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Community and Internet Resources


Community: Support Groups and Disability Specific Organizations

Multiple Sclerosis

National

MS Central Support is an online support network offering information, a support board, chat room, and their Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Knowledge Database. Topics include caregiver issues, medications, diagnosis, health and medical, as well as fun and leisure. Their website also offers a number of helpful resource links. They further offer an opportunity to apply to their Internet Support Friends group, in which each individual is linked with a compatible support partner.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America offers direct assistance to persons living with MS. To learn how the association can assist you, call (800) 532-7667 or e-mail msaa@msaa.com.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation provides support and educational programs to those affected by MS. They offer a comprehensive website packed full of helpful information and resources. The foundation also offers their National Brighter Tomorrow Grant Program. Via this program, individuals with MS are granted up to $1000 to purchase goods or services that will improve their quality of life by enhancing safety, self-sufficiency, comfort, or well-being. For more information on programs and events or to obtain a grant application, call 1-888-MSFOCUS (673-6287), or you can contact them by e-mail at support@msfocus.org.

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation offers a comprehensive, international and up to date on-line information resource developed by MS experts worldwide. The site features general MS information, including symptoms and treatments, research information, personal profiles of people living with MS and more.

New Sign MyMSMyWay.com is a collaborative effort between Microsoft, Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. This site focuses on technologies available to assist individuals with MS maintain and maximize independence in their daily lives.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its national network of chapters promote research, educate, advocate on critical issues, and organize a wide range of programs, including support for the newly diagnosed and those living with MS over time. They offer a very informative website which offers information on MS in general and on treatment options. Their site also offers a library of helpful publications including brochures, books, videos, and an online resource list. If you or your loved one has recently been diagnosed with MS, this is the place to go for information. Visit their website or call (800) 344-4867 to learn how they can help you.

Regional Listings

Mid Atlantic Region

New Sign National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid Atlantic Chapter is committed to a philosophy of wellness, offering the encouragement, materials and skills necessary to achieve and maintain a meaningful lifestyle for people living with multiple sclerosis and their families. Their goal is to help people learn to manage and understand MS, and achieve maximum independence. The Society offers a wide range of programs to help people cope with the everyday demands of living with a chronic illness. The Society serves people with MS, their families and health care professionals through education, advocacy, information, peer support, therapeutic recreation and many other programs in Asheville, North Carolina, and Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina. Their comprehensive, informative, easily accessible detailed website provides information that is positive and current. The user will be informed about learning opportunities, community connections, support groups, wellness plans, and fundraising events, specifically targeting South Carolina. For more information, contact the Mid Atlantic Chapter at 9801-I Southern Pines Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273, phone: 704-525-2955, toll free: 800-344-4867, fax: 704-527-0406 and ncp@nmss.org

State Listings

Wisconsin

Multiple Sclerosis Society - Wisconsin Chapter offers much of what is mentioned in the National listing. In addition, however, they offer funding for such things as counseling, respite care, durable medical equipment, home and vehicle modifications, air conditioners, exercise programs, and emergency assistance situations. Funding of up to $2500 may be available. Staff will work with individuals to explore all available funding resources in addition to the chapter’s financial assistance program. They also offer a Holiday Giving Program for families impacted by MS that have children (under the age of 18). For more information on these and other programs, call (800) 242-3358.

International

MS World, as stated on their web-site, the mission of MS World is to “end the isolation that people feel when diagnosed with a chronic illness, specifically multiple sclerosis.” Run by volunteers diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, this easily accessible, colorful web-site(available in 9 languages) seeks to do just that. It offers members professional opinion and emotional support through chat, message boards, resources (both local and national) as well as an on-line magazine. A unique service provided by this website is CarePages, a unique service that creates free personal web-sites that allow families and patients to connect when away from loved ones. The site also offers a magazine and resources for children in the “Kid’s Corner”. Contact MS World by e-mail at: webmaster@msworld.org.

For more on the topic of Community:

Community and Internet Resources / Editorials / FAQ / Library and Research: News Publications and Media

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[Updated September 30, 2009]
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