MSHH Newsletters

The MSHelp Informer

APRIL 2008

Mission Statement: “To create and provide services & resources that

will enhance the quality of life for people with Multiple Sclerosis.”

MS Helping Hands-MSHH is a non-profit, stand alone 501 (c) (3) corporation, licensed and registered in Washington State. MSHH is neither part of, nor affiliated with another local or national Multiple Sclerosis organization, and has been providing services and resources to people with Multiple Sclerosis residing in Washington State since 1999. MSHH believes in stopping the bleeding and then treating the wound! MSHH reaches out to people with Multiple Sclerosis, their families and friends.

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church

3201 Hunter Blvd. S.

Seattle, WA 98144

For additional information call

(206) 941-8940

For those of you who were not at the March 4^th SG meeting, we are providing you with an insert that could possibly save your lives! Please take the time to read it.

Robin Heslop, Crime Prevention Officer for the City of Edmonds, discussed the various ways a person can protect him or herself from what is rapidly becoming a major problem, “Identity Theft.”

Times have changed so much that a person needs to be aware of the various scams going around. Computers & emails have made all of us vulnerable to many scams and it is often difficult to differentiate between fact and fallacy. There is a saying that goes “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.” It is really sad that there are so many people looking for opportunities to take advantage of their fellowman, and they are very clever in the ways they do it.

Robin warned us about various daily habits and things we currently do that we need to change in order to maintain our safety. Each and every one of us is vulnerable and we shouldn’t wait until it is too late to make these simple changes.

You should also be aware that insurance companies offer many credits and discounts to people who take the time to protect themselves, their property and loved ones.

Please take the time to read and implement the changes suggested in the insert. Keep it handy and refer to it often!

SHE WILL BE MISSED

After attending her first MS SG meeting, Anna Gonzales made herself well known. It didn’t take her long to get involved and in no time she became one of the key volunteers at the Donor Closet.

Anna learned all the procedures for answering the phone call inquiries and requests from potential clients and soon began assisting them when they came in to pick up their items. The daily operation of the Donor Closet recycle area has run very smoothly under her direction. Her attitude and personality are refreshing to all who come in contact with her. Anna has a smile and charm about her that light up the entire facility when she is present, which is usually 4 to 5 days every week.

She is well liked and appreciated by all the volunteers who have worked with her.

Anna is moving back to Bellingham where she will be reunited with her son who has been living with his grandmother. Needless to say, she will definitely be missed!

When I first joined the Sno-King SG some 20 years ago, I quickly noticed that the meeting attendees were predominantly older women. I wondered where the men with MS were. There has been a myth for many years that the ratio of women to men with MS is better than 3 to 1. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I do know that there were a lot of men who had MS but didn't attend SG meetings because they had heard that the meetings were mostly for women. Likewise, spouses and caregivers rarely attended.

Over the years I have seen this situation change and, if our March 2008 SG meeting is any indication of things to come, the ratio of attendees is changing. It isn’t quite 50/50 yet, but it's getting closer.

It doesn’t take long before most first and second-time attendees, be they men or women, feel welcome and begin joining in the meeting discussions. I don’t know if it is just our SG, but we notice that the sharing of personal experiences and information has no gender barrier. I encourage everyone who knows someone with MS, whether male or female, older or younger, to invite that person to attend a SG meeting. MS support groups are for everyone, even caregivers.

PLANNING AHEAD

It seems that ever year, in our planning of various events and activities, we wait until the last minute to focus on recruitment of volunteers. This year that pattern has changed and we are planning ahead.

First, we are looking for bowlers, sponsors and prize donations for the June 7^th “MSHH Celebrity Bowl.” If you know of any bowlers or bowling teams who would like to participate, a possible co-sponsor for the event, or a business that would like to donate a prize, contact SammyJo Wilkinson (425) 361-2049 (See flyer insert).

1) The Edmonds 4^th of July Parade needs volunteers to be part of the Donor Closet Scooter Drill Team. Riders can use their own scooters or one will be provided. Walkers are also needed to carry the MSHH banner. It is a short parade route and is lots of fun. If you are interested, contact Roger Oliver at the Donor Closet (425) 712-1807.

2) Booth volunteers are needed for the Taste of Edmonds on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 8, 9 & 10, 2008. The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 pm., except for Sunday when the Taste ends at 7:00 p.m. We need volunteers to work two or three- hour shifts on those dates. If you can volunteer to help, or know someone who can, contact Bill Brayer (425) 712-1804. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

RESOURCES & SERVICES

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF) headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL has provided MSHH with handout information pertaining to their resources and services available to people with MS, many of which are free. You don’t have to live in Florida to benefit from these free resources and services.

The MSF handouts were distributed at the Donor Closet throughout the month of March, designated as National Education & Awareness Month. They were also available to those who attended the March SG meeting and, as long as the supply lasts, they will be available, along with other MS information, at future SG meetings.

If you would like copies mailed to you, call (425) 712-1804. You can also get on their mailing list and receive information directly from them. This is one of the most MS patient oriented organizations in the world.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (MSF)
6350 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-2130
Administrative Offices, Fund Raising, Donations, Advertising
Call toll-free (within USA): 1-800-225-6495
or Fort Lauderdale area (954)-776-6805
(9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time)
Fax: (954)-938-8708
E-mail: admin@msfocus.org

SUMMER OUTINGS

We tried to provide holiday sightseeing tours last year and had no takers, so we will now try again to arrange for summer tours as the weather improves.The van can transport up to 7 people including scooters & power chairs.

There will be a list of locations that we hope to tour/visit in the next newsletter. There will also be a name and phone number to contact if you are interested in participating. Join other SG members and enjoy a day or afternoon out!

And, speaking of outings, the Wednesday afternoon MS social group is still meeting at the Edmonds United Methodist Church at 828 Caspers St. in Edmonds. Several SG members get together from noon to 3:00 p.m. to play scrabble, and other games while spending three (+/-) hours of socializing. They usually bring a snack & something to drink.

At the April 2^nd social there will be tacos, cups of chili, pop & water provided by MSHH. So, come on out and enjoy! If transportation is a problem, contact Bill Brayer at (425) 712-1804. Please RSVP!

… Mary & Ernie Foster, parents of Debra McLaughlin. Mary & Ernie have been doing the monthly newsletter mailings for quite some time and are always there to pitch in and help at the monthly support group and annual potluck dinner meetings. They have a hobby that is second to none. They completely decorate their home, inside & out, for every holiday. If the sightseers are able and mobile, the Fosters even open their doors for inside tours. Next time there is a holiday, you should go by their home, 18521 – 79^th Place W, Edmonds 98026.

The following are the volunteers who put in over 200 man hours a week to make it all happen at the MSHH Donor Closet:

They handle everything from pickups, deliveries, repairs, refurbishing and clean-ing of equipment to waiting on the clients who visit the Donor Closet.

We have been so blessed to have these people as volunteers, helping to make other's lives more bearable. Several of them have been volunteers for 6 years or more along with Roger Oliver, who has been a volunteer since late 1999.

There is always room for one more if you care to get involved. Volunteers work one or more days a week for 5 hours each day, Mondays through Saturdays.

If you are interested, come on down and check us out at 409 Howell Way, Edmonds, WA 98020, or call Bill Brayer at (425) 712-1804.

Whether you need an outdoor or indoor ramp for your home, you might want to check with (Regional Access Mobility Program) “RAMP” a non-profit organization.

“Ramp” provides access ramps for material costs plus 25% that covers the screws, rails and other items required to install the ramp.

“Ramp” is located at 2812 Lombard Ave. Suite # 102, Everett, WA. 98201. Contact Jerry Otis, “Ramp” Chairman at (425) 387-2291, E-mail: jerry12102@aol.com.

The Donor Closet usually has new 7’ folding ramps, and occasionally a recycled portable folding ramp, for vans, pickups and SUVs.