activities calendar aug/sept

1TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867

AT A GLANCEAugust 19 Eating Well with MS page 1

September 5 or 6 Family Whitewater Rafting page 6

September 26 Home Smart Home Expo page 2

September 29 Book Club page 1

October 3 Jump for MS page 4

This summer the Northern California Chapter of the National MS Society is offering several learning opportunities via teleconference. These workshops will allow our members to participate in educational events while staying cool in the comforts of their own home.

Teleconference Eating Well with MS

Marco Vespignani, Naturopathic Doctor at the Institute of Restorative Health in Davis has worked closely with patients with MS and many chronic illnesses to provide nutritional guidance to maximize wellness and build resiliency. Learn more about nutritional strategies that can make a difference in your quality of life while living with MS. Wednesday, August 19th 6:00-7:00 pmCalling information will be provided when registering for the program at 1-800-344-4867.

Northern California ChapterActivities Calendar AUG–SEPT 2009

National MS Society—Northern California Chapter

Book Club If you love to read and enjoy discussing

books with other book lovers, join the MS Book Club!

The Northern California Chapter is introducing the start of the MS Book Club. Participate from the comfort of your home and enjoy the diversity of views and perspectives from members across the Chapter. Book club meetings take place every other month via conference call. Please call the IRC at 1.800.344.4867 to sign up and receive the call-in information.

A limited number of the books (paperback and audio) will be available through the Chapter’s lending library. Please request your copy when you register.

The first meeting date and book we’ll read is: Tuesday, September 29 at noon Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

In 1993 Greg Mortenson was the exhausted survivor of a failed attempt to ascend K2, an American climbing bum wandering emaciated and lost through Pakistan’s Karakoram Himalaya. After he was taken in and nursed back to health by the people of an impoverished Pakistani village, Mortenson promised to return one day and build them a school. From that rash, earnest promise grew one of the most incredible humanitarian campaigns of our time—Greg Mortenson’s one-man mission to counteract extremism by building schools, especially for girls, throughout the breeding ground of the Taliban.

24 JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

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Can you imagine living in your home for the rest of your life? The Home Smart Home Expo brings under one roof, for one day, access solutions for your

home! Come learn about cutting-edge home technologies and renovations that will enhance your life without compromising the beauty of your home.

$5.00 suggested donation. All proceeds will benefit the National MS Society.

Presentations:• What to Spend and Where to Spend it: True Costs in Home Improvement for Access

• A Tale of Two Bathrooms: When Art and Access Meet• The BEST Kept Secret in Accessibility in Personal Computers

Visit our website for a current list of exhibitors and presentationswww.homesmarthomeexpo.com

Presented by

Sponsored by In Promotion With

Resources for Independent Living

Saturday, September 26th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Visit our website for more

information



Who: National MS Society, key volunteers, group leaders, schools, churches and kids in the community

What: Families and groups hosting lemonade stands with The Stand Against MS messaging to raise awareness and funds for the National MS Society Northern California Chapter

When: Summer 2009

Where: Across 40 counties in Northern California

Why: Raise awareness and fundraise to create a world free of MS

How: Visit www.msconnection.org/stand to download your planning toolkit or call 1-800-344-4867

Take a Stand Against MS

Santa Clara Office First Tuesday of each month 6:30 to 8:30pm 2589 Scott Blvd.

San Francisco Office First Wednesday of each month6:30 to 8:30pm 1700 Owens St., Suite 190

Sacramento Office First Thursday of each month 6:30 to 8:30pm 4225 Northgate Blvd., Suite 4

Orientation for Newly DiagnosedAre you newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. On a monthly basis, this informative program, conducted by trained National MS Society staff and a registered nurse specializing in MS, will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed.

This orientation provides an excellent opportunity to have any questions you may wish to have asked and learn more about the resources available to persons with MS. Persons diagnosed within the past two years and their family and friends are welcome.

Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register please call 1-800-344-4867.

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Free Assistive Technology Assessments

The Sky is the LimitBy Sarah Hester, Program Manager

Who will jump for you?Last year, I decided that I would make the commitment to jump 15,000 feet out of a perfectly good plane to raise awareness and funds for the National MS Society, Northern California Chapter. Why? Because I can and I wanted to make a difference for people living with MS! This year, we are encouraging you and your loved ones to join us for a morning of exhilaration and empowerment.

You’re asking me to do what?!Yes, I’m asking you to make the jump for multiple sclerosis. If you can’t do it, who will do it for you?

Where will the excitement take place?We have made it a goal to have 30 people jump in Davis on October 3, 2009. Think of the possibilities that we will have if 30 people make the commitment to jump for MS!

How can I get involved?It’s easy! Sign up on www.skydive4free.com and choose then National MS Society, Northern California Chapter as your charity. Every jumper is required to raise a minimum of $500.

For more questions, or a little motivation, please contact Sarah at [email protected] or 1-800-344-4876 option 2 or visit www.skydive4free.com.

Through November 2009, the National MS Society is teaming up with two organizations in the Silicon Valley, TransAccess and the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, to provide computer capability evaluations and assistive technology assessments to our members located in Santa Clara County, along with parts of San Mateo and Alameda Counties. If you or someone you know lives with MS in one of these counties and could benefit from this free assessment, please email [email protected] or contact 1-800-344-4867, option 2, and ask for Melissa Struzzo in the Santa Clara office of the Northern California Chapter of the National MS Society.

ALAMEDA COUNTYAlameda, Ray 510-522-5210 or Sharon 510-521-6260Berkeley, Toni 510-735-7890East Bay Lesbians, Jane510-444-5257Fremont, Kim 510-793-0765 (on summer hiatus)Oakland, Katrina 510-568-2301Oakland: African Americans,Tracey 510-670-8633Oakland: Latinos,Elsa 510-777-1414Oakland: Teens, Kimberly925-470-8495 or 925-470-8495

CONTRA COSTA COUNTYBrentwood MS for lunchbunch, Kathy 925-286-7674or Julie 925-513-4686Mt. Diablo (Concord), Johnand Janis at 925-372-0859El Cerrito, Robert510-526-8196Richmond, Vanda510-559-1898

EL DORADO COUNTYPlacerville, Lisa 415-230-6678 ext. 2004 (on summer hiatus)

HUMBOLDT COUNTYEureka, Ann Louise707-839-0177 or Kim707-445-9803

MARIN COUNTYCorte Madera, Verita415-927-7068 or Anita415-892-5548

MENDOCINOMendocino, Joanne707-937-4929

MERCED COUNTYMerced: MS Challengers,Susan 209-384-6533

MONTEREY COUNTY Monterey, Susan 831-659-1354 or MaryLee 831-373-2450

NAPA COUNTYNapa, Colin 707-944-2262 or Penelope 707-265-9680

NEVADA COUNTYGrass Valley, Dan 530-272-7636

PLACER COUNTYAuburn, Ruth 530-888-8388Roseville: MinimalSymptoms Group, Brett orKelly 916-773-6799 [email protected], Marcia or Jerry916-408-7899

SACRAMENTO COUNTYElk Grove, Willie 916-684-1677 or Dorothy 916-684-6849Sacramento: Moving on withMS, Sylvia 916-349-1324

SAN BENITO COUNTYHollister Group, Gina831-636-3241, Robin831-636-0930 or Helen831-637-6267


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Northern California Self-Help GroupsThe Northern California Chapter sponsors a network of self-help groups for people with MS andtheir loved ones. The groups are peer-facilitated and meet regularly for educational and socialpurposes, allowing members to express feelings and provide support to one another.

Finding the perfect exercise program can be extremely difficult; whether it be the days and times the class is offered, the amount the class costs, or the location of the class. One option you may not have explored is checking out a community college nearest you. All community colleges offer great adapted exercise programs, 2-3 days a week.

The instructors meet with you to discuss your needs and your goals and then design a program that best suits you. Pre-registration is required and most classes are 12 week sessions. For assistance finding a program nearest you please log-on to msconnection.org/wellness or contact Sarah at [email protected] or 1-800-344-4876.

Wellness Programs Offered At Your Community College

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SAN BENITO COUNTYHollister Group, Gina831-636-3241, Robin831-636-0930 or Helen831-637-6267

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTYSan Francisco 20’s–30’s Group,Stephanie 415-722-1682 San Francisco Forum,Hose 415-587-7491SF Potluck Luncheon,Karen 415-584-6115(Meets periodically)SF Sunset District,Tatiana 415-665-1178

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTYStockton PM,Brenda 209-951-0536 orMary 209-334-5670Stockton AM,Betty 209-368-6026Tracy, Linda 209-833-6882

SAN MATEOFoster City, Eli 650-377-1970San Mateo, George650-593-5154SANTA CLARA COUNTYMilpitas, Indu 510-656-3408

Palo Alto, Luanne650-328-0179 or George650-593-5154San Jose, Cor 408-270-8922 or David 408-578-3752San Jose, Janine 408-794-0777Santa Clara, Brian408-739-9445 or Susan408-253-4489SANTA CRUZ COUNTYCapitola, Tom 831-684-2252 or Ada 831-440-1211

SHASTA COUNTYHope 4 MS, Beth530-246-8404 or Patricia530-222-7277 or Robin530-246-2980

SOLANO COUNTYVacaville, Marian 707-422-7515 or Debrah 707-447-9603 (before 7:00 pm)Vallejo, Marian 707-745-9333or Cheryl 707-751-3732

SONOMA COUNTYPetaluma, Sheila 707-765-6721Santa Rosa, Debbie707-569-9976

Rohnert Park/Petaluma,Debbie 707-569-9976Healdsburg, Kate 707-433-9194Sonoma Women’s Group,Noreen 707-933-9500

STANISLAUS COUNTYModesto, Pati 209-524-8329Turlock, Bill 209-664-1427 or Frances 209-667-2184

SUTTER COUNTYYuba City, Evon 530-701-2189

TEHAMA COUNTYRed Bluff, Teresa 530-529-4412 or Jodine 530-528-8767

TUOLUMNE COUNTYSonora, Steven or Gloria,209-532-5646

Self-Help Groups (continued)

NEW GROUP

NEW TELEPHONE SUPPORT GROUP FOR

CAREGIVERS

Call Nancy at 530-898-6637

American River, Coloma, CA

Saturday, September 5 or Sunday, September 6 10:00am – early evening

$25 per person

Grab a paddle and climb aboard: our trained guides have experience leading rafting trips for persons with disabilities. This activity is great

for folks of all mobility levels, but only those ages 12 and older, please.

This activity is without a doubt our most popular program offered at the Chapter. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up and reserve your spot early! Please choose only one day. The cost is $25 per person and includes lunch.

To register please call 1-800-344-4867.

Family Whitewater Rafting


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