fraser valley chapter - multiple sclerosis society of canada
TRANSCRIPT
MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
Welcome to the Fraser Valley Chapter’s July Newsletter
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James
Summer has arrived in the Fraser Valley. With it comes long days, cool nights and
many opportunities to get out and enjoy your community. There are many festivals, farmers’ markets, and celebrations to attend all around the Fraser Valley. Be sure to
check some out this summer.
Inside we say good bye to Arlene, give you details about upcoming workshops and
meetings, share the results and photos from the 2013 Scotiabank MS Walk and tell you about some new opportunities for you to get more involved with the Chapter.
Please make the most of the services and support being offered to you and let us know how else we can be of service. We hope you have a pleasant summer!
Fraser Valley Chapter Summer 2013
OUR MISSION:
To be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling
people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life.
Forgot to renew your membership?
You have up to one year to renew your
membership once it has expired. After that,
you need to apply for a new membership and
must wait 3 months before being able to vote
at a MS Society meeting.
You can renew or become a new member by
contacting:
Email: [email protected]
Call toll free: 1-877-746-9331
Online: www.mssociety.ca, under the Get
Involved tab.
In this issue
Pg 2– 5 Client and Caregiver
information and support
Pg 6, 7 Fundraising news and
updates
Pg 7 Volunteer opportunities
Pg 8 Board news, meeting dates
and AGM date
Pg 8 Updated Chapter contact
information and disclaimer
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
Good-bye to Arlene
We bid a fond farewell to Arlene Onderwater, who has accepted a Recreation Therapist
position at a Chilliwack residential care home. Her last formal day was Friday, June
14th, though she has been tying up some loose ends for us since then.
Arlene joined us in February 2012 and in the short time was with us she re-established
a self-help group in Hope, strengthened ties with the other self-help groups and the
Family Members group in the chapter, she brought in speakers and held information
sessions and created the monthly e-bulletins. Her caring personality, big smile and
laughter will be missed.
The process of hiring a replacement Community Services Coordinator has already
begun. It is expected to take a few months before the right person is found and is in
place. Until then, Debbie Irwin from the MS Society Division office will support the
Fraser Valley Chapter.
You may remember Debbie from when she stepped in to support the chapter prior to
Arlene being hired. She is an excellent and capable CSC and will continue to provide
quality service to our members and clients. Debbie can be reached by phone at
1-877-303-7122 or by email at [email protected].
Fitness & Leisure Opportunities
There is still time to register for SUMMER CAMP –August 17-24, 2013! Applications available now! Campers will be in the beautiful Rocky Mountains at Easter
Seals Camp Horizon near Calgary, AB. All costs for camp and transportation are included. Kids camp FREE. Qualifying criteria includes: up to age 21 with a diagnosis
of MS and not attending another camp.
MS Summer Camp is for children and youth ages 8-15 from across Canada.
MS Leadership Camp is for ages 16-21. Leadership skills, self-sufficiency and self-confidence are emphasized while enjoying traditional camp activities.
All campers develop skills, grow in character and learn more about the value of
community and helping others. For 2012 camp video go to: http://youtube/Cfhg8c_YKv0
To apply, phone: 1-866-922-6065 x 3135, email: [email protected], or visit http://mssociety.ca/en/help/camp.htm.
Accessibility Assistance: For people on limited income, Leisure Access Passes provide 12 months free membership via Abbotsford City Hall, Abbotsford and Matsqui
Recreation Centers, Mission City Hall and Recreation Centre, as well as Chilliwack City Hall, Cheam Centre and Chilliwack Landing. When you apply, bring in last year’s
Income Assessment and/or Disability Pension Stamp/documentation.
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
Chronic Conditions/Pain Self-Management Programs
Upcoming fall sessions - The workshops are FREE, run for 2.5 hours, once a week, for
six consecutive weeks and provide information to help people learn how to manage
their condition and continue to live a healthy life. For further information on these
programs www.selfmanagementbc.ca.
ABBOTSFORD
Thrifty Foods Meeting Room, Unit 1010, 1888 Parallel Road, (Chronic Pain)
Saturdays, 12:00 pm—2:30 pm, September 17 to October 26
Abbotsford Regional Hospital, 32900 Marshall Road, (Chronic Disease)
Mondays, 10:00 am—12:30 pm, October 21 to December 22
ALDERGROVE
Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, 26770—29 Avenue, (Chronic Disease)
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm—3:30 pm, October 1 to November 5
CHILLIWACK
Lynwood Retirement Residence, 9168 Corbould Street, (Chronic Pain)
Thursdays, 10:00 am—12:30 pm, September 26 to October 31
MISSION
Lifetime Learning Centre, 32444 Seventh Avenue, (Chronic Pain)
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm—3:30 pm, October 22 to November 26
Register: Call 604-940-1273 or Toll Free 1-866-902-3767, register online at
www.selfmanagementbc.ca or email [email protected] with your workshop choice, full
name, telephone number and postal code.
Can Do MS - Webinar Series
2nd Tuesday of Each Month from 5:00 — 6:00 pm PST.
Ask questions and learn how to live your best life with MS. Can Do also has an archive
of previous webinars that you might find useful and informative. Upcoming sessions include:
August 13—Managing Speech, Language and Cognitive Challenges
September 10—Social Security: Understanding a Critical Safety Net
To register go to http://www.mscando.org/multiple-sclerosis-programs/webinar-series/register/
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
Resources
The MS Society is always updating their resources so we can provide you with the most current information. For the latest and
newest resources, visit www.mssociety.ca/en/help/pubs.htm
If you would like hard copies of any of these resources, please contact Debbie with your name, address, and the title of each
publication you would like.
There is a lot of information on the MS Society website and it is
updated as more information becomes available. Be sure to check the site often!
Self Help Groups
Trying to navigate through life with MS on your own? You don’t have to! Self-Help Groups are facilitated by volunteers interested in bring-
ing together individuals and families whose lives are affected by MS. Groups operate independently, supported by the MS Society of Can-
ada with information, promotion and resources. You are welcome to attend any Self-Help Group that works best for you even if you live
in a different community from where the group meets.
Chilliwack MS Self Help Group – Support group for persons with MS
Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm Decades, 45846 Wellington, Chilliwack
Abbotsford MS Self Help Group - Support group for persons with MS
Meets the 2nd Monday of the month, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Trinity Lutheran Church, 3845 Gladwin, Abbotsford
Mission Party (MS Self Help Group) - Support group for persons with MS Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 8469 Cedar Street, Mission
MS Family Members Group – Support group for spouses, family, and caregivers
of persons with MS. Open to family members from all Fraser Valley communities. Meets 3rd Saturday of the month, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 8871 School St, Chilliwack
Hope MS Self Help Group - Support group for persons with MS, family and
caregivers of persons with MS. Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month, 11:30am
Kimchi Restaurant, 821— 6th Ave, Hope
If you don’t see a support group in your community you are welcome to join any existing support groups. If your community does not have a group and you would like
to start one, please call Debbie Irwin at 1-877-303-7122.
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
If you have any questions you would like
answered in the newsletter, please email
“It's summer and time for wandering...”
― Kellie Elmore, Magic in the Backyard
Accessible Transportation
There are 3 types of accessible transit services in the Fraser Valley depending on where you live.
Fixed-route Bus Service provides low-floor or ramp-equipped buses for wheelchair
and scooter access.
handyDART transportation is for persons unable to use regular bus service without
assistance; is provided to/from accessible building entrances. Registration is required before you can use this service.
Taxi Saver Program for when handyDART is unavailable, provides registered handyDART passengers with subsidized
taxi service, giving them flexibility to coordinate their own trips. Restrictions on service may include ride sharing and
budget limitations.
For more specific details about service in your area, please
check our website, http://chapters.mssociety.ca/
default.aspx?ChapterID=712&PageID=3477&L=2 .
Caregivers Information and Care-Ring Voice Network
Click here to view the next issue of Caring for the Caregiver, from the MS Society.
For more information, visit http://mssociety.ca/en/help/iAmaCaregiver.htm
To check out prior and upcoming Tele-Learning On-Line Workshop recordings: http://
www.careringvoice.com/tele-podcasts.php
Care-Ring Voice Network Be sure to read the Spring 2013 Caring Voice SOAR
Newsletter. In this issue of Soar:
The Caregiver's Journey / Caregiving: A kind of grieving
Health Channel / Partners in Health: Caregivers need
consideration
Caregiver resources
Click here to access the newsletter and their archive of
newsletters from the past year.
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
2013 Scotiabank MS Walk
Thank you to all of the participants, donors, sponsors and volunteers for taking part in the 2013 Scotiabank MS Walks in the Fraser Valley. We have raised over $70,000 to
date!
To view the pictures taken at the Abbotsford Walk, please click here to be directed to
our Flickr site. Thank to you Cristal at Level 6 Photography for taking these pictures. Additional photos, taken by a vol-
unteer, are also posted there.
To view the pictures taken at the Chilliwack Walk, please click here. Thank you to Jessica at Capturing You Photography for
taking these photos.
Pictures taken at the Hope Walk can be viewed by clicking
here . Thank you to Lisa at Lisa Berry Photography for taking
these photos.
The dates for the 2014 Scotiabank MS Walks will be
announced in our next newsletter and registration will open
in November. Be sure to mark it on your calendar!
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
Volunteers needed
The MS Society is a volunteer driven organization. We
could not do all that we do without the time and efforts
given to us by our wonderful, dedicated volunteers.
Here are the latest opportunities available:
Abbotsford Agrifair & Rodeo Aug. 4th and 5th. The MS Society has an information
booth and we need your help! FREE gate passes and parking passes will be
provided for all volunteers. It should be a fun time! Shifts are for either 2 or 4
hours each between Sunday, Aug. 4th 10am-2pm; 2pm-6pm, 6pm-10pm and
Monday, Aug. 5 10am-2pm; 2pm-5pm. If interested, please contact Susan
Trithardt at [email protected] and be sure to put “Agrifair” in the subject line.
Cruisin' for a Cause Day at A&W, Thursday August 22nd. Various A&W's across
the Fraser Valley have celebrations going on and would love extra hands. We also
need people to stop by each store and thank them for supporting the MS Society.
Please contact Joanne Craven at [email protected], if interested.
The newsletter committee needs volunteers for many tasks including writing,
editing, deciding on content and direction of newsletter, as well as layout and design. The newsletter is published four times per year.
For more details or to apply for any of these opportunities, please contact Deanna at
604-746-9331 or [email protected], unless otherwise indicated.
Thank you to Cheam Golf Centre
Thank you to Ray Johnson and the staff of Cheam
Golf Centre for organizing their grand opening event
that took place on Saturday, May 25th. They donated
$5 from each green fee collected that day to the MS
Society, Fraser Valley Chapter. We were thrilled that
over $200 was collected on such a blustery day.
Thank you also to board members Marty Darrow,
Connie Wingert and Joanne Craven for attending the grand opening and talking to
golfers and staff about what the MS Society does in the Fraser Valley area.
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MS Society of Canada, Fraser Valley Chapter: PO Box 373, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6 www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley.
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, please email [email protected]
Board Meeting Schedule
The Board takes a break and does not meet during the summer. Meetings will resume in the fall and will be held on:
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Wednesday, October 24, 2013
Wednesday, November 21, 2013
All meetings begin at 7:00 pm. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Deanna at [email protected] or by calling 604-746-9331.
Contact Information
Please make note of our contact information:
PO Box 373 Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6
Debbie Irwin, Community Services
Coordinator:
Direct Phone: 604-602-3216 Toll Free: 1-877-303-7122
Deanna McIntyre, Fundraising, Event
& Volunteer Coordinator: Direct Phone: 604-746-9331
Toll Free: 1-877-746-9331
Fax: 604-746-9031
www.mssociety.ca/fraservalley
This newsletter is intended to provide news
and information to people living with MS,
their families, caregivers, medical profession-
als and other stakeholders. Information/
opinions contained in this newsletter are
obtained from sources believed to be reliable,
but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The
MS Society does not approve, endorse or
recommend specific products or services and
respects an individual’s right to make their
own health management decisions. However,
we can provide information to assist people in
their decision process. For specific, personal-
ized information, please consult your physi-
cian or other health care professional.
News from the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors elected their Executive for 2013/2014 at their latest meeting. The new Executive is:
Joanne Craven—Chairperson
Erin Coghlan—Vice—Chair Amir Amarhoun—Treasurer
Heather Armstrong—Secretary
The Board of Directors is actively looking for new members from
Chilliwack, Agassiz, Harrison and Hope. If you want to join them in guiding the Chapter to meet its goals or if you want to learn more about what the board does, please
contact Deanna at [email protected] or call her at 604-746-9331.