instead of answering a letter from the mailbag, the

editor asked me to address the impor-tance of exercise both mentally andphysically in our lives.

Early in the history of MS,people were told to avoid all exercise,as it would worsen their condition. Ittook many years for research to bedone in the field of MS specifically,that shows the benefits of an exerciseprogram far outweigh the temporaryfatigue or weakness that people canexperience.

MS often strikes young andmiddle aged adults, who shoulderwork and homemaking responsibili-ties. These responsibilities leave littletime or energy for an exercise regime,therefore, you have just enough en-ergy to do what you need to, but noenergy left to do anything else.

A 1997 article by Alexa K.Stuifbergen in the Journal of Neuro-science Nursing called “Physical Ac-tivity and Perceived Health Status inPersons with Multiple Sclerosis” out-lines excellent exercise guidelines.She warns that fatigue and limita-tions in mobility may contribute to asedentary lifestyle that increase riskfor developing other chronic diseasesuch as cardiovascular disease, os-teoporosis, diabetes, and hyperten-sion. Building an exercise regimethat includes adding flexibility,muscle strength and endurancemakes it easier to accomplish your

daily activities and leaves you withenergy to enjoy outside leisure activi-ties that have meaning for you.

So how does a person start anexercise routine? First you need toseek out information from a profes-sional. As with any change in yourhealth care program, schedule a con-sultation with your physician prior toimplementing an exercise program.He or she may refer you to a physicalor an occupational therapist for agraded exercise program to meet yourneeds. In addition, there is great dealof information on gentle stretchingexercises, yoga classes, tai chi classes,etc available from the National MSSociety or your local YMCA.

The hardest part is starting theprogram. Set your alarm clock to gooff earlier. Begin your day with 10minutes of gentle stretching. Later inthe day, warm up by stretching againand then add active resistive exercise,i.e. gentle theraband, and weights. Asyou are able to, begin building in aero-bic exercises, swimming, walking, orriding a stationary bike, whatever youcan do and tolerate. End with gentlestretching again. Good luck in start-ing your exercise routine.

For tips on DailyLiving, write to:“Tips from Toni”

National MSSociety

150 Grande Ave., Oakland, CA94612

or e-mail:[email protected]

�

msconnection 1999 #4

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