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34 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, October 12, 1988 Multiple Sclerosis support may be formed by Pat Webster What happens when MS strikes? This topic was the sub- ject of a meeting held in the library at Port Perry's Communi- ty Memorial Hospital on Wednes- day, October 5, at 7 p.m. The meeting was led by volunteer Mary Lynch, R.N., and Director of Education Services for the Durham Region Multiple Sclerosis Society. Mary explained that if there is enough interest, a local support group will be formed to cover the Township of Scugog, Brock Coun- ty and Uxbridge. She invited anyone interested in volunteering or becoming involved in any way with the MS Support Group, to the next meeting at the Uxbridge Library on Thursday, December 1, 1988. Dr. David Crisp, Neurologist and Medical Advisor to the Durham MS Chapter is at the meeting tonight with a slide presentation outlining the clinical course and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis. The disease is very variable, with the average attack rate once every two years, says Dr. Crisp. Most MS attacks have no symp- toms, but may be a physiological change in the brain when the covering of the brain, (called Myelin), that protects the nervous system is damaged, so messages cannot travel from the brain to different parts of the body. Some patients who have MS ap- pear to look perfectly healthy but are suffering from extreme fatigue. Others may have difficul- ty walking, lose balance easily, have poor co-ordination and other symptoms, not always noticeable. The effect of the disease varies with each patient. In some cases MS has little impact on the per- son's daily life. Others have to change their lifestyle. As yet the cause of Multiple Sclerosis is not known and there is no cure. It's common that people don't declare that they have MS for fear of los- ing their job or the embarrass- ment of the extreme fatigue they suffer. Dr. Crisp discusses the pros and cons of medications used to pre- vent or decrease the number of attacks. He says there is evidence that both the drug Cyclophosphamide and total lym- phoid irradiation can halt the pro- gressive phase of MS from one to three years, but eventually the condition returns. Physiotherapist, Tina Dem- mers, added to the discussion with an outline of the Assistive Device Program. "The purpose of this program is to ensure an in- dependent lifestyle for the MS pa- tient", says Tina. 75 percent of the cost of wheelchairs and mobility aids are covered by the govern- ment and 25 percent is covered by the individual, or may be covered by an individual's insurance program. If the MS patient needs a mobility aid to maintain their lifestyle, the patient's doctor will contact a physiotherapist at the Port Perry Hospital, who is a registered authorizer of the pro- gram. The physiotherapist then helps the MS. patient to consider the mobility aids available and decide what is most appropriate for them. A registered vendor in Oshawa is contacted and if the MS patient can't attend the vendor, the vendor will come to the Port Perry Hospital. Payment for the aid is between the client and vendor and reim- bursement may be made through private insurance if there is coverage. Tina commented that the Assitive Device Program is popular, so government funds are For instance, batteries for an electric wheelchair are not covered. Mary recalled one young MS patient remarking, Batteries aren't covered! I have never bought a car without a battery!" "An MS patient may be quite mobile, but a wheelchair can be a great help and convenience," says Tina. Extreme fatique is a common symptom of Multiiple Sclerosis. Later in the evening a member of our audience, Barry, says, "Most neurologists will scare you. It's something you have to get through and it's not easy to ac- cept."" Barry has found the cassette tapes about coping with MS, that are available from the Durham Region MS Chapter, par- ticularly helpful. He comments that for an MS patient undergoing problems with their sight, the tapes can be the ideal support. When I asked Dr. Crisp about this he says there are two main problems. '"'Fear of the unknown. - Or people's concept that they will end up with all of the serious symptoms, like paralysis and blindness, or always being in a wheelchair with no idea of how quickly this will come upon them.' Also, there are no diagnostic tests for Multiple Sclerosis, so that the physician is not immediately clear where he stands, says Dr. Crisp. Dr. Crisp tells me that in On- tario there are 20 to 30 cases of MS per 100,000 people, whereas in the Southern States there are only one or two cases per 100,000 people. Geographic areas, like Edmon- ton, Alberta, that have a higher latitude have a higher incidence of Multiple Sclerosis. More than 50,000 Canadians have MS, accor- ding to Dr. Richard Blanck, Neurologist from Great Neck, N.Y. . The International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies reports that it is estimated that well over two million persons worldwide have MS and closely related disorders, although it is not a reportable disease. MS is known throughout the world, but its incidence is higher in cold climates than in warm. All races and ethnic groups are affected, women somewhat more often than men. The reason for these differences are still unclear. Dr. Bill Mclliroy of Toronto Western Hospital points out that MS is a complex disease with no single pattern for any single per- son. MS is a crippler, not a killer, he says. Symptoms may be slight or more serious. MS symptoms can come and go and may even go permanently. Ron Coovadia, Pharmacist at Big V Drug Store in Port Perry, tells me that "Some people who have MS take large doses of Vitamin E and find tremendous response. But this is only heresay and not a fact."" Ron and his wife Shamim have had personal ex- perience with MS. Ron brought his father-in-law, who had MS for 28 years, over from Sweden to live with them. Shamim gave up her work as an Optician to look after her father when he needed full- time attention and was bedridden for about nine months. Ron noted that MS patients may have a totally variable lifespan. His father-in-law passed away when he was 68 years old. The daughter of one unique MS patient, Elodie Armstrong, who will be 90 years old this year, wrote to Ann Landers recently. Forty years ago Elodie was diagnosed as having Multiple Sclerosis. Soon after she wrote her Ten Commandments, which would probably benefit us all! Her Ten Commandments are as follows: MY TEN COMMANDMENTS _ Thou shalt not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities. Thou shalt not be fearful, for most of the things we fear never come to pass. Thou shalt not cross bridges before you get to them, for no one nas succeeded in accomplishing is. Thou shalt face each problem as it comes. You can handle only one at a time anyway. Thou shalt not take problems to bed with you for they make very poor bedfellows. Thou shalt not borrow other people's problems. They can take better care of them than you can. Thou shalt not try to relive yesterday for good or ill - it is gone. Concentrate on what is hap- pening in your life today. Thou shalt count thy blessings, never overlooking the small ones,, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one. Thou shalt be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your own. It's very hard to learn something new when you're talking. Thou shalt not become bogged down by frustration,, for 90 per cent of it is rooted iin self-pity and it will only interfere with positive action. Bonnie, a young mother of four, who has MS, explains to me that MS is generally a young adults' disease, that usually strikes bet- ween the ages of 20 and 40. She says, 'I was diagnosed two years ago, but I've probably had MS for about 10 years'. Bonnie is proud of her independence and it has on- ly been recently that she's started using a cane. She remembers how taken back she was at one of her first group meetings, when as a newly diagnosed MS patient, she noticed how many of the members were using some type of walking aid. - But when you have MS it's important to use your time wisely and conserve your strength for the significant things you want to accomplish. This past May, Bonnie was part of a very successful Carnation Day in Port Perry for Multiple Sclerosis. She says, "We receiv- ed a lot of support from the peo- ple and very much appreciated the help of the volunteers." Mary Lynch tells us that there are 360 people registered with the MS Chapter in Durham Region and 35 of these members are from the Port Perry and northern area. She would like to have alternate meetings in Uxbridge and Port Perry as the MS self-help and sup- port group forms. Before we end the meeting, Mary introduces Irene from the Ontario March of Dimes. They are conducting a survey of disabl- ed persons in Durham Region. Please call (collect if necessary) (416) 434-5280 if you would like to participate in this survey aimed at improving or developing ser- vices such as employment, hous- ing, transportation and attendant care. Cassettes about coping with MS are available through the Durham Region Chapter of the MS Society in Oshawa at 579-7727, or Interior Division at 1-800-268-7582. Mary Lynch expressed thanks to the Big V Drug Store at the Port Perry Plaza for sponsoring the printing of pamphlets about the meeting and providing refreshments and Community Memorial Hospital for the use of their excellent handicapped ac- cessible library and the delicious desserts prepared by the dietary staff. If you would like more informa- tion about the MS Support Group Hospital, Port Perry, 985-7321 and she will return your call as soon as possible. for our area please leave a message for Mary Lynch at the chapter, telephone 579-7727 or at the Community Memorial PORT PERRY PRINCE ALBERT UNITED CHURCH Rev. D. Robert J. LePage, B.A, M.Div. Rev. Don Tansley, B.A. M.Div. Associate Minister SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 Port Perry 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship Prince Albert 11:30 a.m. Morning Worship Nursery Care Always Available SCUGOG PASTORAL CHARGE Miss Edith Bolton SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 Anniversay : Scugog Island United Church 10:00 A.M. Speaker: Rev. B. Tadeja Music: Church Orchestra & Choir, The Tadeja Family & Sunday School One Service of Worship for the Pastorial Charge UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Dale Davis UCW Sunday OCTOBER 16, 1988 Blackstock 10:00 a.m. Guest: Carol Kilby Nestleton 11:15 a.m. Guest: Mavis Brodie Church School & Nursery During Worship GREENBANK PASTORAL CHARGE SERVICES Rev. David Shepherd, Minister 9:30 a.m. Seagrave 11:00 a.m. Greenbank 12:30 p.m. Pinedale COMMUNITY CHURCH CAESAREA Rev. Dr. W.H. Crawford SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 at 11:00 a.m. Family Worship Children's Church During Service Prayer & Bible Study Thursday at 8 p.m. 986-5526 or 986-0025 Welcome to the Country Church Sunshine Club Primary: - Tuesday, 4-5 p.m. Juniors: Thursday, 7 p.m. EMMANUEL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Rev. David Beesley, Pastor 985-9222 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 Morning Services at: R.H. Cornish Public School (Queen St.) 9:45 a.m. Family Christian Ed. 11:00 a.m. message: "People of the Word" (Ezra 7: 1-10) Special Music: Laura Binkley Evening Services at: The United Church (Lilla & Queen St.) 6:30 p.m. message: "People of Prayer" (Ezra 9: 3-10:1) Nursery Provided At All Services Tuesday Night is 'Family Night" 7-8:30 p.m. at the United Church Wed. 7:00 p.m. Youth Group (Call 985-3060 for info) "A CHURCH REACHING OUT IN LOVE" PORT PERRY BAPTIST CHURCH Hwy. 7A & Island Road East of Port Perry 985-8681 Pastor: Rev. David S. Daniels Sunday Services Bible School 9:45 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Junior Church & Nursery Provided Tuesday 9:45 a.m. Ladies Coffee Hour Classes provided 0-5 yrs. Wednesday 7:00 p.m. AWANA Boys & Girls Clubs Adult/ Youth Bible Study and Prayer Nursery Provided Special Welcome To The Handicapped "HOPE CHRISTIAN -. REFORMED CHURCH A Christian Reformed Fellowship 166 Simcoe Street, Prince Albert Rev. Bart VanEyk, Pastor "The Church of the Back-to-God Hour" Broadcasting Sundays 9:30 a.m. CHOO - 1390 AM and CKAN 1480 AM Services 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Nursery Provided "Everyone Welcome" EMMANUEL FULL GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP Durham Road 23 and 7th Conc. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Worship Services 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study A Church Moving In Spiritual Renewal PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CANADA Rev. Stuart McEntyre, B.A., B.D. 985-3881 -- 985-3409 ST. JOHN'S, PORT PERRY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 9:55 a.m. Family Worship Church School & Nursery BURNS CHURCH, ASHBURN 10:00 a.m. Church School 11:15 a.m. Family Worship ST. BERNADETTE'S CATHOLIC PARISH Sunday Mass 11:30 a.m. Nestleton Community Hall Nestleton Serving Cartwright Township Come On Home Father Tom Lynch 705-932-2712 NESTLETON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10:00 a.m. Worship Service & Sunday School All Welcome ANGLICAN CHURCH St. John's, Blackstock SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer Church School & Nursery Church of the Ascension SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 11:15 a.m, Holy Communion - New Rite Church School - Nursery