Arkansas MSConnection Summer 2012

By BJ McBride

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers a scholarship program open to highly qualified high school seniors who have been diagnosed with MS or have a parent living with MS. Students are asked to apply and additional criteria include financial need, academic record, participation in school and community activities, and an essay (written by the applicant) on the impact of MS on his or her life. Awards range from $1,000–$3,000 and a small number of four-year awards are offered. These scholarships are made possible by foundations, individual donors and other sources. For the 2012 program year, the South Central Region of the National MS Society was able to offer 48 scholarships to High School Seniors. In Arkansas, six students were awarded scholarships for the 2012-13 school year.

Please join us in congratulating these outstanding scholars!

Stephen CrawfordStephen is from Hot Springs, Ark. He is a recent graduate of Lakeside High School. He plans to attend Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. During his high school career, Stephen participated on the basketball team and was involved with his church. His future goal is to pursue his degree in education, so that he can become a teacher. He then hopes to continue on to receive higher educational degrees, as he ultimately hopes to become a college professor.

M OV I N G TOWA R D A W O R L D F R E E O F M S S U M M E R 2 0 1 2

A R K A N S A S

CONTINuED PAGE 3

Scholarship Recipients Continued PAGE 3

Arkansas Walk MS Events Soar PAGE 4

Volunteer to Make a Difference PAGE 7

All the Marbles for MS PAGE 8

2012 MS Scholarship Recipients Awarded

Stephen Crawford

2 I JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org 3TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 I

THE MSCONNECTION is published by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Arkansas, 1100 N. University, Suite 255, Little Rock, AR 72207.

Little Rock Office 501-663-8104Outside Little Rock 800-344-4867Little Rock Fax 501-666-4355Arkansas E-mailstaff’s first name.last [email protected] www.msarkansas.org

Vice President of Development • Ray MackDevelopment Manager • Lisa FinkbeinerPrograms & Services Manager • Brooke SmithPrograms & Services Coordinator • Jessica FisherDevelopment Coordinator • Lindsay BrewerNewsletter Editor • Brandi Davidson Moore

Information provided by the Society is based upon professional advice, published experience and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician.

The Society does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The Society assumes no liability for the use or contents of any product or service mentioned.

©2012 National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Arkansas

Welcome New Vice President of Development – Ray Mack• Ray Mack joined the Society as the Vice

President of Development for Arkansas and Oklahoma on April 23.

• He previously worked for Marathon Oil in Project Management.

• Ray graduated from Regis University with a Masters of Business Administration.

• He is married to his beautiful wife, Jennifer Mack, and is a proud father to his daughter, Delaney, and son, Dante. They all reside in Oklahoma City.

• “After volunteering for over 13 years with the Society as Co-Chair of Bike MS Oklahoma and National Team Captain for Marathon Oil, I realized that I wanted to join the Society to fulfill my passion to create a world free of MS.”

Ray Mack with daughter, Delaney


NEWSFROM PAGE 1

Corey Hinrichs Corey is from Gassville, Ark. He is a recent graduate of Cotter High School. He plans to attend Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark. During his high school career, Corey participated on the basketball and track teams, the Cotter shooting team, in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, and the Spanish Honor Society. He was also involved in several disaster clean-up opportunities in his area. His future goal is to major in engineering. Upon graduation from College, his plan is to work for a major firm until he is able to open his own firm.

Cara McMahon Cara is from Wilmar, Ark. She is a recent graduate of Drew Central High School. She plans to attend the University of Arkansas- Monticello Campus in Monticello, Ark. During her high school career, Cara participated in Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Black Light Missionary, Spanish Club, National Society of High School Scholars, choir, as well as being on the basketball and bowling teams. She has also been a volunteer within her community. Her future goal is to major in education. She hopes to obtain her certification in Early Childhood Education, which would allow her to teach pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Ginnie SellersGinnie is from Wilmar, Ark. She is a recent graduate of Warren High School. She plans to attend the University

of Arkansas- Monticello Campus in Monticello, Ark. During her high school career, she participated in band, Beta Club, National Honor Society, SEABEC Ambassador, Future Farmers of America, drama club, and on the tennis team. She has also been a volunteer for her community. Her future goal is to attend the University. At this time, her major is undecided.

Kerric Turner Kerric is from Little Rock, Ark. He is a recent graduate of Jacksonville High School. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas- Main Campus in Fayetteville, Ark. During his high school career, Kerric participated in Future Business Leaders of America, Spanish club, German club, Future Christian Athletes, as well as being on the football and baseball teams. He has also been a volunteer within his community. His future goal is to major in Sports Medicine, in order to pursue a career as an athletic trainer.

Justin Willis Justin is from Austin, Ark. He is a recent graduate of Cabot High School. He plans to attend the University of Arkansas- Little Rock Campus, in Little Rock, Ark. During his high school career, Justin participated as a Law Enforcement Teacher’s Aide, in Skills USA, on the Cabot High School shooting team, as well as on the football team. His future goal is to major in Criminal Justice, where he hopes to make his community and the world a better place. Also view the 2012 scholarship recipients on the website! www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/arr/programs--services/scholarships/index.aspx

MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education. If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship program or for additional information about donating, contact Ray Mack at 800-344-4867, option 2, ext. 35119.

Cara McMahon

Ginnie Sellers

Kerric Turner

NEWS


Arkansas Walk MS Events Soar Above Expectations

By Lisa Finkbeiner

After all the balloons were popped and the banners folded to be stored for another year, research dollars from Walk MS Arkansas fundraisers continues to pour in. Team captains, individual walkers, team members, volunteers, sponsors and donors ALL brought their “A” game in 2012. All eyes were focused on the prize – to create a world FREE of MS – and, WOW, Arkansas made its mark!

Eighteen hundred walkers participated in the five Walk MS events located throughout Arkansas this spring. The Texarkana, Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas, Jonesboro and Hot Springs Walk MS events brought in over $210,000! From 2011 to 2012, Arkansas’ participation numbers DOUBLED and the fundraising dollars were increased by 28%!

Here are some neat facts about the five Walk MS Arkansas events in 2012:• Thirteen states were

represented across the five Walk MS events, ranging from California to Massachusetts!

• When the number of everyone’s years of participating in Walk MS events is added together, it comes to over 2,300 years of participating in Walk MS!

• There were over 35 Walk MS fundraisers (statewide) who raised $1,000 or more!

• There were 139 Teams registered for Walk MS events in Arkansas! (most EVER).

• When asked, “What is your connection?” at registration, 510 participants said they have a relative with MS (sibling, spouse, child, parent or other); 496 said they have a friend or co-worker with MS; and 171 answered they have MS themselves.

• Twenty-one teams raised $2,000 or more in 2012 resulting in almost $130,000!

• Over 7,720 emails were sent from Walk MS participant centers. The average donation per email fell at $27.20.


NEWS

Team Team Captain Amount Raised Team Arkadelphia Russell Strickland $28,742.00 Grammi’s Gang Angi Neal $16,089.22 Docs Fight MS Sister Eileen Schneider $9,380.00 Rusty’s Wranglers Briane Trevathan $7,805.00 Mosley’s Maniacs Christy Darrington $6,830.00 Jo and Sonda’s Gang Jo Jones & Sonda Oliver $6,245.00 Mighty Monty Jennifer Bohanan $5,975.00 “LADIES OF 798” O-LIMP-ICS TEAM Glynda Green $5,918.00 Team Hoot Holly Vinson $4,615.00 Team Hubb Tiffany Massengill $4,428.00

TOP TEN INDIVIDuALS: (*as of 6-6-12)

Team Captain Amount Raised Russell Strickland $28,742.00 Sister Eileen Schneider $9,300.00Angi Neal $6,289.50Jo Jones $6,245.10 Briane Trevathan $5,140.00 Glynda Green $4,448.00 Holly Vinson $3,980.00 Lynne Tussey $3,500.00 Karen Hubbard $2,795.00Becky Summers $2,780.00

The Arkansas Office of the National MS Society would like to graciously thank every volunteer Walk MS Coordinator and each volunteer committee member who gave tirelessly throughout 2011 and 2012. Without your passion and partnership, Walk MS events would be impossible to implement.To every volunteer who gave up their Saturday to fold t-shirts, grill hot dogs, cut bananas, man an information booth, or work registration, we THANK YOU! For YOU are the backbone of a smooth and successful event!

A shout out to each and every person who contributed either time or money to Walk MS 2012; YOU DID IT! You made this year the LARGEST event season in Arkansas’ history. The $200,000 mark was finally achieved, and we are one step closer to creating a world free of MS.

Congratulations to our Top Ten Teams & Top Ten Fundraisers!

TOP TEN TEAMS: (*as of 6-6-12)

Thank you for partnering with us to create a world free of MS.

A special thanks to our Walk MS Arkansas Statewide Sponsors:

NEWS


This Summer, Volunteer to Make a DifferenceVolunteering is always in season at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Volunteer opportunities are available for a wide range of talents and skills, and for both one-time and ongoing activities. Volunteering with the Society is a great summer activity for individuals and families, as well as groups from schools, churches and companies. Many corporations and organizations volunteer with the Society as a team-building experience.

For information on volunteer opportunities near you, visit volunteerMS.org or contact the National MS Society directly at 1-800-344-4867.

Bike MS 2012 Will Be Rock’n HotThis is not just a ride, but an experience; one of the best supported cycling events in Arkansas. Join us and over 150 of our closest friends September 8 & 9 as we tour the beautiful scenery of Central Arkansas from Little Rock to the breathtaking Spa City. Riders of all ages (minimum 14 years) and skill levels will set out on this two-day journey. You’ll begin your trek to Hot Springs from the stately Clinton Presidential Library while crossing the Arkansas River three times via the River Trail system. Travel through the byways and highways as you cruise into the Transportation Depot in downtown Hot Springs. After you have rested a bit and freshened up, enjoy a short walk through Central Avenue’s Historical District to our incomparable Celebration Dinner that will be held at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza. On Sunday, you will head out from the Transportation Depot and make your way back to the Clinton Presidential Library for an inspiring and rewarding Finish Line.

Invite your family and friends to join you at each

day’s finish lines. While you are experiencing 75+ miles of Central Arkansas terrain, your loved ones can enjoy the Spa City at its finest!

Rest stops will be along the route every 10 - 12 miles fully stocked with sports drinks, fruit, snacks, shade and a little pampering. For those not wanting to ride the whole 75+ miles, our omnipresent SAGs (safety and gear vehicles) will pick you up along the route, and move you forward.

It’s a challenging event, but one that keeps cyclists coming back year after year. Please join the mission and help find a cure for MS. For more information on participating, volunteering or donating, visit our website at bikeMSarkansas.org or contact Lisa Finkbeiner at [email protected] or 501-663-8104 ext. 35304.


PROGRAMSFive WordsBy Phil Griffey, contributing writer

The six iron I had just hit was short of the green. With my golf bag on my shoulder, I started up the fairway toward my golf ball, all the while with my best friend, Eric, ribbing me about the bad shot. Something was different this time though. Each step was increasingly more difficult. At first I wrote it off to the hot day and being 40 years old. After a few more tries at walking I had to stop, Eric asked if I was ok. “I don’t think so” was my answer.

Eric went to the clubhouse and got a golf cart to pick me up; I could not take another step. After sitting in the clubhouse and cooling off for an hour or so, I got up and could walk. The drive home from the golf course was filled with all kinds of thoughts of what had just happened. When I got home, my wife, Patti, sat and listened to my story and was as perplexed as me to what happened. Later that week, uncontrollable spasms in my left leg started. My leg would “jump” up and bang the underside of my desk at work. I knew something was not right. Our family doctor suggested an MRI. Patti and I went up to the hospital on a Saturday morning to get the MRI. The whole process was nerve racking and scary.

Waiting on the results was even worse but finally the results came back. That is when I read the five words that changed our lives: “Highly indicative of Multiple Sclerosis.” The first thing I did was call Patti. We had no idea what MS was all about. Once it became clear that this disease was not going to cause my death anytime soon I relaxed. The process of informing family members began soon after the diagnosis. Once we would tell family members of the

diagnosis we would have to explain what MS is and does. Seems there had been no one in our family tree that had ever had the same diagnosis, so MS was not a known entity. Our children, at the time, were young. Melanie was five and Sam was one year old. We never had a sit down and explain meeting with the kids. In

their memories dad has always had MS. They have grown up knowing their dad is different from others and allowances have to be made. Sam’s artwork from school would come home and show our family, mom, sis, Sam and dad with his cane. I cannot kick a football or soccer ball.

Climbing Pinnacle Mountain is out and no father/daughter dances could be attended. Patti and I chose to not make MS a scary thing in our kid’s eyes. We included them. Melanie sometimes gave me shots of my meds when she about 7 years old. Sam and Melanie are involved in fund raising events at school. They attend Walk MS events, MS nights at the ball park and other events. Our kids, through the years, have been made more aware of those in need and understand tolerance and compassion. However, they keep me grounded. They remind me constantly that I need to keep moving. I go to a lot of our children’s school, church and sporting events. I may be on my electric scooter, but I am there. My children have always supported me and I am determined to stay active and supportive in their lives as well. My wife and kids deserve all that I can still give.

Phil Griffey

by Yavonda Chase

Connor Grossman is determined to cure MS.

But he isn’t a neurologist or a drug researcher. Instead, he’s a 6-year-old boy from Rochester, N.Y., whose mother was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis before his first birthday.

A little more than a year ago, Connor decided to experiment with his marbles and paint. He placed a piece of paper in a cigar box, put a paint-covered marble into the box, closed the lid and shook. While the first attempt may not have been as Jackson Pollock-esque as later attempts, his mother Annette Grossman praised his skills and even commented that he could make some money with his artwork. The idea for Marbles 4 MS was born.

Marbles 4 MS isn’t a one-boy operation. The entire Grossman family is involved. In fact, Michael Grossman, Connor’s dad, estimates the family spends 40-50 hours a week on the project.

Connor’s brother, Jackson, 10, serves as production manager, which means he helps Connor create the paintings. Annette Grossman manages the website, Marbles4MS.com, while Michael Grossman handles all social media, including the project’s Facebook page that has garnered more than 1,200 likes.

At first, Connor’s goal was raising $2,500 for the National MS Society so “the scientist guys can find a cure for his Mom and everyone with MS,” according to the Marbles4MS website. He met that goal -- and didn’t stop there. A year later, Marbles 4 MS has sold about 1,000 paintings to buyers from every state in the United States, as well as from eight or nine foreign countries, raising more than $45,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

A trip to Texas in March 2012 for San Antonio’s Walk MS proved particularly fruitful. Bill Klesse, Valero’s chief operating officer and the top fundraiser in the annual San Antonio-based Bike MS: Valero ride, bought a large Marbles 4 MS painting for $10,000.

Connor and Jackson no longer limit themselves to paintings.

On Marbles4MS.com, patrons can purchase T-shirts, notecards and bookmarks that all feature the boys’ unique artwork. The newest product is cycling jerseys, complete with a special message in the pocket “We won’t stop until they find a cure, Love Connor & Jackson.” One looming project: jewelry made of marbles, according to Michael Grossman.

PROGRAMS

8 9TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 II JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Young Artist Goes for All the Marbles 4 MS

PROGRAMS

8 9TOLL FREE NUMBER 1 800 344 4867 II JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Also, there are plans for Connor and Jackson’s work to be sold at LandofMarbles.com, an online marble store. The boys’ work is already on display at Artizann’s, an art gallery in Naples, N.Y., and the boys will make two appearances there this summer as part of a painting demonstration sponsored by the gallery.

Of course, young Connor probably wouldn’t have come up with his idea if Annette Grossman hadn’t been diagnosed with MS in 2006. In 2002 after Jackson was born, Grossman said she began experiencing headaches, numbness, tingling and fatigue. Like many moms, she didn’t have time to be tired so she just went on with her life. After

Connor was born, the headaches, numbness, tingling and fatigue returned.

Doctors initially diagnosed her with post-partum depression, according to a video the family made about their experience. Then one day when Connor was about 11-months-old, Annette Grossman woke up to find she had trouble seeing. Optic neuritis had reared its ugly head, although the video reports that was initially

misdiagnosed as a scratched cornea. After seeking a second opinion, she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. While Annette was on steroid treatment for the optic neuritis, she lost the use of one of her legs.

MS isn’t new to the Grossman family. Michael Grossman’s sister also lives with the disease.

Both Connor and Jackson have grown up in a multiple-sclerosis

household. They understand when mom is having a bad-MS day. Even though Jackson is more than three years older than Connor, he can’t remember a time when mom wasn’t sick.

“They’ve dealt with it [MS] their whole lives,” Annette Goodman said. “They’re good at it.”

Both boys may be good at dealing with MS, but they’re determined to keep raising funds to fight the disease until scientists find a cure.

Yavonda Chase is a contributing writer from Little Rock, Ark.

Young Artist Goes for All the Marbles 4 MS

Marbles 4 MS paintings by Connor and Jackson

Saturday, August 25 • Little Rock, Ark. • 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

This is a program for individuals who have been diagnosed for two years or less, or who have never attended this program. Individuals will learn to “break through the barriers” and gain knowledge on these topics:

• MS Treatments and New Research• Wellness and MS• Talking with friends and family about MS• Managing the impact of MS on employment and the National MS Society

For more details and to register online, go to nationalmssociety.org/ok or by phone at 1-800-FIGHT MS (1-800-344-4867, option 1).

Moving Forward: A Program for the Newly Diagnosed


PROGRAMS

Arkansas Resource Highlight- Physical Therapy Institute of ArkansasBy Jessica Fisher

Physical Therapy Institute was founded in 2009 by physical therapists, Chris Long and Derek Lagemann. The organization’s goal was to develop a company that strives to obtain clinical excellence in all rehab settings. They are also attempting to improve continuity of care from the hospital, to the home, to outpatient centers, by providing skilled services in all phases of rehab.

PTI was established as a physical therapy provider however they have quickly evolved into a true rehab team through their services of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and audiology and home health. PTI covers a large area of Central Arkansas for Home Health Services. PTI’s home health therapists employ the same high standards of care as their outpatient therapists. Their home health area of coverage includes Pulaski, Saline and Faulkner counties.

Most recently, the Physical Therapy Institute and the National MS Society have teamed up to perform an educational experience, “Free From Falls,” addressing fall prevention of those affected by MS. The program is currently in progress and is educational both in curriculum and hands on exercises that are focused on the challenges of MS: balance, strength, stamina, flexibility and fall prevention.

The Society has been fortunate to develop a relationship with the PTI that truly helps meet the needs of people affected by multiple sclerosis. PTI has three convenient outpatient locations in Little Rock, Sherwood, and Maumelle where they can treat all orthopedic conditions including, but not limited to, low back pain, neck pain, upper and lower extremity pain, headaches, stroke, hand therapy and custom foot orthotics.

Feel free to contact PTI with any questions about your specific needs at www.ptipt.com or by calling 501-301-4530.

By Yavonda Chase

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis usually comes with as many questions as the disease has symptoms. What does this mean? Am I going to become disabled? Am I going to be in a wheelchair? How do I tell my loved ones? Should I tell my employer? Will I have to quit working?

For parents, there are additional questions: What do I tell my children? When do I tell my children?

Garry Teeter, a licensed professional counselor, National Board certified counselor and certified brain injury specialist and trainer in Bryant, Ark., understands growing up in an MS family. His dad, Charles Teeter, was diagnosed with the disease in 1954. Garry Teeter and his twin brother were born in 1955. MS was just part of life for them.

Now, Teeter works to help other families deal with MS.

Teeter recommends that parents have a clear understanding of what they are facing and try to get a grip on their emotions before telling their children about multiple sclerosis. He cautions that if the parents haven’t addressed the emotional aspect of the diagnosis, the child will pick up on the emotions instead of what is being said.

Children often internalize what they don’t understand, Teeter said. Parents need to be careful to ensure a child doesn’t internalize the diagnosis and believe MS is his fault — that he caused it and that he can fix it.

He recommends giving very concrete descriptions when discussing the disease with children.

For example, ask a child questions such as, “Have you noticed that mom or dad has had difficulty standing or been really tired lately?” Then, help the child understand that the reason for these symptoms is something called MS.

Children find their safety and security in their parents, Teeter said, so if mom and dad are OK with this, the children will be as well.

Teeter’s parents used an analogy of a lamp and its electric cord to explain the disease.

A lamp that has lost some of the protective coating on the cord will work, but the light may flicker or short out sometimes. Teeter said his parents told him and his brothers that repairs needed to be made to the cord and things had to be done to take care of the lamp.

“Don’t over communicate too much information that they can’t process or understand,” Teeter said.

Moving Forward: A Program for the Newly Diagnosed


PROGRAMS

CONTINuED PAGE 12

Sharing a Parent’s Diagnosis with Children


PROGRAMS

FROM PAGE 11

Also, be aware of teaching moments, he said. When an MS symptom occurs is a good time to sit down with the child and explain it. However, a good frame of mind at the time is key. If a child senses anger, then he may believe the parent is mad at him, not the disease.

Teeter also recommends that if a child wants to help, work with him to find areas to contribute. However, be careful not to overload the child and let him sacrifice too much.

While most parents with MS are dealing with younger children, some people are being diagnosed with MS at an older age. These cases offer the

potential for the child to become the caregiver, so parents need to allow time for the child to process that thought. Teeter said it is a good idea to reassure the child that this conversation is about giving them information and not necessarily about asking them to shoulder responsibility.

Teeter recommended counseling as an option for helping a family to develop a long-range care plan, as well as aiding a child who feels burdened or obligated by a parent’s diagnosis.

Yavonda Chase is a contributing writer from Little Rock, Ark

What if everyone living with multiple sclerosis could connect with one another, with those who care for someone living with MS, or with those who research ways to stop, restore or end the disease? The National MS Society is virtually making those connections a reality.

You can join the Society’s new MS Connection online community and make meaningful connections when, where and how you want. Best of all, you can connect with free, easy access

to the best content and resources the MS community can bring you, including photos, group discussions, updated blogs, videos and more. You’ll learn about topics that are most important to you, connect with others, and have expert MS information and opinions right at your fingertips.

Check out this new connected community at MSconnection.org today.

TriFest for MSSupport this inaugural event by our friends at Rampy MS Research Foundation. The TRIFEST for MS will be a three-day celebration that recognizes what can happen when individuals come together and encourage one another in greatness. There will be four triathalons, sporting

clinics, food, friends, family and a lot of fun packed into one weekend. Visit researchMS.org/trifest for complete information.

Get Connected and Raise Awareness with New Online Community


RESEARCHHotter Days May Worsen Mental Task AbilityPeople with multiple sclerosis often report worse symptoms when the weather is hot. A recent study concludes that hot weather may also worsen the ability to perform mental tasks in some people with MS. The research may help people plan activities and may improve the design of future clinical trials.

Warmer weather tends to worsen many people’s neurological symptoms of MS. Research also suggests that relapses are more likely to occur in warmer months; some people may have more MRI-detected active MS brain lesions during these months.

This study examined a possible link between outside temperature and the ability of people with MS to perform various mental tasks. Researchers compared 40 people with MS and 40 people without MS or any other condition that might have affected the results. Each participant was tested for the ability to process a mental task and for learning and memory. The average outside

temperature on the testing day was recorded. The results showed that people with MS tended to perform worse when the weather was hotter than when it was cooler. People without MS performed equally as well regardless of the outside temperature.

This study has several implications. Awareness of heat-related problems with mental tasks may impact lifestyle decisions; for example, whether to take a mentally-challenging college course in the summer or winter. The results also suggest that clinical trials involving people with MS should take temperature into consideration when designing the study and interpreting the results, especially when cognitive testing is used as a treatment outcome measure.

• Drink plenty of fluids. – Water is the fluid of choice.

– Drinking cool water can help keep you cool.

– Avoid caffeine as this acts as a diuretic.

• use fans, air conditioning, even hand-held spray bottles.

– Air-conditioners can be tax-deductible with a document from your physician.

• Exercise in a cool environment. – If you are exercising outside, pick the cooler

times of the day, usually early morning or evening.

– If exercising inside, using air conditioning or a fan can help maintain body temperature at

an appropriate level.

– Exercising in cool water (recommended temperature 80-84 degrees) is an excellent way to combat heat during physical activity.

• Wear commercial cooling garments such as vests, headbands and neckbands — many athletes use them.

– A simple damp towel can be helpful, if you do not have one of these products.

– Traditional wide brimmed hats and light-colored loose clothing also help.

• A cool bath or shower can also help reduce core body temperature following activity or exposure to a hot environment.

Some Common Minimizers to Beat the Heat:

A controlled study suggests that a six-week balance and eye movement-focused exercise program improved balance, reduced fatigue, and reduced disability because of dizziness or disequilibrium in a group of people with MS. The effects lasted for at least four weeks following supervised training. Larger and longer studies are needed to determine how long the benefits last, and which people with MS would be most likely to respond to the program. The study by Jeffrey Hebert and colleagues at the University of Colorado, Aurora was partially funded by a pilot research grant from the National MS Society.

This study is the first to examine the effects of an exercise program involving balance and eye movement training – or “vestibular rehabilitation” -- in people with MS to see if it improves both fatigue and balance.

For this controlled study, 38 people with MS were divided into three groups: one group did not participate in an exercise program and only received normal MS medical care; one group participated in a general exercise program involving endurance and stretching; and one group participated in the vestibular rehabilitation program specifically designed to improve balance. The endurance and stretching exercises included bicycle riding and exercise designed to stretch various muscles. The vestibular rehabilitation program included balance exercises on various surfaces, arm movements while kneeling, head movements on a trampoline and while fixating on different objects, and ball catching while walking; the program also included three types of eye movement exercises. Exercise programs were performed for 60 minutes twice a week in the clinic; a daily home exercise program, consisting of a subset of exercises performed in the clinic, was

also assigned to each participant. The exercise training programs lasted for six weeks.

Effects on balance, fatigue, dizziness, depression, and walking ability were examined at the end of the six-week program and then four weeks after the program had ended. At the end of the six-week period, the group that underwent the vestibular rehabilitation program showed improved balance, reduced fatigue, and reduced disability due to dizziness or disequilibrium.

Depression and walking ability were minimally improved. Four weeks after the exercise program ended, those in the vestibular rehabilitation program group continued to show benefit.

Based on these preliminary results, balance and eye movement training may help people with MS who are experiencing fatigue and balance problems. Those wishing to explore this option should consult with their neurologists, local rehabilitation facilities or hospitals to see whether this type of training is available.


RESEARCH

Eye Movement Training Focuses on Improved Balance


RESEARCH

Batesville Area Looking for a co-leader!! Jamie 870-834-3604

Conway AreaLeah Mohlke 501-450-0489

Hot Springs AreaCharles & Theresa 501-624-6033

Self-Help Groups & LeadersGreater Little Rock AreaStuart 501-835-6776Merten 501-223-8427

Northeast Arkansas Susan 870-239-2561

Pine Bluff AreaMyKenya 870-592-0055

Rogers AreaSusie 479-633-6694Sandra 479-685-4383

Springdale AreaJan & Hilde 479-445-6776

Van Buren AreaByna 479-650-6415Doug 479-462-9024

Dallas and Houston Researchers Examine MS Triggers in KidsInvestigators nationwide are recruiting children with early relapsing-remitting MS or CIS (clinically isolated syndrome, a single episode of MS-like symptoms), and children without MS or CIS for a four-year study to determine environmental and genetic risk factors that make children susceptible to developing MS. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, leverages the National MS Society’s support of the Promise: 2010 Pediatric Network of Centers of Excellence.

Findings from the study should help researchers understand more about how MS begins in children; this better understanding can eventually be applied to adult forms of MS.

Those under age 18 who had disease onset (MS or CIS) in the last two years may enroll in this study with the consent of their parents. Children without MS or CIS can enroll if they are 19 or younger and don’t have a demyelinating disease or an autoimmune disorder (except asthma).

Texas sites that are enrolling participants include

the MS Clinic for Pediatric Neurology at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and The University of Texas Southwestern Pediatric Demyelinating Disease at Children’s Hospital in Dallas.

For further information on this study, contact Janace Hart with the University of California – San Francisco at 415-514-2476.

For more information on these and other MS research advances, visit the Society online at nationalMSsociety.org and click the Research tab.

Arkansas ChapterNational Multiple Sclerosis Society1100 N. University, Suite 255Little Rock, AR 72207

POSTAL CARRIER – DATED MATERIAL PLEASE DO NOT DELAY

August 25 – Newly DiagnosedSeptember 8 & 9 – Bike MS Arkansas

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Arkansas MSConnection Summer 2012