MS Society of Canada Southwest Ontario Chapter
20-1100 Dearness Drive N6E 1N9 London, ON, 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 t...o 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

We know our world looks different right now and things continue to change every day, but one thing that remains the same is our commitment to the MS community a...nd to a world free of MS. Ensuring the health and safety of our entire community people affected by MS, volunteers, fundraisers, donors, staff remains our top priority. We have been monitoring restart plans in our communities across the country and have been working on our own plans. Given the nature and the risk of COVID-19 in relation to our MS community, we have made the decision to continue delivering on our mission within a remote working environment. We feel this decision will support our efforts to put the health and well-being of those we serve at the forefront of our work. This also means we will continue to deliver programs and events virtually until at least the end of this year. During this time, our work to support Canadians affected by MS will not stop. We are encouraging virtual ways to connect members of the MS community especially through this time period. While we cannot gather in person, we encourage you to take advantage of our digital platforms to continue to connect with each other. You can also visit mssociety.ca to learn more about our upcoming nationwide webinars, NeuroSask a virtual program that offers both physiotherapy-guided movement and an opportunity for social connection, as well as other wellness resources that may be beneficial during COVID-19. We are committed to updating you on any changes to in-person activities as they arise. We're also only a phone call away. Our MS Society staff from across Canada are working remotely to deliver on the promise of our mission. For general office questions or local fundraising or programs and services inquiries, please contact 1-800-268-7582. Additionally, our MS Navigators will continue to provide support to people affected by MS. For information and supports on navigating your MS journey, please contact an MS Navigator by calling 1-844-859-6789, emailing [email protected] or by live chat on mssociety.ca. Thank you for your continued support!

Being newly diagnosed with MS can be an overwhelming and confusing time. Starting October 3, the MS Society is hosting a three-part webinar series on various to...pics for people who are beginning their MS journey. You will learn from health professionals in the field of MS care as well as people living well with MS. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions that you may have about your recent diagnosis. Our first session called New MS: What I Would Want to Know will take place on Saturday, October 3 from 1 pm -2:30 pm ET with Dr. Robert Carruthers, an MS neurologist. This session will help participants navigate the medical landscape of early MS and introduce what to expect in the first few years of diagnosis. Registration is free for all attendees. Register today: https://bit.ly/3i1QwQW

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 benefit, 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.

Through a partnership with Toronto Rehab’s Together in Movement and Exercise (TIME), the MS Society of Canada is launching a free online, weekly exercise progr...am beginning September 23 and running for eight weeks. With many recreation programs and fitness centers closed due to COVID-19, people with movement challenges are facing greater risk of becoming less active. The TIME team at the University Health Network have developed an online version of their exercise program, designed to encourage people with movement issues to keep fit and stay active while remaining at home. This online program is curated for people with mobility challenges who want to: - Be more confident in their balance - Feel stronger and more active - Move with more ease in their home and community - Enjoy the many benefits of regular exercise The program will take place via the online platform, Zoom. Sessions include various fitness and wellness exercises curated to strengthen muscles in the legs and core, and improve coordination, agility, and overall fitness. For more information and to register, visit www.mssociety.ca/virtualtime.

Finch Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC is supporting our community! This has been a long and difficult time for everyone so Finch is ready to give back in a very ...unique way... Finch Match My Donation! They will match up personal donations, up to $1,000 for a total of $50,000 a month from September to December. If this campaign is a success, they will bring in $400,000 into our community! CHECK OUT the video https://bit.ly/35xK0Pn #SeeFinchFirst #FinchAutoGroup #MatchMyDonation #Community

"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 a...llowed 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 disease. 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.

Currently, every five minutes, someone, somewhere in the world is diagnosed with MS. There are now 2.8 million people worldwide who have multiple sclerosis, ac...cording to the most extensive global study to date. The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation’s most accurate estimate yet shows that there are at least 1 in 3,000 people living with the disease. The Atlas of MS reveals that the number of people living with MS has increased in every world region since 2013. Although better counting methods, more accurate diagnosis rates and population growth are just some of the factors behind the rise, an increased risk of developing MS cannot be ruled out. The neurological condition, which on a global scale touches at least twice as many women as men, affects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary widely from person to person, but can include blurred vision, tingling sensations, dizziness and fatigue. Despite common misconceptions, MS is not just a disease that affects adults. The global study reveals that there are at least 30,000 under-18s living with MS. Although this is the most extensive worldwide study that maps and counts MS, there are still gaps in the global evidence. The MSIF calls on governments, health professionals, patient organisations and others to improve collection of data on MS. Only by doing this will the true global burden of MS be visible. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/3bMYjAq. For information on Canadian MS stats, visit: https://bit.ly/3izLHzv

Are you the winner? Find out this weekend at Trivia Night for MS Couch Edition. Invite your friends and family over for a fun-filled evening of trivia in support of Canadians living with MS. This Friday at 7pm ET hosted by Lindsey Martchenko and Rachel Taylor ... OR This Saturday at 7pm ET hosted by Andrea Butcher-Milne and Katie Drake You could win any number of prizes, from PC gift cards to a two-hour golf simulator experience, right from the comfort of your own home. Tickets are $50 per household and can be purchased here -> https://bit.ly/34IFo85

Accessibility Standards Canada creates standards for federally regulated organizations and supports research to identify and eliminate barriers, and to prevent ...them in the first place. Accessibility Standards Canada has launched an online consultation in the form of a survey that closes September 18, 2020. The results of this survey will inform the research priorities for the next research funding call and the focus of the next set of accessibility standards. Find the online survey here: https://bit.ly/32ckVaq. You can also participate by email, mail, phone, and in American Sign Language or Langue des signes Québécoise! Phone 1-833-8547628 or visit https://bit.ly/2Zlp4a6 to take advantage of these formats.

The Government of Canada has announced a one-time payment of $600 to support Canadians with disabilities. Please note if you do not already receive disability b...enefits, you must apply by September 25th, 2020 to received this automatic one-time payment. On July 27, Bill C-20 (An Act respecting further COVID-19 measures) received Royal Assent moving forward the delivery of a one-time non-taxable and non-reportable payment of up to $600 to those eligible individuals. Many Canadians with disabilities will receive this payment automatically with other benefits however, you must be registered for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) to be eligible. You must apply for the DTC by September 25, 2020. A person may not have applied to the DTC because their low income makes them ineligible for the tax credit itself or barriers to receiving the credit approval from a health professional. This one-time credit does not need to be applied for specifically. To find more information read our full post on our website here: https://bit.ly/3lHBjYr. If you require assistance with your application, contact the MS Navigators at 1-844-859-6789 or [email protected].

If you could describe MS fatigue in one sentence, how would you explain it? Approximately 90% of people living with MS experience fatigue. MS fatigue can have ...a negative impact on work, family life, mental and physical health and social and recreational activities. On Friday, November 27th from 11 AM 12 PM ET, join Dr. Marcia Finlayson for an informative panel discussion on fatigue management as a part of our virtual MS Connect conference. Fatigue management is gaining more attention in the MS research community and a wider variety of approaches are being evaluated and tested for effectiveness. My panel discussion will address what we know about MS fatigue and the new directions being explored to help fatigue management. Sleep has a lot to do with fatigue, but we don’t study sleep much in this disease. I’ll be discussing how the interest in sleep is beginning to grow. - Dr. Marcia Finlayson, Queen’s University Register for Fatigue: Research Session and Q&A and the rest of our MS Connect sessions here: https://bit.ly/32frvwr.

While many events look different this year, the community spirit of #BurgersToBeatMS as we collectively slurp our Root Beers and snap our burger selfies will re...main the same. Join us on August 20 at 12 PM ET as we unite the MS community through Facebook Live on Burgers to Beat MS Day! Whether you are joining us from your patio, picnic table, or kitchen island, tune into the fun as you order a Teen Burger and celebrate this much-anticipated event of the summer! Come together with Canadians from coast to coast to show your support for the MS community and all those impacted by this unpredictable and debilitating disease. Want to support the campaign immediately? Donate to our Facebook Fundraiser to make 2x the difference: www.facebook.com/donate/3183439195082012/10159288466747494/. Your generosity will help fund essential research and support services for people living with MS in their communities.

Pics or it didn’t happen! If you’re looking for an excuse to take a shameless photoshoot of your meal, look no further. It’s for charity, after all . It’s #B...urgersToBeatMS Day, and today, taking a burger selfie means raising awareness of multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects an estimated 77,000 Canadians. So drop that burger selfie below . For one day only, $2 from every Teen Burger ordered through mobile ordering, drive-thru, or take-out will help support MS research to improve the quality of life for Canadians living with MS .

Time is running out, get your tickets now! Trivia for MS Couch Edition is coming up soon and you don’t want to miss out. Choose from Friday, November 13 or Saturday, November 14 to challenge your friends and family to a fun-filled evening that supports Canadians living with MS. The need for information, resources and support programs for people living with MS is as urgent and critical as ever and you can help provide this by joining Trivia for MS Couch Edition. ... Tickets are $50 per household and can be purchased here -> https://bit.ly/34IFo85

Calories don’t count if it’s for a good cause, or so we’ve heard . On Thursday, $2 from every A&W Canada Teen Burger sold will fund research that is fundame...ntal in changing lives for Canadians living with MS. Order a through: mobile ordering, drive-thru, or take-out. And don’t forget to grab your burger and tune into our livestream at 12 PM ET to celebrate the much-anticipated event of the summer. Tune in: https://bit.ly/2E6ahsd.

Thank you John!