Toronto - MS Society · summertime. It will give me resources and a connection to the MS Society. It will give me a whole other view of MS and I’m excited about that.” The selection

In June, Scarborough-based student

Allie received a life-changing phone

call from the Multiple Sclerosis

Society of Canada as she was

studying in a coff ee shop. She

was told that she will be receiving

a $100,000 Follow the Leader scholarship, made possible by KRG

Children’s Charities Inc.

“I was super excited. I defi nitely got

some strange looks,” she says.

Without having to worry about the

fi nancial impact of her education, Allie

will be able to focus on her studies.

“I’ll be able to work in a lab instead

of having to fi nd another job in the

summertime. It will give me resources

and a connection to the MS Society.

It will give me a whole other view of

MS and I’m excited about that.”

The selection committee sought

well-rounded, high-achieving

young people from the GTA with

an interest in an MS-related academic path. Also,

candidates were to have a close connection

with MS — either diagnosed themselves or with

an immediate family member with MS.

The goal of the scholarship is two-fold, says

Sylvia Leonard, MS Society of Canada national

vice-president, talent, programs and services,

“With the Follow the Leader scholarship, we

want to ensure that qualifi ed students who want

to pursue a career in MS are not only relieved

of fi nancial constraints, but also

inspired to become our MS leaders

of the future.”

Allie, now a science student at

Western University, says she was

immediately interested when she

came across the criteria.

“I have the right grades. I play

hockey and other sports. I am a

lifeguard and a swim instructor for

kids and adults with intellectual and

physical disabilities. I am in many

clubs at school,” she says. “MS is

a big part of my life, so a career in

MS just suits me and it’s what I feel

passionate about.”

Allie cites her mother, Susan,

who has lived with primary

progressive MS for 20 years, as

her role model. Susan has gone

from working at the offi ce full-

time to working reduced hours

from home. She is now using

a walker, and Allie knows a wheelchair will be

necessary eventually.

“It’s been hard to watch my mother’s health

slowly get worse. But she has never complained

about having MS.” Allie says. “Her strength and

perseverance inspire me. This scholarship will

help me make a diff erence in the lives of people

who are dealing with the same thing.”

TorontoMultiple Sclerosis Society of Canada | Toronto Chapter | Fall 2015

Meet Allie: $100,000 scholarship winner

Want to take on MS? Want to take on MS? Page 4.Page 4.

““MS is a big part of my

life, so a career in MS just

suits me and it’s what I

feel passionate about.”

Allie

2 MS Toronto | Fall 2015

Local events --------- Financial education seriesSponsored and presented by Vaughan & Associates Financial Services

September 15, 22, 29 and October 6 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

MS Society of Canada, York Region Chapter offi ce,17665 Leslie St., Suite 7 Newmarket

Topics include risk management, wills,

power of attorney and trusts, tax planning

and preparation and government

programs for families aff ected by

disabilities.

Ne

wm

arke

t

Government programs Sponsored and presented by Vaughan & Associates Financial Services

Wednesday, October 21 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Moose Lodge, 6 Kitchener St..Orillia

An overview of government programs

for families aff ected by disabilities

Ori

llia

Fast Forward your MS Knowledge Dr. Carolina Rush (University of Ottawa & Ottawa Hospital MS Clinic)

Wednesday, September 16, 20156:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Hilton Mississauga, 6750 Mississauga Rd.To register: 1-800-843-2438 or [email protected] the live webcast at www.webex.com/login/attend-a-meeting (meeting number 682 733 232)

Expert commentary and discussion on

current and emerging management

strategies for relapsing remitting MS.

Mis

siss

aug

a

Muck MS CanadaSupport the move to end MS by sloshing over, under and through 15 obstacles. Muck MS Canada is accessible for almost all levels of fi tness.

September 269:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Players Paradise Sports Complex565 Seaman St., Stoney Creek

Contact [email protected] or 1-800-268-7582. Visit muckms.ca for more information.

Ham

ilto

n

Sponsored by grants from Genzyme Canada Inc.

Visit mssociety.ca/gta-events to see a *full listing of events in the GTA and register online. *More fall events will be coming -- bookmark the GTA events link to make sure you stay informed!

MS Toronto | Fall 2015 3

----------> GTA & areaMS 101Dr. Dale Robinson, active staff consultant neurologist (associate) Markham Stouffville Hospital, plus a panel of persons affected by MS.

Saturday, October 171 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Newcastle & District Recreation Complex, 1780 Rudell Rd.Newcastle

For those newly diagnosed with MS

and their family and friends. Topics

include treatment options, coping with

MS, research and MS Society support.

Ne

wc

astl

e

Government programs Sponsored and presented by Vaughan & Associates Financial Services

Tuesday, October 277 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Beaverton Town Hall, 397 Simcoe St.Beaverton*Space provided courtesy of Township of Brock

An overview of government programs

for families aff ected by disabilities

Be

ave

rto

n

Mobility and MSDr. Melanie Ursell, assistant professor, Northern Ontario School of Medicine and neurologist, South Muskoka Medical. Matt Sanchez, physiotherapist, Aim 2 Walk.

Saturday, October 241 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Royal Canadian Legion 105 Industrial Parkway Blvd.Aurora

Learn about symptoms aff ecting

mobility in MS, aids that can improve

mobility and treatments for managing

mobility impairment in MSA

uro

ra

Sponsored by grants from Biogen Idec Canada Inc

Fast Forward your MS Knowledge (part 2)Dr. Rosalind Kalb and Dr. Daniel Selchen

Save the Date - Saturday, November 141 p.m to 4 p.m.Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Ave E.More registration information TBA

Topics will include empowerment

and living well with MS, fi rst line

therapy considerations, challenges

early MS patients face such as family

planning considerations and sexuality.

Toro

nto

Sponsored by grants from Biogen Idec Canada Inc

Contact Angela at 416-967-3034 or [email protected] for more information about

MS Society of Canada GTA education events.

Sponsored by grants from Genzyme Canada Inc.

What is I Challenge MS?Simply put, I Challenge MS is you. It’s a personal activity, event or

gathering where you are making a diff erence and raising money

for those living with MS. From community bake sales to a trek up

Mount Kilimanjaro, no challenge is too small or too big when you are

dedicating time, eff ort, and passion in the fi ght to end MS.

On the I Challenge MS online platform, you can access an

incredible library of resources and tips, share updates about your

challenge, and easily gather secure donations. MS Society staff are also

here to help you in setting up your challenge. Contact the MS Society

at [email protected] or 416-922-6065 or 1-800-268-7582.

4 MS Toronto | Fall 2015

Want to take on MS? Maybe you’ve thought

about gathering friends, colleagues, family and

strangers to raise money to end MS, but you’re

unsure how to go about it. Why not be inspired

by someone who made it happen? Robyn held

an obstacle course fundraiser in the summer

and raised more than $3500 toward ending MS.

Be fearless – Diagnosed with MS in 2014, Robyn

says she hasn’t let her diagnosis become her,

“This is now a part of me but I will not let it

defi ne me or be how I introduce myself to the

world.” When she wanted to raise money for

MS, she did it by kicking butt on a challenging

obstacle course and encouraging others to do

the same.

Be creative – Robyn was unsure how to

approach her I Challenge MS fundraiser at

fi rst. She considered holding diff erent types of

events, but wanted to do something that would

motivate and inspire her. So she looked to the

group she calls her “Toronto family,” Alpha

Obstacle Training, and found what she was

looking for. Focusing her event on something

that she already participates in and enjoys gave

the event more meaning to Robyn and played a

part in the event’s success.

Be resourceful – While Robyn’s hard work

was key to the event’s success, asking for

involvement from others made it easier. Robyn

secured hosting for the event from Alpha

Obstacle Training, and they also hosted a post-

event Block Party. Many sponsors came together

to off er prizes, games, activities and food. By

connecting with the MS Society of Canada,

Robyn was able to receive advice and support,

start an I Challenge MS online fundraising page

—which helped her easily track participants and

raise money — and get the word out about the

event through the MS Society’s networks.

I Challenge MS | Taking on MS Robyn-style

Robyn (front) wades through an obstacle with fellow

participants at Alpha Obstacle Training’s Race for the

Cure. Photo credit: Nikky Abrenica

MS Toronto | Fall 2015 5

Legal matters | VLAP makes legal assistance possible

The Volunteer Legal Assistance Program (VLAP)

is a pro-bono law program designed to help

people aff ected by MS who are having issues

in the areas of accommodation, employment,

human rights or tax.

As an example of a suitable case, Alex and

Irfan, litigation associates with Torys LLP, cite

workplace issues like an individual with MS not

being accommodated when returning from a

disability leave. Another example is providing

help to an individual who is claiming tax benefi ts

that may be contentious or not straightforward.

As a result of the MS training the lawyers receive

as volunteers with VLAP, Alex says they have an

understanding of some of the things that make

clients with MS unique. He adds that, being

general legal practitioners, they have a broad

knowledge base with which to approach the

issues clients can face.

When a case is referred to them through VLAP,

the volunteer lawyers decide the course of

action that will be taken. Often, the case is

manageable through summary advice, which is

a one hour advisory session that may involve the

lawyer providing written support, such as a letter,

for the client. In more complex cases, a scope

of work will be agreed upon before the lawyer

begins the case.

Alex and Irfan say they participate in this

program because it’s an opportunity for them,

as junior lawyers, to get interesting hands-on

experience. They also stress that Torys LLP takes

seriously the importance of pro-bono work. Alex

says, ”We think the partnership we’ve developed

with the MS Society is a good use of a very

limited resource, namely pro-bono time.”

If you or someone you know requires assistance with a legal or advocacy issue, contact the VLAP coordinator at or 416-922-6065 or 1-800-268-7582 ext. 3109 or [email protected]. Please note that every case will be evaluated for suitability and may not be referred for legal assistance.

Honouring a special volunteerCongratulations to volunteer Lia Messina (left) on being

awarded a 2015 Ontario Volunteer Service Award. We salute

Lia on this accomplishment and thank her for many years of

service as a member of the MS Society of Canada, Toronto

Chapter, board of directors, as well as for her continuous

eff orts to bring MS awareness to those around her.

My diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS happened

13 years ago and was a fairly quick process, mostly

because I had optic neuritis, the classic onset

symptom. However, learning how to disclose my

diagnosis took time and has required personal

refl ection and insight to become comfortable with

how to disclose, to whom and how much.

I have found there are “levels” of disclosure. For

example, at my MS Society of Canada support

group, I can share anything. It’s the place where I

know that I will be understood and supported no

matter what.

I did disclose my diagnosis immediately to my

family and close friends. It was diffi cult because,

while I needed their support, I wanted to protect

them from imagining the worse case scenarios.

In the end however, their support has been key to

helping me cope and stay positive.

Sometimes, I fi nd as a way of

trying to make me feel better

people who do not have MS

and perhaps don’t know about

MS symptoms can minimize

things I share with them.

For example, they may say

something such as, “That’s just

a part of aging” or, “I get that

too” which are not very helpful

responses. I have learned who

I can talk to for support and I have accepted that

not everyone wants to talk about MS, which is fi ne

with me because I certainly don’t always want to talk

about MS.

After I was diagnosed, I feared disclosing to my

employer would make them see me as less

capable. I only disclosed my MS diagnosis when

fatigue and leg pain made getting through the

day diffi cult and my health care providers were

recommending accommodations. My employer

was supportive in accommodating me with work

at home days, but the workload and complexity

of the work did not change. I started experiencing

cognitive defi cits such as problems keeping

focused, short-term memory loss and a general

slow down in thinking, all of which were worsened

by fatigue. To cope, I used visual aides and brought

important information home where I could read

without distractions, I also wrote everything down.

Three years ago, after 20

years in the community

health care sector in various

leadership roles, I reluctantly

left the workplace as a result

of the chronic neuropathic

pain and leg spasms that

impacted my sleep, along

with the side eff ects of my

medication.

I am now an active volunteer in my community

and I facilitate an MS Society self-help group. My

support group has helped me become more

accepting of my situation, which makes it easier to

disclose that I have MS. Also, I am less impacted by

people’s responses, which is important when most

of your symptoms are invisible, so when someone

says, “But you don’t look sick” or, “But you look so

good!” I can now smile and say, “Thanks!”

Need help or support with disclosing your diagnosis? Want to join an MS Society-affi liated support group? Contact Lynn at 416-967-3032 or [email protected].

6 MS Toronto | Fall 2015

Disclosing MS | Penny’s story

“My support group has

helped me become more

accepting of my situation,

which makes it easier to

disclose that I have MS.”

Penny

MS Toronto | Fall 2015 7

You work hard to earn the money you

donate. We work hard to make your

donations have the best impact. Last year

the MS Society of Canada invested your

donations in the following programs:

• $11 million in Canadian MS research –

research grants, scholarships, fellowships,

the endMS Research & Training Network

and investments through the Multiple

Sclerosis Scientifi c Research Foundation

• $9 million in programs and services –

including education programs, support

groups, recreational and social programs,

information and referral services, fi nancial

support for daily living or equipment need

• $6 million in public education and awareness – awareness campaigns,

newsletters

• $4 million in chapter and volunteer support and development – volunteer

recruitment and training, chapter support

from division and national offi ces

• $2 million in government and community relations – educating all levels of

government about needed changes to

benefi t Canadians living with MS and

assistance to clients dealing with local

transit and accessibility issues.

For more information about our impact and operations, visit mssociety.ca/about-us and click on Financial Information.

Donor dollars | Where does the money go?

In 2014, the MS Society of Canada funded a variety of

research topics.

Support group for men and women in southwest Scarborough The MS Society of Canada, Toronto

Chapter, wants to hear from you if you’re

a man or woman with MS interested in

attending a support group in southwest

Scarborough (Warden/St. Clair). This

group will provide people living with

MS an opportunity to share issues and

concerns in a positive way. Meetings

will be held one Thursday morning per

month. Please contact Lynn, manager

of programs and services, Toronto

Chapter at 416-967-3032 or

[email protected].

8 MS Toronto | Fall 2015

Toronto

Chair: Lia Messina

Regional director: Andrea Strath

Editor: Julie Crljen

MS Toronto is published by the Multiple Sclerosis

Society of Canada, Toronto Chapter. The

contents may be reprinted with customary

credit. Your submissions are welcome.

Contact us250 Dundas St W., Suite 500

Toronto ON M5T 2Z5

416-922-6065

[email protected]

mssociety.ca/toronto

Our missionTo be a leader in fi nding a cure for multiple

sclerosis and enabling people aff ected by MS to

enhance their quality of life.

Offi ce hoursMonday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact us prior to visiting if possible.

Charitable registration no.107746174RR0001

MS Society of Canada, Toronto Chapter, provides

the following services:

• Emotional support

• Equipment loans & funding

• Subsidies for home cleaning & incontinence

supplies

• Support groups

• Educational & wellness events, workshops &

presentations

• Referrals for recreation programs

• Opportunities to fundraise in support of

services & research into the cause & cure of MS

• Social action and advocacy

The MS Society of Canada thanks the following GTA sponsors of spring education sessions: Women’s College Hospital; Starbucks, Barrie, Bayfi eld Street; First Health Care; Susan Salek, ADP Medical Supplies & Services; Caldense Bakery, Whitby; Genzyme Canada; and Biogen Idec Canada Inc.