What is a Teleconference?

A teleconference is an opportunity to learn new information from the comfort of home by allowing participants to call into a designated number to hear an interactive presentation over the phone. You can choose to participate in as many or as few teleconferences as you would like.  A moderator from the National MS Society will introduce the speaker and stay on the call to address questions as they may arise.  The speaker will address he group for about 30 minutes, after which participants can ask questions pertaining to the information shared during the call.

   Here's How to Participate!

Tired of Being Tired?  A Discussion of Fatigue

Guest Speaker:

Kathy Costello, Adult Nurse Practitioner and the MS Program Director for the Maryland Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the University of Maryland located at Baltimore, M.D.

January 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Fatigue is the most common symptom of multiple sclerosis  and is a major cause of unemployment among people living with MS.  This call will address the facts of fatigue: what it is, why it is so common, how to assess it and how to manage it.  There will also be a brief overviews of other symptoms of MS as they relate to fatigue.

This teleconference is appropriate for all persons wanting to receive more information on the symptom of fatigue ad treatment options.

Heath Insurance: Your Rights and Responsibilities

Guest Speaker:

Kim Calder, MPS, Senior Manager of Insurance Initiatives for the National MS Society

January 29, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

People with MS and their families know that health insurance is one of their most important live lines.  But confusion about health insurance, from employer-based health plans to Medicare and other government-based coverage, is common and understandable,  This call will provide an overview of the major sources of heath coverage for people with MS, with an emphasis on your rights and responsibilities as covered individuals.

This teleconference is appropriate for people living with MS and their family members who want to learn more about health insurance.

Financial Planning and MS

Guest Speaker:

Representative from Financial Education Partners.

February 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

The uncertainty caused by multiple sclerosis makes the need to plan for the future more important.  The aim of this call is to provide information and strategies to help individuals plan wisely for the future and address financial challenges that offer accompany life with MS.

This teleconference is appropriate for people with MS, their families and caregivers  who want to learn more about financial planning.

Finding Your Emotional Balance

Guest Speaker:

Louise B. Lubin, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Community Faculty member, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA.

February 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Aside from the stress that arises in daily life for everyone, MS creates its own emotionally taxing predicaments; not the least of which is dealing with the unpredictable course of the disease.  The first thing to know is that stress can make people feel worse, whether by upsetting their stomachs or knotting their neck muscles. Many people with MS say their experience more symptoms during stressful times. When stress abase, their symptoms seem less troubling or less severe. Therefore, learning to relax is essential.

This teleconference will focus on learning ways to identify and cope with the daily stress that life with MS can present.

This teleconference is appropriate for people with MS, their families and caregivers  who want to learn more about relaxation techniques in order to better cope with stress.

Making Your Home More Accessible

Guest Speaker:

William Edward Fuller, Ph.D., Virginia Housing Developmental Authority, VHDA in Richmond, VA.

February 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

This call will address accessible housing options and modifications for people with MS.  William Fuller, Ph.D. will present on many facets relating to making a home more accessible.  Topics to be discussed include ways in which one can select a builder with accessible experience and expertise, resources to help finance the project, important modifications to think about and more.

This teleconference is appropriate for people with MS and their families who have current or future home accessibility needs.

Vision and MS

Guest Speaker:

Warren L. Felton, III, M.D., Professor and Associate Chief of Clinical Activities in the Department of Neurology; Professor of Ophthalmology; Chair of the Division of Ophthalmology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.

February 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

This call will discuss how vision is affected by MS as well as possible treatment options.  Resources and equipment that may be used for people living with vision difficulties will also be examined.

This teleconference is appropriate for people with MS who have difficulty with vision and want to learn more about treatment options.

Current MS Research

Guest Speaker:

Peter Calabresi, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology at John Hopkins University and the Director of the John Hopkins Multiple Sclerosis Center in Baltimore, MD.

March 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Research is an important avenue to a world free of MS and there has never been a more promising and exciting time in MS research.  Join us on this call during MS Awareness Week to learn about the latest research initiatives in MS oral therapies, PROJECT 2010: progress toward neuroprotection and tissue repair, imaging, technologies, bookmarkers and genetics.

This teleconference is appropriate for anyone who is interested in learning more about current MS research.

Change Happens Though MS Activism

Guest Speaker:

Shawn O'Neail, Vice President Federal Government Relations, National MS Society.

March 12, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

The National MS Society and MS activists nationwide relentlessly advocate every day for federal policies and government programs to benefit the lives of people with MS and their families,  On this call, participants will learn more about the Society's 2009 federal policy priorities.

This teleconference is appropriate for anyone who is interested in learning how to be an activist for MS.