MS Society of Canada AB/NT Yellowknife Office

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I was diagnosed with MS at 23 years old, and as the disease progressed, I became unable to work. Thirteen years later, I focus on living my life while respecting my boundaries. I know not to load too many demands on my body. By doing this, I can be more present in my day-to-day life. I spend my energy on my husband, my kids, and the things that bring me joy. I might not have a fancy career anymore, but my life is full, and I am happy. Today, I spend my time volunteering for ...the 1:1 Peer Support program, a program that pairs me up with someone else living with the disease to offer support. As a person living with MS, you have so much to offer those who are navigating these waters for the first time, and volunteering allows me to do just that. It’s so fulfilling to help someone through something that you’ve experienced before. I enjoy talking to other people about their experiences with MS, and I want those diagnosed now to be aware that there is so much progress being made in MS research and hope for the future. I've had struggles. I've had triumphs. MS is part of me, and it has shaped me. It has prevented me from doing some things, but it has brought so much good into my life too. There will be hard days, but you can always find joy even in the darkest places. Learn to listen to your body. When it needs a break, allow yourself time to rest. Eat healthy and prioritize exercise. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Above all, be kind to yourself. - Melissa, 1:1 Peer Support volunteer Are you at a place in your MS journey where you can provide support to other people affected by the disease? Sometimes the best person to talk to is someone who has been there. The MS Society’s 1:1 Peer Support program is searching for volunteers to help guide others living with and affected by MS. The program matches a peer someone affected by MS, with a volunteer someone who can provide a non-judgmental, understanding, and empathetic listening ear. If you are interested in volunteering, contact [email protected] or 1-800-268-7582 x3149.

Long before the pandemic, social isolation was an issue close to many hearts in long-term care. The MS Society’s Friendly Visiting program was designed to help with just that by assigning frequent volunteer visits to reduce isolation for people with MS in these residences. Sara, a Friendly Visiting volunteer, frequently visits Judy*, who lives in long-term care in Calgary.... I can’t imagine how hard things are for people, especially someone as outgoing as Judy. She was only allowed to see two people a week and had no outdoor activity. Now, her facility is on lockdown and she can’t see anyone, Sara says. During my last visit, I was eight months pregnant and had planned to stop volunteering for a while. I promised to send Judy photos of my baby. But when the lockdown started, I decided to continue our visits remotely. I didn’t want her to feel alone during all of this. Logistically, connecting with people in long-term care during COVID-19 isn’t easy. If residents don’t have access to an iPad or laptop, coordinating with facility staff to access these devices can be difficult to arrange. Staff also need to assist residents with mobility or dexterity issues to make calls. Despite these barriers, Sara arranged monthly calls with Judy through facility staff and continued her ‘visits’. In May, Sara gave birth to a baby girl, and as promised, emailed pictures of her newborn. At the next FaceTime call, Sara brought baby Hannah to the ‘visit’ - Judy was overjoyed! In a bleak time for many in long-term care, Sara’s commitment to support a member of the MS community has created so much joy and a much-needed distraction. Sara gives back to her community by helping people living in long-term care feel less institutionalized, less isolated, and more supported. On #GivingTuesday, we’re asking our MS community to support services, like Friendly Visiting, by joining our Giving Tuesday Match Challenge, where your gift (up to $50,000) will go 3x as far to help Canadians living with MS. Donate now and make 3x the difference: https://bit.ly/363pcPf. And learn more about Sara and Judy's story on our blog: https://bit.ly/37iETl6. *Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the residents.

CIHR and health partners invest more than $21 million in cannabis research. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and six health partners invest more than $21 million to fund cannabis research to advance our understanding of the potential benefits and harms of cannabis use. CIHR, in partnership with the MS Society of Canada, is providing $1.5 million in funding for a clinical trial which aims to determine the clinical effects of cannabis derivatives, THC and CBD, ...in treating spasticity and other symptoms of MS. Through this trial, Dr. Pierre Duquette, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), and his team of researchers will help establish evidence-based guidelines about the proper use of cannabis in treating symptoms of MS for patient and medical communities. The MS Society has always emphasized the need for continued investment in research to study the effects of cannabis. The trial that was selected as part of this partnership provides an opportunity to ensure there are effective evidence-informed treatment options to support symptom management, says Dr. Pamela Valentine, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada. Read more here: bit.ly/2Jheaxe See more

Many government programs are created to address injury rather than chronic disease. My healthcare team had trouble helping me access them because so many of the requirements are irrelevant to people who live with MS or another chronic disease. I imagine this creates more back and forth between insurance providers and doctors and in turn increases the burden on an already-taxed health system, particularly the chronic disease specialists. I also worry about how many people are... wrongly denied access to these programs or simply get tied up in the process longer than necessary. Nicole Nicole was diagnosed with MS in 2012. While she’s lucky to have a generous employer with an extended sick leave policy, not everyone is so fortunate. Many Canadians rely on public programs like the Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefit when they encounter personal health challenges that impact their ability to work. Unfortunately, for too many Canadians the inadequate length of time provided under the EI sickness benefit framework and other gaps in our social support systems means that they can’t use the program in the way it was intended, to help keep them working as long as they are able. The #TakeActionForMS campaign calls on the federal government to address these gaps in our support system which have always existed but were brought into stark focus by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s time for our federal government to #TakeActionForMS by extending the EI sickness benefit period up to at least 26 weeks. Join the campaign and #TakeActionForMS today: https://bit.ly/3o3lBHt

Q: How has MS affected your dating life? A: Dating is already difficult, but with MS, it’s become a daunting reality. I’ve found myself asking questions like when should I tell them about my MS? or how soon is too soon? You never know how the other person will react. In my opinion, telling them earlier is better. I want to respect their time, so they should know before things get too serious. With or without MS, there is always a fear of being rejected. But if I told some...one about my diagnosis and they responded negatively, I know that they aren’t the person for me. Observing the reactions almost serve as a filter, helping weed out the people who I feel might not grasp compassion or understand my situation. The person I date should be okay with accommodating my needs when I need to take care of myself. I've become a lot more guarded when it comes to meeting new people, but I'm slowly learning to embrace the vulnerability. With many impacted by MS during the formative years of their adult lives, millennials are not alone in the fight against MS. In 2020, millennials with MS are diving into the workforce, starting families, and advancing their education all during the biggest global crisis of the last century. In our latest blog series ‘Millennials and MS’, we sit down with young adults across Canada to discuss topics such as self-care, social media, mental health, and more to hear what they have to say about life with MS. This week, we sat down with Trish Yeung, a 30-year old woman living with MS, who has turned to mindfulness and meditation to support her through her MS journey. Read Trish's story: bit.ly/2UAiHNs

In the 70s, Canadian workers gained access to 15 weeks of paid leave under the newly-created Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefit. Fifty years later, the benefit remains virtually unchanged. The EI sickness benefit allows Canadians who are impacted by a personal health issue to adjust their work status and access financial support while focusing on their medical needs. Once an employee has worked 600 hours in the previous year, they are eligible to access the sickness ...benefit, which dispenses 55 per cent of insured wages for a maximum of 15 weeks. Once the 15 weeks are up, an employee must requalify by logging another 600 hours of work. As it stands, 15 weeks is too short a time-frame for many people with chronic conditions like MS to adequately recover given existing coverage gaps, and overall, Canada’s EI sickness benefit lags behind supports found in other countries. The #TakeActionForMS campaign is calling on the federal government to extend the EI sickness benefit to at least 26 weeks. We’re advocating for crucial changes to help ensure people who live with MS and want to continue working are able to do so. Take five minutes to email your Member of Parliament asking them to #TakeActionForMS today. Join the campaign: https://bit.ly/38Oj6nV.

When it comes to my MS, what works for me is being open and honest about my mental health. When you’re battling a chronic disease and feel like your life as you know it is being taken away, to say you’re emotionally affected is an understatement. Research has shown the link between living with MS and depression, and that’s why it’s critical for me to have strong coping skills and a loving support system. Researching lifestyle modifications and applying it to my own life enab...les me to take control of my health, which otherwise would be out of my hands. - Amanda, MS Society Young Adult Committee member As young adults try to manage MS, along with other aspects of life, prioritizing the importance of informed lifestyle decisions that can alleviate the impact of MS and minimize its progression is critical. On Friday, November 27 from 4:30-5:30 pm ET, join the MS Society’s Young Adult Committee in welcoming an expert panel of speakers who will provide an overview of relevant research in lifestyle modification and tips on how to apply them. Topics will include: exercise and physical activity, mental health, diet and nutrition, and research, and the panel presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register for the session here: https://bit.ly/388cyQF. Following the panel, there will be a Young Adult Social Engagement Session, where you can connect with other young adults from across Canada, talk about the information presented in the panel, and discuss what’s important to young adults affected by MS.

This Friday, Nov. 20 is the Women Against Multiple Sclerosis (WAMS) Gala presented by the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart program! We will recognize WAMS honourees from across the country who are making a difference in business and the community. We sat down with two of our honourees, Diane Kazarian and Linda McGowan, to get their thoughts on finding work/life balance, mentoring and the importance of achieving a world free of MS. Get to know Diane and Linda by reading our la...test blog: https://bit.ly/3kpanKU. Join us in celebrating all the honourees at the #WAMS Gala and become a part of a powerful collective of professionals nationwide in support of Canadians living with MS. Purchase your ticket today at https://bit.ly/3ls1Zvo.

"Confession time: I'm pregnant with my second daughter and I have MS. What does this mean? I get weird questions like: Have you spoken to your doctor? Are you allowed to get pregnant with your condition? Aren't you worried about your children? The irony is that I've even received these questions from my own mother. Receiving an MS diagnosis can be really scary, especially before you do any research. Just after having my first daughter, my neurologist diagnosed me with the dis...ease. It was terrifying because I knew my world was going to change and I thought it would be for the worse. However, what I learned is that I was embraced by a community that was supportive of my new journey and understood that I still wanted to work, travel, and have a family. Through this new step in my journey, I understood that I had triggers and that stress management became essential to my overall health and well-being. I surrounded myself with co-workers who became my extended family and helped me if I needed a moment to myself. Most importantly, I began seeing a neurologist that understood that I may want the option to expand my family one day. Here I am - pregnant with my second daughter - vulnerable by sharing my journey, but stronger because of it. I hope to raise my daughters to accept people's differences and learn from them." - Janelle, diagnosed with MS in 2016.

If you could describe MS fatigue in one sentence, how would you explain it? Approximately 90% of people living with MS experience fatigue. MS fatigue can have a negative impact on work, family life, mental and physical health and social and recreational activities. On Friday, November 27th from 11 AM 12 PM ET, join Dr. Marcia Finlayson for an informative panel discussion on fatigue management as a part of our virtual MS Connect conference. ... Fatigue management is gaining more attention in the MS research community and a wider variety of approaches are being evaluated and tested for effectiveness. My panel discussion will address what we know about MS fatigue and the new directions being explored to help fatigue management. Sleep has a lot to do with fatigue, but we don’t study sleep much in this disease. I’ll be discussing how the interest in sleep is beginning to grow. - Dr. Marcia Finlayson, Queen’s University Register for Fatigue: Research Session and Q&A and the rest of our MS Connect sessions here: https://bit.ly/32frvwr.

The MS Society’s Young Adult Committee, a voice for young people affected by MS to help enact change, asks you to be a part of the movement: #TakeActionForMS! As young adults, work is an important part of our lives. We want to contribute to our communities, but we need help to remain part of the workforce. As a person with multiple sclerosis, the episodic nature of our disease can affect our career path. The Employment Insurance sickness benefit framework, in its current st...ate, does not work for everyone, including many people with MS. Send an email to your Member of Parliament asking to extend the EI sickness benefit period from 15 to at least 26 weeks! Send your email now https://bit.ly/34XfD3Q. Let's act together! Let's be the movement! Let's #TakeActionForMS!

Want to learn about cutting-edge breakthroughs in MS research? Registration is officially open for our first-ever national MS Connect Conference, taking place online from November 23-28 for free! Hear from keynote speaker Dr. Jack Antel, who will be diving into how building progress in MS research is a multi-discipline effort to kick off the conference. Topics will also include: neurorehabilitation and MS, cognition, nutrition, fatigue, and more. Connect, discuss, and learn... about current MS research with the MS community people living with and affected by MS, health professionals, and researchers. Register today to learn about a disease that affects more than 77,000 Canadians: https://bit.ly/383yBIf.

Tomorrow, your vote for Battle of the Blades can help change lives for Canadians living with MS. It's showtime as two-time Stanley Cup champion Bryan Bickell and Canadian Olympic figure skater Kaitlyn Weaver lace up their skates for Battle of the Blades Season Six. The dynamic skating duo will compete to win the $100,000 prize for the Bickell Foundation, in support of the MS Society of Canada. Bryan is no stranger to MS. He was diagnosed in 2016 and has since been involved wi...th the MS Society of Canada, helping raise much-needed funds for MS research and programs and services. Now, Bryan and Kaitlyn need your support. Tune into #BOTB on Thursday, October 29 at 8 PM ET and vote after the final performance. Voting will only be open for a short window of time after the first three episodes in order to keep Bryan and Kaitlyn safe from elimination. Voting closes on Fridays at 3 AM ET/12 AM PT. Vote today: https://www.cbc.ca/battlevote/ (Photo credit: Courtesy of CBC / Battle Of The Blades)

Q: How has MS affected your dating life? A: Dating is already difficult, but with MS, it’s become a daunting reality. I’ve found myself asking questions like when should I tell them about my MS? or how soon is too soon? You never know how the other person will react. In my opinion, telling them earlier is better. I want to respect their time, so they should know before things get too serious. With or without MS, there is always a fear of being rejected. But if I told some...one about my diagnosis and they responded negatively, I know that they aren’t the person for me. Observing the reactions almost serve as a filter, helping weed out the people who I feel might not grasp compassion or understand my situation. The person I date should be okay with accommodating my needs when I need to take care of myself. I've become a lot more guarded when it comes to meeting new people, but I'm slowly learning to embrace the vulnerability. With many impacted by MS during the formative years of their adult lives, millennials are not alone in the fight against MS. In 2020, millennials with MS are diving into the workforce, starting families, and advancing their education all during the biggest global crisis of the last century. In our latest blog series ‘Millennials and MS’, we sit down with young adults across Canada to discuss topics such as self-care, social media, mental health, and more to hear what they have to say about life with MS. This week, we sat down with Trish Yeung, a 30-year old woman living with MS, who has turned to mindfulness and meditation to support her through her MS journey. Read Trish's story: bit.ly/2UAiHNs

In the 70s, Canadian workers gained access to 15 weeks of paid leave under the newly-created Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefit. Fifty years later, the benefit remains virtually unchanged. The EI sickness benefit allows Canadians who are impacted by a personal health issue to adjust their work status and access financial support while focusing on their medical needs. Once an employee has worked 600 hours in the previous year, they are eligible to access the sickness ...benefit, which dispenses 55 per cent of insured wages for a maximum of 15 weeks. Once the 15 weeks are up, an employee must requalify by logging another 600 hours of work. As it stands, 15 weeks is too short a time-frame for many people with chronic conditions like MS to adequately recover given existing coverage gaps, and overall, Canada’s EI sickness benefit lags behind supports found in other countries. The #TakeActionForMS campaign is calling on the federal government to extend the EI sickness benefit to at least 26 weeks. We’re advocating for crucial changes to help ensure people who live with MS and want to continue working are able to do so. Take five minutes to email your Member of Parliament asking them to #TakeActionForMS today. Join the campaign: https://bit.ly/38Oj6nV.

When it comes to my MS, what works for me is being open and honest about my mental health. When you’re battling a chronic disease and feel like your life as you know it is being taken away, to say you’re emotionally affected is an understatement. Research has shown the link between living with MS and depression, and that’s why it’s critical for me to have strong coping skills and a loving support system. Researching lifestyle modifications and applying it to my own life enab...les me to take control of my health, which otherwise would be out of my hands. - Amanda, MS Society Young Adult Committee member As young adults try to manage MS, along with other aspects of life, prioritizing the importance of informed lifestyle decisions that can alleviate the impact of MS and minimize its progression is critical. On Friday, November 27 from 4:30-5:30 pm ET, join the MS Society’s Young Adult Committee in welcoming an expert panel of speakers who will provide an overview of relevant research in lifestyle modification and tips on how to apply them. Topics will include: exercise and physical activity, mental health, diet and nutrition, and research, and the panel presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Register for the session here: https://bit.ly/388cyQF. Following the panel, there will be a Young Adult Social Engagement Session, where you can connect with other young adults from across Canada, talk about the information presented in the panel, and discuss what’s important to young adults affected by MS.

This Friday, Nov. 20 is the Women Against Multiple Sclerosis (WAMS) Gala presented by the LOVE YOU by Shoppers Drug Mart program! We will recognize WAMS honourees from across the country who are making a difference in business and the community. We sat down with two of our honourees, Diane Kazarian and Linda McGowan, to get their thoughts on finding work/life balance, mentoring and the importance of achieving a world free of MS. Get to know Diane and Linda by reading our la...test blog: https://bit.ly/3kpanKU. Join us in celebrating all the honourees at the #WAMS Gala and become a part of a powerful collective of professionals nationwide in support of Canadians living with MS. Purchase your ticket today at https://bit.ly/3ls1Zvo.

"Confession time: I'm pregnant with my second daughter and I have MS. What does this mean? I get weird questions like: Have you spoken to your doctor? Are you allowed to get pregnant with your condition? Aren't you worried about your children? The irony is that I've even received these questions from my own mother. Receiving an MS diagnosis can be really scary, especially before you do any research. Just after having my first daughter, my neurologist diagnosed me with the dis...ease. It was terrifying because I knew my world was going to change and I thought it would be for the worse. However, what I learned is that I was embraced by a community that was supportive of my new journey and understood that I still wanted to work, travel, and have a family. Through this new step in my journey, I understood that I had triggers and that stress management became essential to my overall health and well-being. I surrounded myself with co-workers who became my extended family and helped me if I needed a moment to myself. Most importantly, I began seeing a neurologist that understood that I may want the option to expand my family one day. Here I am - pregnant with my second daughter - vulnerable by sharing my journey, but stronger because of it. I hope to raise my daughters to accept people's differences and learn from them." - Janelle, diagnosed with MS in 2016.

If you could describe MS fatigue in one sentence, how would you explain it? Approximately 90% of people living with MS experience fatigue. MS fatigue can have a negative impact on work, family life, mental and physical health and social and recreational activities. On Friday, November 27th from 11 AM 12 PM ET, join Dr. Marcia Finlayson for an informative panel discussion on fatigue management as a part of our virtual MS Connect conference. ... Fatigue management is gaining more attention in the MS research community and a wider variety of approaches are being evaluated and tested for effectiveness. My panel discussion will address what we know about MS fatigue and the new directions being explored to help fatigue management. Sleep has a lot to do with fatigue, but we don’t study sleep much in this disease. I’ll be discussing how the interest in sleep is beginning to grow. - Dr. Marcia Finlayson, Queen’s University Register for Fatigue: Research Session and Q&A and the rest of our MS Connect sessions here: https://bit.ly/32frvwr.