As the holiday season approaches we are bound to experience some stress and frustration and we often forget to pause to remember all that we have overcome and the many things for which we are thankful.
We are thankful for the love and support we share with family and friends.
We are thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in the quality of life in our community.
We are thankful to be reminded of the wonders of music and art and the beautiful state we are lucky enough to call home.
We are thankful for this season that brings us pumpkins and turkeys and a respite from the heat of summer and the stuffing recipe that was passed down on the back of a brown paper bag in grandma's handwriting and Veteran's Day in honor of those who serve to keep our world safe and most of all for this chance to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Featured Speaker: Maren Martin, LCSW Call to RSVP: 831-333-9091
MSQLP Support Group
11:00AM to 1:00PM Marina Library- Community Room
This month's support group will feature a presentation from Compassionate Care Alliance on Advance Healthcare Directives
Water Aerobics Program
Mondays & Wednesdays
12-1pm @ Monterey Sports Center
NO water aerobicson:
Wednesday, November 25th.
This program is offered free to families living with MS or Parkinson's.
Spotlight on the Monterey Weekly Gives! charity program
By Grant Helm, Executive Director/Client Services Supervisor
Ten plus years ago, a newspaper company local to Monterey called the Weekly decided to support the nonprofit community in a great way, by leveraging their own philanthropy and appeal to their large but local audience. In 2000, the Weekly established the Monterey County Gives! donation program as a donation-based fund managed by the Community Foundation for Monterey County, and have created an annual appeal in their publication and to their readers.
This year, the Monterey County Gives! donation program runs from November 12 through midnight December 31. And now thanks to the partnership between the Weekly and the Community Foundation for Monterey County, the Monterey County Gives! donation program boasts a bonus 15% match of any donation made to the Gives! Donation program in MSQLP's name.
We hope you'll join us in this collective project, make a tax-deductible donation, and simultaneously spread the word. Follow our social media page (Facebook/MSQualityofLifeProject) and help us spread the message on your Facebook or Tweet about Monterey County Gives! In support of MSQLP. Finally, we hope that you will continue to support MSQLP during this exciting donation campaign. And remember, 15% of your donation will be matched by the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Because every bit helps.
Monterey County Gives! donation program begins November 12.
Wanda's World (new article!)
Remembering to Relax
By Wanda Vollmer, Program Aide
Is it just me or has the world sped up? There are days when I am a hamster spinning in a wheel. These days we are expected to be more and do more. Finding calm, joy, stillness is something to "add to our list" instead of letting it happen. Societal pressures, social media, keeping up appearances has found a way to rule us. It seems that our society is not set up for us to have time to breathe, nor let us have room for a disease that rears it's head and can take your energy or your abilities. So, how do we relax?
1. Do one thing at a time. No really, try it. I found myself cooking dinner the other night and calling an old friend. I caught myself and walked away from the kitchen and gave my full attention to my friend. Lovely conversation.
2. Life is not perfect, why should we be? So what if I can't cook like the Barefoot Contessa or make crafts like Martha Stewart? I worked hard to have friends over the other night and all was great except I did not have time to get ready. No problem, good friends don't mind. It was a blast.
3. Find peace at least once a day. My leg was "buzzing" the other day. All day long as I was a moving target, all over the place with work, volunteering and a family gathering. I was uncomfortable most of the day but just ignored it. In the middle of the day, I took 20 minutes for myself. I drove down to the beach and found solace with the waves. This beautiful world where we live has so many gifts all around us. We just need to stop and notice them. Great medicine.
Drop those lists, resist the pressure you put on yourself and look at each day we are given. While we have some obstacles that others do not, we can use tools to make us stop and find the pleasures in everyday life. When we do this we can slow down, relax and manage MS in a better way and how we handle daily life.
Did You Know?
Making your healthcare choices known
By Maria Cambron, Intern
Make your medical care wishes be known to all family members. Wills, living will, death coverage etc., are documents many individuals don't plan for. The importance of having a living will (Advance Healthcare Directives) is something that will save families from a lot of trouble during a medical crisis. Advance Healthcare Directives is a legal document with specific instructions of the type of medical care an individual prefers. Planning ahead will provide you with the medical care you desire and will avoid the confusion and turmoil that can occur if you are no longer able to speak yourself. Furthermore, completing an Advance Healthcare Directive will take the burdens from family members or caregivers from having to make the hard decisions alone; and avoid disagreements with other loved ones regarding the decision made on your behalf. This document will ensure your wishes are followed by your word.
Often times, people avoid completing an Advance Healthcare Directive because they are "in good health" or are "not old enough or sick enough". But, this document is an essential tool for everyone regardless of illness, age, or health status. Unexpected circumstances do occur at any time and at any age. It is important for everyone to not only prepare an Advance Healthcare Directive but also to have open and honest discussions with their families about their end of life preferences. Do you want life sustaining actions whatever the cost? Do you want to live with a feeding tube? It is time to take action and make your answers known.
Come join our upcoming workshop and discussion on preparing an Advance Healthcare Directive. You will hear about the benefit of planning your medical and end of life preferences ahead of time. This workshop is on Friday, November 13, 2015 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Marina Library. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by calling 831-333-9091.
For the MS and Parkinson's families that attend the workshop, MSQLP will be offering assistance on opening up a family discussion on end of life choices and preparing an Advance Healthcare Directive.
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.
MSQLP participates in the following charity programs:
By Grant Helm, Executive Director/Client Services Supervisor
Below is a list of mobility devices and equipment for that is stored by MSQLP and available for loan:
1- Large Scooter
2- Small Scooters
1 - indoor wheelchair
1 - walker with seat
...and more!
You can view pictures of this available equipment for loan by clicking here.
MSQLP also has access to or inventory of various equipment such as canes, walkers, and toilet seats.
To inquire about the list of available equipment for loan, please call
831-333-9091.
We need volunteer drivers!
Call our office at
831-333-9091. Mileage reimbursement included!
Tip of the Month
Emergency Preparedness
By Kayshla Lopez, Intern
On October 18, 2015 there was a loss of power in the Monterey Bay roughly 55,700 people were affected. What would you do if basic services - water, gas, electricity or telephones - were cut off? If something like this were to occur again would our Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's community be prepared for a possible longer lasting emergency? Some of us have power chairs; do you have a manual wheel chair available as a back up plan? If and when another emergency strikes it is important to create a disaster preparedness plan. You know your functional abilities and possible needs during and after an emergency situation. Preparing a plan with your family and neighbors is important for your safety and for others.
Below are some steps to help you create a plan in case of an emergency.
Step 1) Personal Assessment: What do you need on a daily basis? Items of personal care, do you use an adaptive feeding device, do you have Electricity-Dependent equipment?
Step 2) Evacuation Route: Live in an apartment or home? Are there ramps? Do you have a specially equipped vehicle?
Step 3) Make a Plan: Meet with your family and friends to create a plan. Do you have an out of town contact, where will you all meet once a disaster strikes?
Additionally, it is always important to have a disaster kit.
Basic Disaster Supplies Kit
·3 day supply of non perishable food (ex. Canned tuna, vegetables, fruit etc.)
·water
·flash light and extra batteries
·first aid kit
·Hand Sanitizer
·whistle
·medications
·hearing aids
·manual wheel chairs
Once you have created your plan test it with an evacuation drill. Don't forget, review your plan every 6 months with your family and check your emergency food supply.
For more information about disaster preparedness please click the links below:
