The March eNewsletter from the MS Society of SA & NT. No Images? Click here Hello member - Welcome to the March edition of Vitality. We have a busy calendar for the next few months at the MS Society, with events, information sessions and peer support groups to cater for all. We kick off our busy period with a trip to the Riverland next week. Join our MS Nurse, Pam Klaer and Coordinator, Education and Community Inclusion, Mary-Anne Edge, on Monday evening at the Berri Hotel for an informal chat, or Tuesday morning at the continence information session. Details below. There will be a further continence information session held in North Adelaide on Saturday 8 April. We have recently been awarded a grant for a series of Come'N Try sessions. The first will be Archery in Morphett Vale in May. Keep your eye on our website and in future editions of Vitality for more sessions to be announced. Thank you for your ongoing support. The team at MSSANT The importance of early treatment in MSExperts in Europe recently held a debate and discussion at the European Parliament about the importance of early diagnoses and access to treatment in MS. Read more. CCSVI - Results of clinical trial show treatment not effective A Canadian clinical trial has shown that CCSVI is not an effective treatment for MS. Read more. Government announces measures to fast-track availability of medicinal cannabisChanges to regulations last year made it legal for health professionals to prescribe medicinal cannabis products to patients in need where there was evidence to support its use. However, the lack of available medicinal cannabis products in Australia, either through import or domestic supply, meant that patients were still unable to access the product. Read more. Upcoing events and information sessionsMS staff visits to country locationsStaff from the MS Society and the Independent Living Centre (ILC) will make a combined visit to Berri on 20 and 21 March 2017. They will be at the Berri Community Hotel. There will be the opportunity to meet informally with the staff on the Monday evening and at a ‘Continence Confidence’ information session on the Tuesday morning. Further details. There will be a similar visit to Port Pirie on Tuesday 16 May, 11.00am, at the GP Plus Health Care Centre and Alice Springs in July. Getting Out with Confidence – Continence information sessionJoin us for an informative afternoon led by a panel of specialists to learn more about the latest options for bladder and bowel management. Date:
Saturday 8 April 2017 World MS Day Wednesday 31 May 2017 This year we will celebrate World MS Day with the theme of ‘Telling your MS Story’. There will be guest speakers, sharing their unique stories and a Counsellor providing tips on ‘keeping your mind well’. This will all lead into the launch of the book ‘Multiple Sclerosis, Many Stories, Many Symptoms’, telling the stories of people with MS living in SA & NT. When: Wednesday 31 May, 4.00pm to 6.30pm Mark your diaries and look out for more information. Come’n Try Activities The MS Society has been fortunate to receive funding from Grants SA to provide some special experiences for our members. Throughout May and June a number of activities will be offered in various locations and subsidised by this grant. Bring the family; as no matter what your skill or fitness level you will all be able to ‘give it a try’. Archery The Southern Vales Archery Club are hosting a Come ‘n Try session for MS families. When: Saturday May 6, 9.00am - 11.00am This is an activity that people can do standing, seated or from a wheelchair, and with their children/family. The club is accessible and will appoint a helper to retrieve arrows if it is needed. They have a ‘Kiddlies’ program where the equipment is safe and designed for kids under 10 to try archery, over 10s are shown with a real bow! This event is free provided you book through MS Assist on 1800 812 311 or msassist@ms.asn.au Creative Writing Workshops – ‘Write Yourself Well’ When: Sunday 21 May and 4 June, 11.15am - 12.30pm The cafe has good food and great coffee. Please bring a pen, paper and your creative energies. Ring Carolyn on 0418 806 490 if you can come along. In June there will be;
Further details will be in the next edition of the Network Magazine, at www.ms.asn.au, future Vitality newsletters and the MS Facebook group. Peer Support GroupsSinging group The Singing group resumes on Friday 7 April, 1.30pm to 3.00pm at the Mitcham Cultural Village, 103 Princes Road, Mitcham. New singers are very welcome to join the group and you can bring along a friend or family member to share in the fun. Remember, you don’t have to be a polished singer; you just have to enjoy it! Gardening group We have the opportunity to start a Gardening Group in the Aldinga area, probably in the morning; we are looking for people interested in joining this group. Please call MS Assist if this is something you would like to do, and tell us if you have preferred days of the week. MS Assist 1800 812 311 or msassist@ms.asn.au Chronic Pain Peer Support Group (this is not run by the MS Society) Meet others living with chronic or persistent pain. Hear from health professionals and hear about available resources. When: monthly Multiple Sclerosis, Many Stories, Many SymptomsMultiple Sclerosis, Many Stories, Many Symptoms is a book written by people with MS, about how they deal with the challenges they face. Although MS never affects two people in exactly the same way, I hope that anyone diagnosed with this MonSter of a disease, as well as their family and friends, can find something in this book that they can relate to. Maybe by reading about how others deal with a particular symptom or issue they will feel that they are not so alone. To be available to purchase as a ‘Limited Edition’ paperback and as an ebook, (details to be confirmed nearer the date of publication), from 31 May 2017 – World MS Day. To order: We are taking presales for hard copies of the book. If you would like to order a copy for $12.95 plus postage, please contact MS Assist on msassist@ms.asn.au or call 1800 812 311. Read about: Deb, who overcame her “paralysing” fear of public speaking “to spread awareness about this unpredictable disease”. Carolyn, whose organisational skills compensate somewhat for any cognitive issues – “I may have a little OCD in the mix with my MS but what’s a few more letters in the alphabet soup? At least one condition has helped me organise the other condition.” John, 50 years young and living in an aged care facility. Yet despite this he remains positive and up-beat. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, John is determined to make the most of life. And…. Kirsty, and the challenges she faces living in a “little tourist town” in remote, central Australia. Catalyst foundation eventsCatalyst Foundation is an inclusive, independent and charitable organisation seeking to improve the lives of all South Australians in the areas of ageing, disability, lifestyle, employment, business and learning. They run a range of seminars including Accessing Help at Home and Financial Planning for Retirement, IT Training and support including learning to use computers, tablets and smart phones See their website for details of upcoming seminars. Focus on Ability Short Film Festival: More than $100,000 in cash and prizes is available for the best short films (under five minutes) that showcase the talents of people with disability. Films will be both judged by a professional judging panel and put through an online voting process, with separate prizes for each category. Deadline for entries: 30 June 2017.Have your say – risky roads: The RAA is conducting a survey with all road users about the worst roads and intersections in South Australia. Whether you drive, cycle, walk or use a mobility scooter (gopher), the RAA wants to hear from you. They will use your feedback to advocate for improvements to the worst problem spots. Phone 8202 4517 for more information. Deadline for feedback: 31 March 2017. Funding for artists: The Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Program supports projects and initiatives by South Australian artists with disability. Funding is available to individual artists with disability and to organisations where professional practising artists with disability are the primary recipients of the funding. Deadline for applications: 24 March 2017 Phone 8463 5423 or email Sarah at treasure.sarah@dpc.sa.gov.au See: http://arts.sa.gov.au/grants/richard-llewellyn-arts-and-disability/ Have your say - National Women’s Health Survey: National not-for-profit organisation ‘Jean Hailes for Women's Health’ has launched their annual survey on women's health. Now in its third year, the survey is a chance for every woman to fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle on a wide range of health issues including body image, mental health, sex, relationships, weight and healthy living. Every survey response counts. Answers will be collated anonymously and statistically analysed to develop free resources for women, health professionals and government. Jean Hailes is supported by funding from the Australian Government. More information: Phone Dr Helen Brown on 03 9903 8999 or email helen.brown@jeanhailes.org.au. Have your say – NDIS and Older People: Flinders University is leading an evaluation of the trial of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). They want to find out if the NDIS is making a difference to older people with disability. Researchers would like to speak with South Australians with disability aged 64 to 70 years who are not in the NDIS, and disability and aged care providers working with older people with disability. Interviews will last about 60 minutes. If you are interested in taking part in the Older People Study, phone 1800 265 648 or email ndisevaluation@flinders.edu.au No Interest Loans Schemes (NILS) for Dental Expenses: Many people can’t afford to see a dentist or have trouble covering the gap payment. A new ‘no interest loan’ for dental expenses might be the answer. You may be eligible for a NILS dental loan up to $1200 through Uniting Communities if your income is $45,000 or less (before tax). For more information, phone 8202 5180 or email CSAdmin@unitingcommunities.org. |