MS Society of Canada BC & Yukon, Northern Regional Chapter
PO Box 1116, 1323 5th Ave V2L 3L0 Prince George, BC, Canada

"What do you see here? Maybe you see a guy who is working out with no shirt, trying to boost his 'likes' on social media. Or maybe you see a guy who is trying to get a new picture for his dating profile. But what I see is a guy who works out without his shirt because he has severe heat intolerance and it’s the best way to control his body from overheating.... What I see is a guy who wears ankle braces when he works out because his ankles get too tired and weak to stabilize him. What I see is a guy whose left leg is so tired that he can’t hold it straight. What I see is a guy that no matter what life throws his way, will never give up. Remember, we all go through battles that no one else knows about." - Donavon, diagnosed with MS in 2016 Jennifer Lewans Photography

In the 70s, Canadian workers gained access to 15 weeks of paid leave under the newly-created Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefit. Fifty years later, the benefit remains virtually unchanged. The EI sickness benefit allows Canadians who are impacted by a personal health issue to adjust their work status and access financial support while focusing on their medical needs. Once an employee has worked 600 hours in the previous year, they are eligible to access the sickness b...enefit, which dispenses 55 per cent of insured wages for a maximum of 15 weeks. Once the 15 weeks are up, an employee must requalify by logging another 600 hours of work. As it stands, 15 weeks is too short a time-frame for many people with chronic conditions like MS to adequately recover given existing coverage gaps, and overall, Canada’s EI sickness benefit lags behind supports found in other countries. The #TakeActionForMS campaign is calling on the federal government to extend the EI sickness benefit to at least 26 weeks. We’re advocating for crucial changes to help ensure people who live with MS and want to continue working are able to do so. Take five minutes to email your Member of Parliament asking them to #TakeActionForMS today. Join the campaign: https://bit.ly/38Oj6nV.

When it comes to my MS, what works for me is being open and honest about my mental health. When you’re battling a chronic disease and feel like your life as you know it is being taken away, to say you’re emotionally affected is an understatement. Research has shown the link between living with MS and depression, and that’s why it’s critical for me to have strong coping skills and a loving support system. Researching lifestyle modifications and applying it to my own life enab...les me to take control of my health, which otherwise would be out of my hands. - Amanda, MS Society Young Adult Committee member As young adults try to manage MS, along with other aspects of life, prioritizing the importance of informed lifestyle decisions that can alleviate the impact of MS and minimize its progression is critical. On Friday, November 27 from 4:30-5:30 pm ET, join the MS Society’s Young Adult Committee in welcoming an expert panel of speakers who will provide an overview of relevant research in lifestyle modification and tips on how to apply them. Topics will include: exercise and physical activity, mental health, diet and nutrition, and research, and the panel presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register for the session here: https://bit.ly/388cyQF. Following the panel, there will be a Young Adult Social Engagement Session, where you can connect with other young adults from across Canada, talk about the information presented in the panel, and discuss what’s important to young adults affected by MS.

Just one week left until the Women Against Multiple Sclerosis (WAMS) Gala presented by the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart program! On November 20, we will recognize WAMS honourees from across the country who are making a difference in business and the community. We sat down with two of our honourees, Diane Kazarian and Linda McGowan, to get their thoughts on finding work/life balance, mentoring and the importance of achieving a world free of MS. Get to know Diane and Linda ...by reading our latest blog: https://bit.ly/3kpanKU. Join us in celebrating all the honourees at the #WAMS Gala and become a part of a powerful collective of professionals nationwide in support of Canadians living with MS. Purchase your ticket today at https://bit.ly/3ls1Zvo.

"Confession time: I'm pregnant with my second daughter and I have MS. What does this mean? I get weird questions like: Have you spoken to your doctor? Are you allowed to get pregnant with your condition? Aren't you worried about your children? The irony is that I've even received these questions from my own mother. Receiving an MS diagnosis can be really scary, especially before you do any research. Just after having my first daughter, my neurologist diagnosed me with the dis...ease. It was terrifying because I knew my world was going to change and I thought it would be for the worse. However, what I learned is that I was embraced by a community that was supportive of my new journey and understood that I still wanted to work, travel, and have a family. Through this new step in my journey, I understood that I had triggers and that stress management became essential to my overall health and well-being. I surrounded myself with co-workers who became my extended family and helped me if I needed a moment to myself. Most importantly, I began seeing a neurologist that understood that I may want the option to expand my family one day. Here I am - pregnant with my second daughter - vulnerable by sharing my journey, but stronger because of it. I hope to raise my daughters to accept people's differences and learn from them." - Janelle, diagnosed with MS in 2016.