News from the MS Society of SA & NT No Images? Click here Hello Welcome to the December Vitality. In this edition we have an update on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), our opening hours over the holiday period, and information about changes to ambulance cover. We have research updates about links vitamin D levels in babies have to developing MS later in life and how living at a higher latitude has been linked to an earlier onset of MS. Summer is here and the MS Mighty Swim is just around the corner. Time to make a splash in the pool and start your training. Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year from everyone here at MSSANT. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) updateThe NDIS will be rolled out in South Australia and Northern Territory next year for people aged between 18-64 years. We have prepared a brief overview of what you need to know in preparation for the rollout. Read more on our website. Peer supportMany of the Peer support groups have a break over the Christmas/New Year period while the weather is hot. Please call your group leader or MS Assist to find out the details of your group’s next meeting. The Singing group will resume in March in the air conditioned Mitcham Cultural Village – alongside the Mitcham Uniting Church. We are planning to start a men’s support group in 2017, initially based centrally, but if there are enough men wishing to come along we can have a southern and a northern group. The group will meet at a ‘blokey’ venue – maybe a lawn bowls club, a sports bar in a pub, a men’s shed or a coffee shop. All suggestions welcome. Darwin Clients and their families will be joining together for a Christmas lunch on Saturday 17 December, 12.00pm at the Casuarina All Sports Club. Find out more. Information sessionsWhat’s planned for 2017? The 2017 program for Information Sessions is still being developed but will include:
Keep a look out on the MSSANT website, MySociety, Vitality e-newsletter or ring MS Assist 1800 812 311 for more details. Ambulance cover – will you be covered on your holiday?Did you know ambulance cover has changed? Standard ambulance cover will only cover you if you use the ambulance service in South Australia. If you need an ambulance while you are interstate, you will need to pay for additional cover. We strongly advise that you read through the information on the SA Ambulance Service website regarding Ambulance cover. The cost of an emergency ambulance can be over $800. Christmas closureThe MS Society head office will be closed for Christmas from 5.00pm Thursday 22 December and will reopen Tuesday 3 January at 9.00am. The MS Assist line 1800 812 311 will also be closed during this period. If you need any assistance over this period please contact your GP or other healthcare professional. In an emergency situation, call or go directly to the emergency department at the hospital. Useful numbers over the holiday
period: Lifeline Crisis Care assists people in crisis. Grill'd MarionWe’ve been selected to participate in Local Matters at Grill’d Marion this December! Local Matters is the Grill’d community donation program that sees each Grill’d restaurant donate $500 back into the community every month. The donation is split between 3 local community groups $300 / $100 / $100. How can you help?We’d love your support in receiving the highest $300 donation! Simply head to Grill’d Marion during December for a burger and pop your Local Matters token in our jar. The group with the most tokens at the end of the month receives the largest donation. It’s a simple (and delicious) way to show your support! You’ll find us on a jar at Grill’d Marion, Shop 2026/A Westfield Living at a higher latitude linked to earlier age of onset in MSA Tasmanian study has found that living at a higher latitude (further away from the equator) is linked to an earlier age of the onset of symptoms in MS.Read more. New plant-derived substance shows promise as a new therapy option for MSNew research released has shown that a new plant derived compound can delay and reduce MS symptoms in an animal model of MS. Read more. Low vitamin D levels in newborns linked to greater risk of MS later in lifeA study conducted in Denmark has shown babies born with low levels on vitamin D may be more likely to develop multiple sclerosis in later life. Read more. MS Mighty SwimIt's nearly MS Mighty Swim time again! Make a splash and help us raise funds for people living with MS! The MS Mighty Swim is an amateur, relay swimming challenge that encourages individuals and teams to compete by swimming the longest distance in a set 24-hour period. The concept of the swim is simple – each team (up to 30 swimmers) must have a member swimming in the pool at all times. For more information and to register please visit the MS Mighty Swim website. |