Upcoming Events
(click orange text for more event info or flyer)
3PM to 4:30PM
Sally Griffin Center- Pacific Grove
MSQLP Support Groups
MS Joint Support Group Meeting
Special Date: Friday, July 24th
11AM to 1PM
Marina Library - Community Room
Family Caregiver Support Group Meeting
Special Date: Friday, July 24th
11AM to 1PM
Marina Library - Outside Plaza
Both support groups will have the opportunity to see a presentation on Yoga Therapy, accessible for all, by Natalie Lott.
Water Aerobics Program
Mondays & Wednesdays
12-1pm @ Monterey Sports Center
This program is offered free to families living with MS or Parkinson's.
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TEAM FUNDRAISING
with Walk 'n Roll
By Grant Helm - Executive Director/Client Services Supervisor
We are excited to invite you to help MSQLP boost the fundraising of
Walk 'n Roll this year. By creating a fundraising team you can help increase the funding for local programs and services offered by MSQLP. This year's fundraising teams will help us cultivate community involvement and raise public awareness of local services for multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Want to create a fundraising team for Walk 'n Roll? Here's how you do it:
Step #1: Visit the Team Creation page by clicking here. Click the Create Team button.
Step #2: Register by connecting your Facebook or Google Account. Or you can create an account through Razoo.
Step #3: Search for "MSQLP" in the Charities section. Then you can create your team by naming your team, setting your fundraising goal, and adding a picture. Once you have created your team you will be able to invite others to join you via Facebook, email, etc.
The benefits of a Fundraising Team
Everyone on the Team gets their own Project Page. Each team member can upload their own photos and videos and tell a personal story about why they're part of the Team. The goal is to use your Team to answer the call to service, raise money for Walk 'n Roll and have fun while doing it!
If you have any question about how to set up your Team Fundraiser on Razoo, call MSQLP and ask for Grant!
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Tip of the Month
The Importance of Clinical Research
By Wanda Vollmer, Program Aid
At some point in your diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson's Disease (PD), you may have heard of or been involved in a Clinical Research Program. Clinical Research is a partnership that is between doctors and patients to improve medicine, learn about disease and/or gain insight on specific questions from a group of people affected by a disease. Why would you volunteer to be in a Clinical Research Program? Clinical research has led to important medical discoveries that can make our lives better. Volunteers are important to help find new and improved treatments and better ways to provide care. It's important to also remember, however, that not all studies lead to better treatments or new ways to care for a disease or condition. In some studies, results show that doctors are already doing what is best. Some people take the stance, "Why wouldn't I help?" We recently have been looking into some programs that collect data on MS and PD.
iConquerMS was established in 2014. It empowers people living with MS to participate in research. Those interested can log in and create an account that will allow their voice to be heard on living with MS.
There is also the Northern American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMs) This free long-term study has enrolled more than 37,000 participants, who complete surveys twice a year.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has developed the Fox Trial Finder to help those with PD into clinical research trials that will match their registrants to the trials that are best suited to their specific type of PD. To date, they have 47,597 volunteers participating.
The more information that is gathered from Clinical Research Programs, the more knowledge we all receive on improving lives and potentially finding cures to MS and PD. It is important to remember to speak to you doctor first before you agree to participate in a clinical trial, as your participation with a trialed therapy may influence your current medications.
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Did You Know?
Parking Placard Privileges
By Osiris Salgado - Case Manager
Disabled parking placards are sometimes a necessity for people living with MS or Parkinson's disease. Being able to park closer to your destination can help those with limited mobility save time and energy. Although many who have a disabled parking placard are not aware that they have special privileges beyond just the designated disabled parking spaces.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, 22511.5 (a)(1): A disabled person (DP) or disabled veteran (DV) displaying special license plates or a distinguishing placard is allowed to park for unlimited periods in any of the following zones:
- On-street parking spaces with the International Symbol of Access (wheelchair symbol).
- Next to a blue curb authorized for disabled parking.
- At any regular on-street parking spaces regardless of the posted time limit.
- Next to "limited time" green curbs.
- For free at any on-street metered parking space.
- In an area that indicates it requires a resident permit.
There are some limitations to the parking privileges granted with a disabled placard, such as:
- Vehicles may not park next to red curbs, which indicate no stopping, standing or parking.
- Vehicles may not park next to yellow curbs, which are for commercial vehicles to load and unload passengers or freight.
- Vehicles may not park next to white curbs, which are for loading and unloading passengers, or depositing mail in an adjacent mailbox, for longer than the 3 minutes.
More information about Disabled Person Parking, click here to access the website for the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Now is the time to...
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Website:
Our Mission:
The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project (MSQLP) recognizes that people living with chronic illness have unmet needs. MSQLP is committed to filling these gaps by improving the quality of life of persons with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the tri-county area of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito. Our programs serve families living with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Monterey County. We work with clients and their families to create comprehensive individual plans and programs that support client independence.
All of our services are free.
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Benefit MSQLP just through shopping online:
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Click on logo for details!
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Click on logo for details!
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MSQLP's Equipment Closet
By Grant Helm - Executive Director/Client Services Supervisor
Below is a list of available mobility devices and equipment for loan:
1 Manual Wheelchair
3 three-wheel scooters
1 powerchair
1 portable AC unit
You can view pictures of this available equipment for donation by
clicking here.
MSQLP's Equipment Reuse Program was developed to provide essential mobility equipment (for loan) to individuals who need a mobility device to get around while they wait for their prescribed device.
For health and safety reasons, mobility equipment is loaned to clients who have received a prescription for a mobility device from their doctor.
To inquire about the list of available equipment for loan, please call
831-333-9091.
We need volunteer drivers!
Interested in volunteering your time (and vehicle) to deliver equipment to families in need? Call our office at 831-333-9091. Mileage reimbursement included!
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Amy's Corner
Fatigue>Caffeine>Breast Tenderness?
By Amy Lamb Heckel, RDH
Fatigue is the most common symptom of MS. Over half of the people with MS are women. Caffeine is a common way that lots of people attempt to combat fatigue. As you can guess from the title of this piece, caffeine consumption results in breast tenderness for many women.
All women? No. Many women? Yes. You, or someone you love? If yes, read on. The relationship between caffeine and breast tenderness has been the focus of numerous studies. These studies have failed to provide a concrete answer as to the strength of the relationship between the two. It all seems to come down to personal chemistry. As MSers we are well aware that personal chemistry not only varies from person to person, but often from time to time within that same person.
Caffeine belongs to a group of chemical compounds called methylxanthines. Methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline) are often found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and even some medications. This compound is a vasodilator and therefore can cause blood vessels in the breast tissue to swell. Ow! In some women this engorgement makes their breasts feel as if they will explode. Alison Stanton noticed that the only time her breasts didn't hurt was, ironically, when she was pregnant. Why? "I almost completely eliminated caffeine." You can read Alison's story at the link below.
On a personal note, I find that if I keep my daily caffeine intake below 75mg it is much more comfortable when my cat sleeps on my chest. Here are some example caffeine contents; A Cool Mint Chocolate Clif bar has 50mg, a 12 ounce Mountain Dew contains 54mg, and each Safewayİ brand Stay Awake tablet has 200mg. Knowing about the possible breast effects of caffeine has certainly improved my quality of life, hopefully it can improve someone else's as well.
Click here for Alison's Story.
Click here for info about methylxanthines.
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Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project
519B Hartnell Street
Monterey, California 93940
831.333.9091
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on GuideStar and help us grow!
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