spring 2016 greater northwest chapter ms ......spring 2016 ms connection newsletter greater...

SPRING 2016 GREATER NORTHWEST CHAPTER

MS CONNECTION NEWSLETTER

Technology and support, continued on pages 4-5

TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORT

Technology opens up new possibilities for living a fuller life with MSFrom a voice-operated camera to a knife-pivoting cutting board, a lightweight folding wheelchair to shareable calendars that remind you of tasks, techno- logical advances are making it easier every day for people to overcome many of the challenges presented by MS.Lois Lambert might be what you would call an early adopter. Nearly 20 years ago, she took a test drive in a standing wheelchair and found it suited her far better than a traditional seated version.

“I could look people in the eye and have conversations. It stretched my legs. It let me stand for the National Anthem,” Lois recalls.Voice-recognition software also helped Lois — who with her husband, Brice, owned a small-town newspaper at the time — continue to write and stay connected online without having to type. Today, almost every computer, mobile phone and tablet has built-in voice recognition programs.Innovations in assistive technology have definitely escalated — from simple to amazing.

FIND LOCAL AND CALL-IN PROGRAMS ON PAGES 11–15

02 MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2016EVENTS

Walk MSMore than 9,800 people have turned out for Walk MS events across the Northwest so far this spring, raising over $1.7 million. With another 10 Walk MS events this spring and into the summer, there’s still time to join Walk MS and help reach the $1.9 million goal for critical research and life-changing programs and services to help people with MS live their best lives. Visit walkMS.org to view photos from your local event, make a contribution or sign up for a Walk MS in your community. n

THANK YOU TO OUR NATIONAL SPONSOR

THANK YOU TO OUR PREMIER NATIONAL SPONSOR

PRESENTED LOCALLY BY

03MSNORTHWEST.ORG | 1-800-344-4867

NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETYNational Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Northwest Chapter Regional Office 192 Nickerson St., Ste. 100 Seattle WA 981091-800-344-4867Chairman: T. Alan ElserChapter President: Patricia Shepherd-BarnesContributed Writing & Photography: Moore Ink. PR & Fundraising CommunicationsDesign: DavidOwenHastings.com©2016 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter

The National MS Society is proud to be a source of information about MS. The content is based on professional advice, review of independent research, published experience and expert opinion. The National MS Society makes no warranties regarding the information provided and the information is provided for your educational purposes only. Any provided medical information is of a general nature and should not be substituted for the individual therapeutic recommendation or prescription by a medical professional. For specific information and advice relating to your personal medical condition, always consult your personal physician.

SAMPLE “WE ARE STRONGER THAN MS” PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

AWARENESS

‘We Are Stronger Than MS’SHARED STORIES CONVEY THE MANY WAYS PEOPLE RISE ABOVE MS Winda’s preferred “medications” are laughter and art. Dan adapted from stream fishing to lake fishing, which he can do sitting down. Nellie kickboxes.They are stronger than MS. Together, we all are.That was the resounding message that people from all over the country sent during MS Awareness Week in March, sharing their stories on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #WeAreStrongerThanMS.“I have MS, and playing the violin helps keep me positive and relaxed,” Angela writes. “I’ve been vocal about my diagnosis since the very beginning,” says Vic. “I feel liberated in telling my story and fighting this thing.

Instead of acknowledging MS as my weakness, I feel empowered by the strength it’s given me.”Vic attended her first self-help group meeting for people living with MS this year. Afterward, a few people approached her and said, “I’ve never met anyone with MS that looked like me.”“We’re not alone anymore,” Vic says. “Today was powerful.” n

You can read more about these amazing people — and share your own story — at WeAreStrongerThanMS.org.Also, save the date for World MS Day on May 25 and visit worldMSday.org for more tools to share how you are #StrongerThanMS.

OFFMY WAVE.

Together We Are StrongerTogether We Are Stronger

Ocean Beach native and local sur f legend Steve Bettis was

diagnosed with MS in 2006. Although sur f ing is still central

to his life, he hasn’t been able to get out on the water in 10

years. For a man whose daily routine always included a few

waves, more than a decade out of the sur f is just too long.

This is why the National MS Society teamed up with his buddy

Rober t “Wingnut” Weaver and used vir tual reality to get Steve

back on his wave. See their experience and f ind out how you

can share yours at WeAreStrongerThanMS.org.

04 MS CONNECTION: SPRING 2016

Technology and supportcontinued from page 1

On the low-tech front, you can find a spigot that fits atop a milk carton so you don’t have to lift it to pour, devices to pull down zippers or pull up socks, and

countless other gadgets make everyday living more manageable. Kurt L. Johnson, PhD., directs the University of Washington’s Center for Technology and Disability Studies. Because cognition issues are as serious a concern as mobility problems for people with MS, he recommends using Google online calendars connected to your mobile phone and computer. Shareable among family and friends, Google can remind you of appointments, when to take meds or even to watch a favorite TV program.For an active couple like Cathy Lykes and John Daughters, assistive technology has helped

them hold on to many of the things they enjoyed before MS began to severely affect Cathy’s hands and stamina.A talented photographer, Cathy commands her voice-activated camera to “focus, capture, shoot” and takes awesome scenic photos on their vacations. She can sit on a wheelchair-like apparatus that clasps to the front of John’s bike so they can cycle together. And she uses an assortment of little gadgets in the kitchen so they can enjoy tandem cooking.The couple travels to Abilities Expos (abilities.com/expos) around the country to stay up to date on new technology. Their most recent discovery was a 55-pound folding wheelchair that fits easily in the back of their compact car. They also borrow many devices before they buy them from their state’s assistive technology program (see the article on page 4).Dr. Johnson predicts the sensors that are now common in mobile phones, fitness monitors and other devices will soon be able to sense when someone with MS might need to rest or prompt them to focus more precisely when concentration strays.

“The future is coming quickly,” he says. n


TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORT

Where can you find technology to improve your life?There are countless gadgets and devices — big and small, inexpensive and costly — that may make your life with MS a little easier and more enjoyable. Finding them and paying for them may take some perseverance and research, but here are a few resources to get you started.The Medicaid Waiver program paid for Lois Lambert’s standing wheelchair. Medicare and private health insurance policies also often cover expenses. If mobility will help you find or keep employment, you may be eligible for a grant from your state’s vocational rehabilitation agency. The Digital Federal Credit Union (dcu.org) offers special mobility vehicle loans and access loans to people in need of products, devices, modifications and vehicles to support or increase their accessibility.The federal Assistive Technology Act of 1998 requires every state to help people with disabilities access technology that can improve their lives. Services and programs vary, from loaning out equipment to offering training and resources. Contact your state’s program at:n ALASKA: Assistive Technology of Alaska, atlaak.orgn IDAHO: Idaho Assistive Technology Project, idahoat.orgn MONTANA: MonTech, montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edun WASHINGTON: Washington Assistive Technology Act

Program, watap.org

Of course, the National MS Society is always here to help. Call an MS Navigator at 1-800-344-4867 for referrals to foundations or agencies that may be available to fund your technology purchases.

TOOLS LIKE THE MAGIC TAP DRINK DISPENSER CAN HELP WITH EVERYDAY NEEDS LIKE EASILY POURING BEVERAGES

Image credit: Amazon.com


ADVOCACY

Denied coverage, tenacious couple takes on a daunting system — and winsWithout her power wheelchair, Janette Garner would not be able to move about her house on her own. A feature that elevates her seat helps her get in and out of her chair and bed safely, grab food from the refrigerator and perform countless other daily tasks. Lights in the front and back make it easier to get around the house in the evening and safer to navigate sidewalks.Diagnosed with MS 38 years ago, Janette has relied on wheelchairs to get around for years. But when she got this one, Medicare refused to cover it, flagging the seat elevator and lights as conveniences, not medical necessities.Janette and her husband, Tucker, appealed Medicare’s decision, refusing to give up after losing the first two phases of a challenging three-stage process. With support from the National MS Society, they appealed all the way to a federal administrative law judge. Even after they’d submitted 1,000 pages of documents, the judge asked for almost 100 more, including the medical chart notes related to doctors’ prescriptions.Finally, almost two years later, the Garners won coverage for Janette’s wheelchair.

“We couldn’t have done this without the Society’s support,” Tucker says.

For Sarah Winter, the Society’s service management specialist who assisted with the appeal, it was rewarding to see the Garners’ fierce persistence pay off.

07MSNORTHWEST.ORG 1-800-344-4867

The Garners have won other health insurance appeals over the years. Each time, they’ve learned important lessons about self-advocacy. Together with the Society, they offer these helpful tips:

n Know your rights. Regardless of your insurer — private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare — you have a right to appeal any denial of coverage.

n File your own appeal. Medicare gives preference to beneficiaries who file their own appeals. Hospitals, doctors and equipment suppliers often wait up to three years to have their cases heard in a backlogged system.

n Ask lots of questions. Communicate your concerns. Take notes and keep track of them.

n Document everything. Gather your doctors’ chart notes and make sure they reflect the medical necessity of the treatment or technology they prescribe. Keep all your paperwork, and double-check the details. Inadvertent mistakes like the wrong date on a prescription can cause problems with an appeal.

n Be patient. The appeals process can be frustrating. Stick with it. Reach out to the Society for support if you need it. n

For more tips on filing health insurance appeals, go to nationalMSsociety.org/insurance, click on Health Insurance and Medicare, and then on Health Insurance Appeals or call our Information Resource Center at 1-800-344-4867, and ask for an MS Navigator.

“Tucker has an unwavering commitment to Janette and to her quality of life,” Sarah says. “He’s also very committed to making a difference for others through his advocacy.”


RESEARCH

Understanding wellnessBY NICHOLAS LAROCCA, PHD

A big part of my excitement at the annual meeting of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, or ECTRIMS, in October 2015 was seeing so many researchers from around the world working hard to find the best solutions for

people affected by MS. I found this to be especially true in the growing area of lifestyle and wellness research — exploring diet, exercise, physical activity and other approaches — all of which people can manage themselves to improve how they feel and possibly how their MS evolves.

NUTRITION AND DIETThe idea of intermittent fasting as a way to fight inflammation is being explored by MS

researchers. But anyone who’s tried it knows how challenging it can be to stick with it. That’s why I was intrigued by a small trial involving 48 people with relapsing-remitting MS done by Dr. Markus Bock and colleagues (Universitätsmedizin Berlin). The investigators studied various diets that may affect “ketone bodies” — molecules in the liver that may protect the brain and spinal cord. Compared to participants who followed their usual diets, participants who followed either a “ketogenic diet” (a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet) or a prolonged-fasting diet (an initial seven-day fast followed by a Mediterranean diet) reported improved quality of life. These results are encouraging; hopefully we will see results in larger numbers of participants in the future.Another interesting study reported by Dr. Aiden Haghikia (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany) and colleagues had previously found in mice that gut bacteria giving off short-chain (versus medium- or long-chain) fatty acids could protect against the development of MS-like attacks. To translate these results to human beings, the team administered daily capsules of “proprionate,” which contains short-chain fatty acids, to 18 healthy volunteers. They found no side effects, but more importantly, cells that activate immune attacks in MS were suppressed, while other cells, call Tregs, that

WELLNESS IS OF GROWING INTEREST TO MS RESEARCHERS.


turn off attacks, increased by 25-30 percent. This early report shows the potential of a nutritional supplement that could be tested for its benefits in people with MS.

EXERCISE AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGYWe are seeing more studies on the benefits of exercise and physical activity in people with MS. As research advances, we’ll share it so people with MS will have the information they need to choose what’s right for them.Researchers are looking at how exercise may lead to changes in brain function. Dr. Francesca Tona (Sapienza University, Rome) and colleagues looked first at whether 26 people with MS with balance problems would benefit from home-based training using videogames and the Wii balance board five times a week for 30-minute sessions over 12 weeks. Many experienced improvements in their balance after the program. Next, the researchers explored how “functional connectivity” — the connections between different areas of the brain measured using neuroimaging — changed after the 12 weeks. They found increased connectivity in several areas of the brain including the cerebellum, which controls bodily movement. This is particularly exciting because participants didn’t have to go to a gym or healthcare facility; instead, they could access the technology and complete the sessions at home. This study also provided evidence for “neuroplasticity,” the idea that the brain is capable of changing in ways that may improve people’s day-to-day function. Meanwhile, a team from Denmark and Belgium

led by Dr. Ulrik Halgas (Aarhus University) noted that people with MS tend to lose muscle mass and that they have fewer “myogenic stem cells” — cells in the body that help rebuild muscle. The team reported that after a 12-week, high-intensity training program (involving exercise machines for strengthening upper and lower body muscles), the number of myogenic stem cells more than doubled in people with MS. This kind of exercise program may not be for everyone, but it’s encouraging to know that such regrowth is possible.

IMPROVING COGNITIVE FUNCTIONFinally, I am encouraged to see more studies that show how cognitive rehabilitation can improve learning and memory in people with MS. After all, cognition is an important part of what makes us feel well. A team from Italy and the United Kingdom, led by Dr. Micaela Mitolo, tested an intensive program designed to target multiple areas of the brain and thus multiple cognitive problems. Among the 15 people who underwent one-hour rehab sessions for five days a week for four weeks, cognitive function improved, even in areas not specifically involved in the training. Brain imaging also showed that compared to the participants who did not undergo the program, those who did experienced increased functional connectivity.To learn more, visit nationalMSsociety.org/research. n

Nicholas LaRocca, PhD, is vice president of Health Care Delivery and Policy Research at the National MS Society.Originally published on: MSconnection.org/blog.


RESEARCH

A new way to seeMagnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, of the brain helps doctors diagnose multiple sclerosis and observe disease activity and progression in people with the disease. However, MRI also has its limitations. For instance, it detects areas of damage (lesions) in the areas of the brain that contain myelin-coated nerve fibers, also known as “white matter,” but it does not detect or track lesions that occur in the outer layers of the brain, including the cortex and gray matter. In addition, as many people with MS can attest, MRI can be a time-consuming, expensive and — for some people — frightening procedure. For these reasons and others, researchers have been exploring optical coherence tomography, or OCT, as a non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and well-tolerated imaging method to track disease progression and the effects of MS therapies.

A USEFUL TOOLEvidence has suggested that OCT findings might mirror MS-inflicted damage in the brain, but up to now, it has not been clear whether thinning of the nerve at the back of the eye also reflects brain shrinkage (atrophy) and nerve degeneration overall or in specific areas of the brain. Results of a four-year study, published November 2015 in Annals of Neurology, suggest that the rate of tissue thinning seen on OCT reliably mirror overall brain degeneration, with a specific layer of the retina showing atrophy at similar rates as specific brain regions seen with MRI.

In addition, these similar rates of atrophy between OCT and MRI were more strongly associated in progressive MS. The study used advanced OCT and MRI brain scans of 107 people with relapsing-remitting, primary progressive or secondary progressive MS to track and compare changes in nerve layers at the back of the eye to changes in brain tissue.

Three members of the study’s team — Drs. Laura Balcer, Peter Calabresi and Elliot Frohman — received the 2015 Barancik Prize for Innovation in MS Research for their pioneering work related to OCT (watch http://ntl.ms/2015Barancikvideo to learn more). This particular study’s findings further validate OCT’s usefulness in understanding and treating MS. Learn more at nationalMSsociety.org/research. n

Doctors are now using OCT to assess the retinal nerve after episodes of optic neuritis, a common symptom of MS. Watch a video and learn more about optic neuritis at nationalMSsociety.org/opticneuritis.

OCT ALLOWS DOCTORS TO EXAMINE THE NERVES IN THE BACK OF THE EYE.

TELELEARNING: PARTICIPATE FROM HOMEFree and available to everyone in the Greater Northwest Chapter area — and beyond!


PROGRAMS

Live, learn, connect and be wellThe Greater Northwest Chapter offers many opportunities for you to improve your wellness – physically, emotionally, socially, intellectually, occupationally and spiritually. All our programs are free. Many require advance registration and some have limited space, so sign up early. To register, visit MSnorthwest.org or call 1-800-344-4867 and press 1. You can also access videos anytime at nationalMSsociety.org/MSlearnonline.

Traveling with MSTuesday, June 14 – Author and accessible travel expert Candy Harrington will share tips, resources and hard-to-find information about the logistics of accessible travel planning, while world traveler Lisa Kemppainen will recount her globetrotting escapades. They’ll talk about air travel, TSA screening, finding accessible lodging, dealing with fatigue and temperature sensitivity on the road, and share some of their favorite accessible travel finds.

Understanding and Managing Your SpasticityTuesday, July 12 – While spasticity affects more than 12 million people worldwide, including 80 percent of people living with MS, its causes, effects and treatments are not clearly understood. Learn about what factors cause and aggravate spasticity, the signs and symptoms of spasticity, how to incorporate wellness-based spasticity treatments into your daily life, and what medications, exercise and physical therapy can help.

Mood in MSTuesday, Aug. 9 – Save the Date!

Health InsuranceTuesday, Sept. 13 – Save the Date!

OVER THE PHONEAll telelearning programs in this issue take place at the following times:4:00 – 5:15 p.m. AKT

5:00 – 6:15 p.m. PT

6:00 – 7:15 p.m. MT Find out more about each of these programs at nationalMSsociety.org/telelearning.

SEE PAGE 14 for additional telelearning opportunities offered by UW.


MSCONNECTION.ORGJoin the community and explore the issuesthat shape your world at MSconnection.org.

Mood and Cognition in MS: What You Can DoHow does MS affect your moods and cognitive functioning – and what can you do about it? Get answers and learn how to address symptoms with physical activity, medications, counseling, self-management strategies and more.JUNEAU, AKFriday, June 10, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.Bartlett Regional Hospital, 3260 Hospital Dr.SPEAKER: David White, PhD, ABPPKETCHIKAN, AKSaturday, June 11, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.IBEW Local 1577, Union Hall, 317 StedmanSPEAKER: David White, PhD, ABPP

Food for the Brain 2016: 3rd Annual MS & Nutrition WorkshopOffered in collaboration with the EvergreenHealth MS CenterRevitalize your nutritional health with a lively discussion of the latest scientific findings on MS and nutrition, practical advice regarding healthy eating, strategies for maintaining a healthy diet in the context of challenging MS symptoms, and the importance of exercise in promoting an overall healthy lifestyle.KIRKLAND, WASaturday, July 23, 9:30 a.m. – Noon EvergreenHealth, 12333 NE 130th LaneSPEAKERS: Laura Piccio, MD, PhD; Jan Kincaid Rystrom, RD, CDE, MEd; Ted Brown, MD, MPH

SAVE THE DATE! Everyday MattersWe know that cultivating positive feelings, behaviors and emotions can significantly enhance well-being and decrease depressive symptoms. The “Everyday Matters” program aims to increase participants’ knowledge about positive psychology and how to apply these tenets to addressing the everyday challenges of living with MS.BILLINGS, MT Saturday, Sept. 17FACILITATED BY: LuAnn Pierce, LCSW, Care Management & Counseling Provider with the National MS SocietyANCHORAGE, AK Saturday, Sept. 24FACILITATED BY: LuAnn Pierce, LCSW, Care Management & Counseling Provider with the National MS SocietySEATTLE, WASix week series, starting in SeptemberFACILITATED BY: Kevin Alschuler, PhD, Psychologist with the UW Medicine MS CenterSPOKANE, WASix week series, starting in SeptemberFACILITATED BY: Aline Heggem-Snow, PA, Physician’s Assistant at Providence Holy Family MS Center


MS Center & partner programsWe are pleased to promote these additional opportunities provided by partners in our local communities.

EVERGREENHEALTH MS CENTERKIRKLAND, WARainier Room, DeYoung Pavilion, 12039 NE 128th St.REGISTER by calling 425-899-3000 or online at evergreenhealth.com/classes. Classes are free unless otherwise noted and are open to non-Evergreen patients.

Fall Prevention: Take Action!Friday, July 15, 10:00 a.m. – NoonLearn how to stay active, independent and minimize your risk of falls.

From the Ground Up, Strength and FlexibilityMondays and Fridays, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.$5 per class or $20/four-week session

Neuro-Nutrition ClassThird Friday of every month, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Kirkland Care Partner Support GroupFourth Thursday of every month, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Neurological Exercise GroupTuesdays, 1:00 – 1:50 p.m.$20/four-week session (once per week)

Men’s GroupSecond Tuesday of every month, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Kirkland Care Partner Support GroupFourth Thursday of every month, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Therapeutic Yoga for MSSix-week series, Tuesdays, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.YMCA Carol Edwards Center, 17401 133rd Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA$30 per series

SWEDISH MS CENTER SEATTLE, WA Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 1600 E Jefferson St., Level AREGISTER by calling 206-320-2200 or email [email protected]. All classes are free and are open to non-Swedish patients.

Adventure ProgramOngoing outings, activities and opportunities for connection. Submit ideas for accessible indoor and outdoor adventures to [email protected]

Book Club3rd Wednesday of each month, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.All books provided by the MS Center. Call or email to learn about selected readings.

MS CONNECTION: SPRING 201614

AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN OUR CHAPTER COMMUNITY! Can’t make it in person to these UW Medicine events? Join via a webinar by logging into uofw.adobeconnect.com/neurology

Get Back Your Music SessionsThursdays by appointmentPiano, drum, guitar and voice sessions for practicing and learning musicians who are experiencing difficulty playing or singing due to their neurological condition. Instructor is actively recruiting members for the MS Center Band.

Music TherapyGroup Session: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – NoonPrivate sessions are available by appointment.

Gentle Yoga and Wellness SkillsTuesdays, 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. and 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.

PilatesFridays, 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

MS Club Cherry Hill: A Support and Self-Help GroupThird Friday of every month, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. REGISTER by contacting Robin Mazna at [email protected].

LGBTQ MS Connection Second and fourth Tuesdays of every month, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.REGISTER by contacting Kim Breen at 425-333-4543 or [email protected].

Care Partner Support Group Third Tuesday of every month, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.REGISTER by contacting John Daughters at 206-937-9604 or [email protected].

UW MEDICINE MS CENTERSEATTLE, WANorthwest Hospital, 1536 N 115th St. (free parking)REGISTER by contacting Kelly at 206-598-3894 or [email protected]. All classes are free and are open to non-UW Medicine patients.

Maintaining your MobilityWednesday, June 15, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.SPEAKERS: Ellery Russian, DPT, ATP & Ashley Dennis, PT, DPT, NCS, Physical Therapists

What are the New MS Medications on the Horizon? Remyelination and RepairWednesday, July 20, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.SPEAKER: Gloria von Geldern, MD, Neurologist

Tool to Kick the Smoking HabitWednesday, August 17, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.SPEAKER: Gloria Hou, MD, Physiatrist

MSNORTHWEST.ORG | 1-800-344-4867 15

THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO CREATING A WORLD FREE OF MS.The National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter educates, inspires and empowers those affected by multiple sclerosis. We create innovative programs to meet the needs of people with MS and their families, host exciting fundraising events to give supporters a meaningful role in the MS movement, and fund cutting-edge research into treatments and a cure. With a vision of bringing about a world free of MS, we help everyone affected by the disease to live richer, healthier, more independent lives.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS MSStudies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health care professional or contact the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867 to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.

GRUPO DE APOYO EN ESPAÑOLLa Sociedad Nacional de Esclerosis Múltiple ha comenzado un grupo de apoyo en español, por teléfono, para las personas con EM. El único requisito para participar es haber sido diagnosticado de esclerosis múltiple. Este programa es totalmente gratis. Para más información, o para registrarse, por favor llame al 1-800-344-4867, y oprima el número 3.

Like us: facebook.com/MSnorthwest.orgWatch us: youtube.com/GreaterNorthwest

The National MS Society does not endorse or recommend specific products, services or manufacturers. The Society assumes no liability whatsoever for the use or contents of any product or service mentioned herein. We reserve the right to refuse advertising that is deemed to be inconsistent with the Society’s mission.

VIRGINIA MASON MS CENTERSEATTLE, WA Neuroscience Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1201 Terry Ave., Lindeman PavilionREGISTER by contacting Piper Paul at 206-341-0314 or piper.paul@ virginiamason.org. Free and open to non-VM patients.

MS Newly Diagnosed SeminarSaturday, June 4, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Lunch and parking will be provided.

Educational ProgramBREMERTON, WAFEATURING: Dr.’s Mariko Kita and Lucas McCarthy. Information will be available shortly at calendar.MSnorthwest.org. To be added to an interest list please contact [email protected] or 206-515-4565.

Greater Northwest Chapter 192 Nickerson Street, Suite 100 Seattle, Washington 981091-800-344-4867MSnorthwest.org

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSAN JOSE, CA

PERMIT NO. 1513

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Ride on your own or rally a team. Inspire cyclists with your personal story as an MS Champ, volunteer or make a donation. There are many ways you can enjoy and be a part of Bike MS.It’s an extraordinary experience for an extraordinary cause — one that’s raised more than $1 billion for research, programs and services that

help everyone affected by MS live their best lives.As one Bike MS team puts it: “In a nutshell, Bike MS represents the power of love, respect, inspiration, drive and altruism at its best.”If you bike, register today and gear up for the ride of your life! Don’t bike, but want to join the fun? Volunteer! Can’t be there in person? You can still power the movement by raising funds as a virtual rider. Learn more about how you can get involved in your local Bike MS at bikeMS.org or call 1-855-372-1331.

How will you Bike MS?!Bike MS: Hope to a Cure May 21, Girdwood, AK

Bike MS: Bighorn Country Classic Aug. 13-14, Sheridan, WY

Bike MS: Ride the Sky Aug. 20, Red Lodge, MT

Bike MS: Deception Pass Classic Sept. 10-11, Mount Vernon, WA

Bike MS: Cycle the Silver Valley Sept. 17-18, Kellogg, ID

spring 2016 greater northwest chapter ms ......spring 2016 ms connection newsletter greater...

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