summer 2015north state: Programs & services in your community

unless otherwise indicated, to register for any events, please visit nationalmssociety.org/calendar/norcal and select the date of the event, or call (800) 344-4867 (800-Fight-ms).

uPcoming Programsnewly DiagnoseD orientationsAvailable In-Person or Online

Are you newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? A diagnosis of MS can create many unexpected emotions that leave you with a strong need to understand the changes you may be facing. This informative program (available online or in-person) will address the most common concerns for people who are newly diagnosed and family and friends who want to learn more.

onlineThursday, July 9th and September 10th

6:00pm - 7:00pmOnline and over the phone

in-Person (one-on-one)Amy Clark is available for one-on-one orientations for people in the Santa Rosa, Napa, Marin, Yuba City, Chico or Redding area. To schedule a one-on-one Newly Diagnosed Orientation, please contact Amy at 530-863-7818 or email amy.clark@nmss.org.

ask the ms sPecialist with Dr. John schaFerFriday, July 10th | 5:00pm - 7:00pmThe Warfinger Building#1 Marina Way, Eureka

Saturday, July 11th | 2:00pm - 4:00pmC.V. Starr Community Center300 S. Lincoln St, Ft. Bragg

Do you have some burning questions about multiple sclerosis? Want to get some answers from an MS specialist? Dr. John Schafer is currently the director of the Mercy MS Center and Medical Director of the MS Achievement Center. He is an MS certified neurologist and practices with Mercy Medical Group in Sacramento. He is also on the clinical faculty of University of California, Davis, Medical Center. He will give a brief presentation about new developments in MS and will lead these question and answer sessions in Eureka and Ft. Bragg for people living with MS, their family members and care givers. Please RSVP for this important Q&A opportunity!

ms connect craFting socialWednesday, August 26th | 6:00pm - 8:00pmString Bead, Almond Orchard Shopping Center2201 Pillsbury Rd, Chico

Come get your creative juices flowing at our first MS Connect Crafting Social! At this event, you will be taught how to make a bracelet or necklace using beads and metal findings. Make a gift for yourself or for a friend and visit with

north state: Programs & services | summer 201508others who live with MS while you design and make your jewelry. Assistance will be available for anyone who needs help assembling their jewelry. All ability levels are encouraged to attend! $5 donation requested for materials.

sPecial access kayaking, whiskeytown lakeFriday, September 11th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm Brandy Creek Swim Beach,Whiskeytown Lake

Come to beautiful Brandy Creek Beach for an evening of adaptive kayaking! All participants will paddle in a tandem kayak with a trained, experienced kayak partner. A spouse, care taker or friend may accompany you on this tour; however, they may ride in a tandem kayak with another guest depending on ability levels. Please bring a snack and drink with you for this kayaking tour. Space is limited. $20 suggested donation. Call Jeff Gerbic at 530-242-3421 to register.

american river south Fork raFtingSaturday, September 12th |10:00am - 6:00pm Environmental Travel Companions River Camp

Grab a paddle and climb aboard! Environmental Travel Companions is leading a rafting trip exclusively for people living with MS. Anyone 12 years and older is encouraged to join, regardless of mobility level. Previous experience is not necessary, but space is limited so reserve your spot early. A picnic lunch will take place on the beach, so please bring your own meal as well as snacks to eat on the raft (i.e. granola or energy bars). Equipment, safety gear, and instructions are provided. Cost is $35 per person. To register, please contact Riely White at Environmental Traveling Companions at 415-474-7662 ext. 15 or riverprogram@etctrips.org.

telemeDicine anD other new DeveloPments in msSaturday, September 19th |12:00pm - 2:00pm Redding Christian Fellowship2157 Victor Ave, Redding

Dr. John Schafer from Mercy Medical Center in Sacramento will lead this physician speaker presentation on telemedicine (now available in Red Bluff) and other new developments in multiple sclerosis research and treatments. He is currently director of the Mercy MS Center and Medical Director of the MS Achievement Center. He is an MS certified neurologist and practices with Mercy Medical Group in Sacramento. He is also on the clinical faculty of University of California, Davis, Medical

register at nationalmssociety.org/can | 1-800-344-4867 09Center. Don’t miss this important meeting packed with new and important information for people living in the North State!

what’s haPPening in northern caliForniabay area• Love Lessons, July 14 in Berkeley• Coffee Connections, August 3 in Oakland• Mix & Mingle Networking Hour, August 3

in Walnut Creek• Newly Diagnosed Orientation, August 6 in

San Francisco• Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life,

August 8 in Berkeley• Free From Falls: Levels 1 & 2, October 1 -

November 19 in Oakland

central valley• Newly Diagnosed Orientation, August 4 in

Modesto• Relationship Matters, August 29 - 30 in

Murphys• Self-Advocacy Skills Training: Overcoming

Barriers to Getting What You Need, September 19 in Tracy

• Yoga Class for People Living with MS, Tuesdays in Modesto

sacramento• Getting Your Head Around Cognitive

Issues, July 15 in Sacramento• Free From Falls: Level 2, July 21 - September

8 in Citrus Heights• Newly Diagnosed Orientation, August 6 in

Carmichael• Mix & Mingle Networking Hour, August

11 in Sacramento• Love Lessons, August 12 in Citrus Heights• Supporting Our Loved Ones Teen Group,

August 15 in Citrus Heights• ReUseIt Clothing Drive, August 31

- September 13 in Citrus Heights & Sacramento

• Exercise Your Options: How to Move Forward with Physical Activity, September 15 in Carmichael

south bay• Free From Falls: Levels 1 & 2, July 16 -

August 20 in Monterey• Partners of MS Support & Social:

Communication and Intimacy, August 1 in Santa Clara

• Newly Diagnosed Orientation, August 4 in Santa Clara

• Love Lessons, August 18 in Santa Clara• Wine Down Wednesday, August 19 in Los

Gatos• Everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life

with MS, August 25 - September 22 in Santa Clara

• Self-Advocacy Skills Training: Overcoming Barriers to Getting What You Need, September 20 in Santa Clara

• Gentle Yoga for People with MS, Thursdays in Saratoga

• Horse Power: Living Strong with MS, Thursdays in Gilroy

north state: Programs & services summer 201510

selF-helP grouPsbutte county• Chico - Amy: 530-863-7818, Tracy:

530-343-3623

humbolDt county• Eureka - Ann Louise: 707-839-0177,

Kim: 707-445-9803

marin county• Corte Madera - Vicki: 415-987-5507,

Anita: 415-892-5548

menDocino county• Fort Bragg - Joanne: 707-937-4929

shasta county• HOPE 4 MS - Beth: 530-246-8404,

Patricia: 530-222-7277

sonoma county• Santa Rosa - Susan: 707-544-9654,

Debbie: 707-548-8437• Windsor - Kristina: 707-217-0289

sutter county• Yuba City - Evon: 530-701-2189yo

online• “Second Life” - John: 916-708-9708

selF-helP grouP leaDer neeDeD in naPa

There are many people living in the Napa area with MS and the need for self-help group has been voiced by many. The Society offers training for group leaders and can also help you find an appropriate location to hold meetings. Please contact Amy Clark at 530-863-7818 or amy.clark@nmss.org if you are interested in becoming a group leader.

Patient-leD initiatives in ms care

Would you like to have a more active voice in shaping your MS care? Dr. Elizabeth Crabtree-Hartman from UCSF is conducting a pilot project entitled, “Patient-Led Initiatives in MS Care” and my be visiting a self-help group near you. Please contact Amy Clark at amy.clark@nmss.org for more information.