Staying Connected...
with the MS community, medical experts, and MS organizations
MSAA encourages new relationships and the opportunity for clients to share experiences, information, and to enjoy improved wellbeing, through its sponsorship of support groups, awareness events, and therapeutic classes in different areas across the United States. For specific dates and locations, please refer to MSAA's Calendar of Events, found at www.msassociation.org.
MSAA's support groups typically meet monthly and provide a forum in which clients, family members, and care partners may discuss the challenges and emotions each is experiencing. Support groups frequently involve other activities, such as exercise, arts and crafts, and luncheons. Many of MSAA's support-group participants have chosen to reach out within their own communities and provide services to others with MS.
Building upon the success of our network of support groups, MSAA has developed Volunteer Action Teams (VATs). VATs may be comprised of individuals with MS or others committed to aiding the cause. Each VAT annually commits to arrange a certain number of local educational events, conduct community outreach activities, and raise a specific amount of funds for MSAA programs.
Awareness events include educational presentations and workshops, with guest speakers who are experts in their field. These events provide extensive information on MS, its symptoms, and its treatments, as well as news about helpful products or services, and motivational speakers who give support and encouragement.
Therapeutic classes are available in limited areas. These classes offer various types of physical activities to improve symptoms such as pain, fatigue, reduced mobility, and spasticity. Attendees often find these activities to be enjoyable socially as well. Examples of therapeutic classes include water therapy (aquatics), therapeutic horseback riding (hippotherapy), yoga and other forms of physical exercise.
MSAA's "Staying Connected" area of service also facilitates peer support and friendship through its Networking Program. MSAA's Networking Program is an online community of individuals with multiple sclerosis and their care partners who are interested in finding peer support and corresponding through email exchange. Participants in the program find it very helpful and reassuring to link with others who are affected by MS and face similar challenges. Additionally, this online format allows people to participate from their home around a schedule that best fits their lifestyle. This use of email correspondence is especially helpful for those who are unable to attend traditional support group meetings but still want to stay connected to the MS community. This online directory is password protected and available through MSAA's website.
In 2008, MSAA introduced a pilot Life Coach program to assist individuals with MS in achieving the highest level of both physical and emotional health. In this new program, trained and experienced life coaches lead weekly group sessions over the phone or online to teach problem-solving skills using real-life situations. Motivated participants learn strategies that will prove helpful throughout their journey with MS.
While MSAA's national office serves clients throughout the United States, MSAA's regional offices can provide additional assistance on a more local basis, facilitating outreach and awareness. Volunteer Action Teams (VATs) are groups of volunteers whose members may or may not have MS, and serve as advocates for individuals with MS. VATs assist MSAA's regional offices in providing local services by arranging educational events, speaking to community groups, and raising awareness about MS. Our regional offices support MSAA's mission by:
- Conducting awareness events (through seminars, luncheons, and open houses)
- Organizing and holding support group meetings
- Sponsoring classes, workshops, and therapeutic services, such as massage therapy, craft classes, exercise, hippotherapy (physical therapy through horseback riding), aquatics, and self-defense
- Bringing people together through networking and social events
- Employing volunteers to assist with regional activities
- Fundraising activities, such as the annual TransMontana Snowmobile Ride
Individuals interested in any MSAA activity may contact their nearest office for more information.
Multiple Sclerosis Coalition
MSAA is a founding member of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition (MSC), an affiliation of independent MS organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life for all individuals affected by multiple sclerosis. The MSC's mission is to increase opportunities for cooperation, and provide greater opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for the benefit of the MS community.
MSAA's Regional Offices
Midwest Regional Office:
5441 N. East River Road #380
Chicago, Illinois 60656-1199
(800) 532-7667, extension 150
Event line: extension 184
Email: midwest@msassociation.org
Northwest Regional Office:
600 Central Plaza, Suite #13
Great Falls, Montana 59401
(800) 532-7667, extension 131
Event line: extension 185
Email: northwest@msassociation.org
Southeast Regional Office:
c/o MSAA National Headquarters
706 Haddonfield Road
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
(800) 532-7667, extension 154
Event line: extension 187
Email: southeast@msassociation.org
Northeast Regional Office:
706 Haddonfield Road
Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
(800) 532-7667, extension 133
Event line: extension 180
Email: northeast@msassociation.org
South-Central Regional Office:
13410 Preston Road, Suite A-354
Dallas, Texas 75240
(800) 532-7667, extension 137
Event line: extension 182
Email: southcentral@msassociation.org
Western Regional Office:
1819 Polk Street
Mailbox #326
San Francisco, California 94109
(800) 532-7667, extension 155
Event line: extension 189
Email: western@msassociation.org
