What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, long-term Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, long-term condition that affects the central nervous condition that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. system, including the brain and spinal cord. MS is an autoimmune disease, which means MS is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system mistakenly that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself, targeting the central nervous attacks itself, targeting the central nervous system (CNS) consisting of the brain, spinal system (CNS) consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves.cord, and the optic nerves.

The causes of multiple sclerosis are unknown The causes of multiple sclerosis are unknown & there is currently no known cure for the & there is currently no known cure for the disease. Approximately 400,000 Americans disease. Approximately 400,000 Americans acknowledge having MS, and every week acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS may affect 2.5 million individuals.MS may affect 2.5 million individuals.

Who Gets Multiple Sclerosis?

Unexpectedly, healthy individuals Unexpectedly, healthy individuals in the prime of life are confronted in the prime of life are confronted by a predator that changes their by a predator that changes their lives forever. This predator is lives forever. This predator is called multiple sclerosis (MS). MS called multiple sclerosis (MS). MS can strike anyone at any age, but can strike anyone at any age, but more people are diagnosed more people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. between the ages of 20 and 50. Two-three times as many women Two-three times as many women as men have MSas men have MS ..

What makes MS so devastating?

• MS randomly attacks multiple areas of the MS randomly attacks multiple areas of the central nervous systems nerve fibers central nervous systems nerve fibers protective covering, wearing away control protective covering, wearing away control over the body.over the body.

• People with MS never know when attacks People with MS never know when attacks will occur, how long they’ll last, or to what will occur, how long they’ll last, or to what degree their abilities will remain degree their abilities will remain undamaged after each attack. undamaged after each attack.

• Unpredictability adds to the devastation of Unpredictability adds to the devastation of this disease. The progression, severity, this disease. The progression, severity, and specific symptoms of the disease and specific symptoms of the disease cannot be foreseen. cannot be foreseen. 

MS stops people from moving.MS stops people from moving.

Symptoms

As a result of the inflammatory, demyelization process in the central As a result of the inflammatory, demyelization process in the central nervous system, people with MS can experience a wide variety of nervous system, people with MS can experience a wide variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms of MS include:symptoms. The most common symptoms of MS include:

•Fatigue Fatigue •Problems with walkingProblems with walking•Bowel and/or bladder disturbances Bowel and/or bladder disturbances •Visual problems Visual problems •Changes in cognitive function, including problems with Changes in cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving memory, attention, and problem-solving •Abnormal sensations such as numbness or "pins and needles" Abnormal sensations such as numbness or "pins and needles" •Changes in sexual functionChanges in sexual function•PainPain•Depression and/or mood swings Depression and/or mood swings

Who is the Lone Star Chapter?

• Founded in 1955 to provide direct services to people affected by MS Founded in 1955 to provide direct services to people affected by MS and to fund research in the movement toward a world free of MS.and to fund research in the movement toward a world free of MS. The Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the The Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the largest Chapter in terms of geography, population served and largest Chapter in terms of geography, population served and monies raisedmonies raised

• The Lone Star Chapter serves 174 counties in Texas and 20,000 The Lone Star Chapter serves 174 counties in Texas and 20,000 people with MS, their families, friends, the professionals who serve people with MS, their families, friends, the professionals who serve them, and the general public.them, and the general public.

• Charity Navigator, the prestigious non-profit rating service, honored Charity Navigator, the prestigious non-profit rating service, honored the Lone Star Chapter with four stars – its highest award for the Lone Star Chapter with four stars – its highest award for outstanding financial and service excellence.outstanding financial and service excellence.

Our Mission & Strategic Goals

Mission: To end the devastating effects of MSMission: To end the devastating effects of MS

MS and Employment

• Some people with MS remain productively Some people with MS remain productively employed, while others with similar levels of employed, while others with similar levels of disability do not. According to NMSS research, disability do not. According to NMSS research, certain factors appear to be related to job certain factors appear to be related to job retention including knowledge of employment retention including knowledge of employment rights and career planning based on expert advice rights and career planning based on expert advice rather than well meaning but often uninformed rather than well meaning but often uninformed advice of family friends and co-workers.advice of family friends and co-workers.

MS and Financial Planning

Planning for the financial future of a person with a lifelong Planning for the financial future of a person with a lifelong medical condition requires preparation, careful research medical condition requires preparation, careful research and often professional guidance.and often professional guidance. Shifting job or careers Shifting job or careers without careful financial and health benefit planning can without careful financial and health benefit planning can have disastrous results.have disastrous results.

• COBRACOBRA• Small group and individual health policiesSmall group and individual health policies• Long and short term disability policies and life insuranceLong and short term disability policies and life insurance• Income tax issuesIncome tax issues• SSDISSDI• Personal financial planningPersonal financial planning

Partnership with FSP

This year FSP received the National MS Society’s This year FSP received the National MS Society’s prestigious “Making a Difference” awardprestigious “Making a Difference” award

Given to individuals whose volunteer work or special Given to individuals whose volunteer work or special contributions have made a difference in the lives of people contributions have made a difference in the lives of people with MS.   FSP is the first with MS.   FSP is the first organization organization to receive this to receive this award.  award.  

PlanningWise Program

• A dynamic new program from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Dallas Society of Financial Service Professionals will help people living with MS evaluate and plan their career path and financial future

PlanningWise Program

• The PlanningWise program provides a 90-day one to one consultation for people with MS that offers career and job coaching, financial planning and insurance benefit counseling, and direct financial assistance with COBRA health insurance payments, if appropriate.

PlanningWise Program

The program is open to persons living with MS who:

• Have lost employment within the last 30 days• Are at risk for losing employment• Are considering a career change because of

MS

Society of FSP Recruiting Goal: 2 from each professional discipline

RHU COBRA

CPA Tax Matters

JD Employment Law

JD Wills/Trusts/POA

CFP/ChFC Financial Planning

CLU Life Insurance

Others as needed, including student/associate members

90 Day PlanningWise Goals ADAPTING

1st meeting: Determine financial “stress” and sophistication of clientHomework assignment for client is to gather benefit booklets, COBRA notices and certificate of creditable coverageFEP volunteer delivers “Adapting” booklet and reviews with clientIdentify any critical issues, such as ADA

30 Day goals: Introduction to team members Estimate annual cost of client’s treatment planComplete medical expense worksheet, based upon medical plan(s)Recommend for COBRA subsidy, if required

60 Day goals:Complete budget from Adapting, including debt managementDetermine game plan for 91st day

90 Day goals:Enrolled in health plan of new employer or alternate strategyEstimate savings to client of PlanningWise processEstate plan in good orderTaxes filed and current

What has been the time required of volunteers?

• This will depend on the client needs, but our early experience from the pilot suggests the following 1 Hour of fact finding by phone

• Employment status• Access to benefit booklets and 401k/IRA statements• Communication by phone/email

1 Hour per month for the Financial Planner to coach and keep on track Other issues as needed, may just be a phone call

• Teleconferences planned to reach a broader audience, where there is not a time urgency or a financial emergency. 1 Hour each with multi-disciplined team