template#2 for Adaptive Adventu - National Multiple Sclerosis Society

MSConnection
1999 #4
Northern California Chapter
Gardening (page 18)
Mountain Biking (page 25)
Water Fun (page 12)
Snow Skiing (page 14)
A D A P T I V E
A D V E N T U R E S
Tips from Toni..page15 New Regulations....22 Sonoma Waves....24
The National MS Society...One thing people with MS can count on.
I N
T H I S
I S S U E
From the Wellness Coordinator
Living Well ........................................ 3
Features
Therapeutic Horseback Riding ........ 4
Outward Bound with MS.................. 6
Sailing with MS............................... 10
Whitewater rafting, kayaking and
fun!................................................... 12
Adaptive Snow Skiing.................... 14
Raising a Garden............................. 18
A One-Off Tracking Adventure....... 25
Health Focus
The Jimmie Huega Center ............. 16
In Every Issue
Tips from Toni .................................15
Online with Bill Lind ....................... 20
MS & The Law
New Airline Regulations................. 22
Speak Out
The Jogger ...................................... 17
Volunteers
Volunteer Opportunities................. 22
Client Delivers Wellness ................ 23
Fundraising
Riding the Sonoma Wave .............. 24
READaTHON Results ...................... 26
Making Giving Easy ....................... 27
Milestones
Ten Years and Still Counting!........ 32
Listings
Recreation Resources ...... 8, 9, 14, 21
Self-Help Groups ............................ 28
Classifieds ....................................... 30
Calendar .......................................... 31
and...
Research Highlights pull-out section!
2 1999 #1
MS Connection is the quarterly
newsletter of the Northern California
Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It is mailed free of charge
to chapter members.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
is proud to be a source of information
about MS. Our comments are based on
professional advice, published experience, and expert opinion, but do not
represent therapeutic recommendation
or prescription. For specific information
and advice, consult your personal physician.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society
does not endorse products, services, or
manufacturers. Such names appear
here solely because they are considered
valuable as information. The Society
assumes no liability whatsoever for the
use or contents of any product or service mentioned.
© 1999
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Northern California Chapter
150 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 268-0572
Fax: (510) 268-0575
E-mail: info@nmss–nocal.org
Web: www.nmss–nocal.org
Chair
Jill Wright, MD
Vice Chair
Kathleen
O. McEligot
Secretary
Marc Stolman
Treasurer
Maureen Lucey
Mihelich
Chapter Programs Chair
Joan Hall-Feinberg
Chapter President
Julie E. Thomas
Newsletter Editor
Veronica Navarrette
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
F R O M T H E W E L L N E S S C O O R D I N AT O R
Living Well
Dear friends,
Welcome to the fourth and final issue of MS Connection
for 1999! We’ve had an incredible year, having explored some very practical and important issues associated with MS: managing symptoms, utilizing technology to enhance our productivity and quality of our everyday lives, and taking the necessary steps to secure
our employment and employability.
As 1999 draws to a close, your Chapter wants to
reaffirm our commitment to providing information,
services and opportunities to promote overall physical
and emotional wellness. Time and again, studies show
that physical activity, no matter how minor, reaps not
only physical benefits, but emotional ones too. Therefore, to end our year, we chose to dedicate this issue to
a less than practical, but just as important component
of everyone’s lives: recreational activity.
In this Adaptive Adventures issue of MS Connection, you can read about how others who live with MS
continue to challenge their physical limits by taking
part in a variety of adaptive recreational activities.
From sailing to mountain biking, from horseback
riding to whitewater rafting, there are many opportunities for people who live with MS to get physical and
stay active. We hope that these stories inspire you to
choose an activity you think might assist you in deriving the same benefits.
Let me also share that many have benefited from
the wellness programs sponsored by your Chapter. We
will continue to sponsor these programs and seek new
ways to further fulfill our commitment to your overall
wellness. If you have something to share or want more
information on your Chapter’s wellness programs, you
can e-mail me at [email protected] or call
1-800-FIGHT MS. Here’s to living well!
Yours Truly,
Our mission:
to end the
devastating
effects
of
multiple
sclerosis.
Linda Zukowski
Wellness Coordinator
Visit Our Website: www.nmss–nocal.org
MS Connection 3
T H E R A P E U T I C
H O R S E B A C K
R I D I N G
Let it Ride!
b y Judy Finelli
Excerpts taken from an article written
by Judy Finelli for Cane & Able newsletter, November 1997. Judy, who has
MS and suffered from a childhood fear
of horses, decided to try therapeutic
horseback riding after reading an article about another woman’s positive
experience.
A
massive exacerbation in 1993
left me feeling
unphysical and fearful
of taking any risks. I was
afraid of falling out of my
wheelchair. Deep down I still
longed for a challenge. Another thing, which drew me
back to the article, was that,
unlike other therapies, this
was one I could do outdoors. I
used to perform outside, and
missed it. So, I picked up the
article again, found the phone
number for North American
Riding for the Handicapped
Association (NARHA) and
called 1-800-369-RIDE to get a
list of the centers in California.
One turned out to be near my
house. By the time I arrived at my first
lesson, I was a nervous wreck. My
mind was racing. My thoughts went
something like this:
“What if the horse doesn’t like
me? Animals can sense fear. What if
the horse doesn’t want me on its back
and throws me like elephants do? ” and
so on.
4 1999 #1
The Horse
Then I saw my horse. In reality, he
was a sagging, light gray, middle-aged
Percheron who had seen better days.
To my eyes, he was a noble, white
steed who had just stepped out of the
mists of Camelot, complete with a
long, creamy white, flowing mane and
tail. His name was Chief. All of my
medieval fantasies of damsels and
knights were shattered
when, from a platform up a
wheelchair ramp, four
people hoisted me onto the
padded horse’s back and I
was deposited face down,
arms and legs wrapped
around the horse with my
head on Chief ’s rump almost touching his tail.
Guinevere I was not.
My next shock came when
the horse started to walk.
Horses don’t simply walk,
their bodies’ undulate,
ripple, rock forward and
back, side to side and diagonally in all
directions at once. Since I was also
jolted forcibly every which way, it was
intense, and because of my spasticity,
it was also painful. However, my instinct told me this pain would be
therapeutic. (I’ll take pain over numbness and deadness any day.) Also, as I
smelled the ocean air and felt the sun
and wind, I realized something wonderful was happening—I was moving
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
Riding rarely hurts me now. Instead of feeling jostled and jarred by
the horse’s movements, I am more
relaxed and can blend into the horse’s
gait. I don’t feel that tired or hungry
after the lessons anymore, just energized. I used to be stiff all the time.
My legs and hips feel floppy and loose
afterwards for the rest of the day.
This looseness occurs more and more,
even on non-riding days. My arms feel
stronger; I have
Physical Benefits
more sensation
I have been riding
below the waist and
I was moving through
for a little over a
a dramatic increase
space and I wasn’t in a
year. What benefits
in the involuntary
wheelchair or in a car, but
have I gotten?
movement in my
on a living being.
When I first
feet, ankles, legs
started, I could only
and lower back.
lie face down.
Emotional Benefits
When my teacher first asked me to
push up, my legs were so stiff, my
Riding, in addition, has been an excelarms so weak, and the horse so wide
lent mental exercise. I have to conthat I could only push up a few
centrate, focus and do specific things
inches. Little by little, I got so I could
as I ride. I have to stay in present
push up to sit facing backwards.
time. I feel pretty safe at the
Then I lay on my back face up with
Woodside Center as they do everymy legs around the base of the horse’s
thing possible to minimize the risks.
neck. Eventually, the side-walkers
Having exercised my will to overcome
helped me up to sit facing forward.
a childhood fear, I feel more positive
Whenever I got too tired, I could lie
about myself. Emotionally, I tend to
back. I changed riding centers in
hold in anger and sadness. During my
June 1997, and now ride at the Naearly days of lying face down, I always
tional Center for Equine Facilitated
felt the horse could literally shake
Therapy (NCEFT) in Woodside (650)
tears out of me. I couldn’t lie to my851-2271. It was here that I learned
self. I would ride and sob a lot then.
to use saddles specially made for the
Sometimes the tears were also of pure
disabled. I now can sit up facing forjoy. Now, I just feel the energy of exward for much of the lesson, most of
hilaration. the time. It feels great to stimulate
For Resources on Therapeutic Horseall those nerves, which branch out to
back Riding, please turn to page 8......
my lower spine.
through space and I wasn’t in a
wheelchair or in a car, but on a living
being. I was transported back in time
to a slower-paced world. So, my fantasy did come true in a way I couldn’t
have predicted. I was no longer
afraid. I was on my white charger. It
was delicious. Afterwards, when I
gave Chief a carrot, he ate it gratefully and let me pet his nose.
Visit Our Website: www.nmss–nocal.org
MS Connection 5
O U T W A R D
B O U N D
W I T H
M S
Bound for Adventure, Inside and Out
b y Michelle Armerie
Excerpts taken from an article written
by Michelle Armerie for Abilities magazine, winter 1997. Michelle, who has MS
and is a wheelchair user, was one of 12
participants on a Zurich Access to Adventure Outward Bound wilderness
program sponsored by Zurich, Canada.
O
ur fifth day out
brought a special surprise.
We had barely set up
base camp when it was
announced that we
would each be going on
a solo outing. Furthermore, although we were
to do this as an exercise
on our own, we were
still a team. Therefore, each of us
would be going through the same
thing, at the same time; and that, we
were told was reassuring.
As the afternoon grew to a close,
we were each taken, one by one, with
our sleeping bags and mats, a
packsack of clothes, a small bag of
food and a piece of plastic for a tarp,
to an isolated area on the lake—and
left alone.
It felt like some sort of rite of
passage. I was ushered out of the
canoe and left on a rock ledge to set
up camp, with my meager supplies—
6 1999 #1
and a whistle, just in case of emergency. Very reassuring, that whistle . .
quite . . .
Nearly immediately I made
friends with a cedar tree. “Tree,” as I
decided to call it, volunteered to hold
my tarp up all night (or so I hoped).
Tree and I bonded instantly, although,
in hindsight, sap may have had something to do with it.
I had a sense that the
day was growing late. I
set my supper preparations down on the rock
surface: a baggie of
couscous to mix with some
of the water I had in my
jug. As I reached for the
jug I brushed against the
couscous, which of course started to
roll, picking up speed as it went over
the edge of my rock to the ledge just
above the water below. Foolishly, I
started to go after the baggie—but
Tree sent a message in the wind: “You
are not wearing your life jacket!”
Let’s just say, for dinner that
night, I learned to appreciate further
the subtle qualities of “gorp”—an exquisite combination of raisins, nuts,
chocolate chips, sunflower seeds and
mini-pretzels. Mmm, good!
As dusk set in, I sat inside my
makeshift “house” quietly contemplating life and listening to the frogs tune
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
up for their evening symphony. The
tranquility of this moment was disrupted by an unexpected rustle
through the underbrush—and it was
very close. It wasn’t a heavy noise,
but something was there just outside
the tarp.
I peered into the twilight and a
head popped out from nowhere—a bit
too close for my eyes to decipher any
details. I flailed around, determined
to protect my dwelling from the giant
wilderness invader. Tree, who joined
me in this battle, also put up a
good fight. Unfortunately, in
the heat of the attempted
preemptive strike against
unseen invader, half of our
house came flapping down.
It was at this point that the intruder deemed to show himself, in all
this awesome glory. Tree and I caught
a final glimpse of a bullfrog taking
huge leaps across the campsite. Mr.
Bullfrog was obviously late and eager
to get to the symphony before the
lights went out, his seat was taken
and he was barred from the evening’s
performance.
OK, so this time it was a bullfrog. Next time who knows, it might
be a wolverine. I grabbed my spoon
and bowl and started clanging around
the site. I was determined to give fair
warning to any other intruders—lest
they have to face our fury (Tree’s and
mine) again that night.
That night, I drifted in and out
Visit Our Website: www.nmss–nocal.org
of a half-sleep with the sleeping bag
pulled so tight around my face that
only my specs and my nose stuck out.
I heard vague sounds of rustles and
scratches in the middle of the night—
but by now I didn’t care. “Fine, eat
the food, just don’t eat the plastic, or
me! I don’t want to have to deal with
a carcass in the morning . . . yours, or
mine!”
The next thing I knew was the
sweet chirp of a bird, announcing the
new day. Whatever had been outside
making all the scratchy
noises during the night did
end up with the rest of my
food. Undoubtedly it was a
bear (. . . maybe). Whatever
it was, I was the visitor here. So the
little food I offered was the least I
could do for the hospitality. A good
thing, I thought, that I had followed
instructions in placing the food at a
safe distance.
I watched the sun come up and
laughed while my stomach gurgled. I
packed up my gear, had along goodbye
with Tree, sat quietly and waited for
the canoe to arrive to unite me with
the others. In my mind I went over
the details from the previous night. I
knew that the others were doing the
same, and I found myself gleefully
anticipating the sharing of all our
adventures.
And sharing there was! Each of
us had a unique contribution to make
Continued on next page...
MS Connection 7
O U T W A R D
B O U N D
W I T H
M S
Bound for Adventure, Inside and Out
Continued from previous page...
to the collective story which was this
adventure. I felt, as did we all, that
we were now members in great standing of a very exclusive club-a group of
wilderness soul-mates. Our experiences—the solo expedition, the rainsoaked afternoon, the evening campfires, the grueling physical challenges,
the shared song, the collective laughter—had changed each of us in differ-
ent ways. But change was the common factor. We each were leaving this
experience with gifts that, to some
degree, we had lacked upon arrival:
renewed confidence, increased determination, a sense of community . . . a
willingness to trust. Michelle Armerie is a free-lance writer
living in Toronto, Ontario. Re-print
permission granted by author and Abilities magazine. For resources on wilderness recreation, please see the following
page.
R E S O U R C E S
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
All Seasons Riding Academy
Danville, CA
510-823-1476
BOK Ranch North
Redwood, CA
650-366-2265
Bonita Equestrian Therapy for the
Handicapped
Napa, CA
707-257-0430
Cornerstone Equestrian Center
Vallejo, CA
707-643-2223
8 1999 #1
EQUI-ED
Calistoga, CA
707-942-0915
From the Ground Up
Pinole, CA
510-724-6862
Giant Steps Equestrian Center
Petaluma, CA
707-769-8900
Continued on next page...
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
Helpful Equine Academy of Riding
Therapy (HEART)
Castro Valley
510-881-1404
Horses in California
San Francisco, CA
415-221-9438
Horse for Healing Therapeutic Center
Auburn, CA
916-878-0633
National Center for Equine Facilitated
Therapy
Woodside, CA
650-851-2271
Horseplay Therapeutic Center
Vacaville, CA
707-447-8733
Renaissance Therapy Association
Sebestapol, CA
707-823-2372
For more facilities in your area, you may contact the North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) at 1-800-369-RIDE
R E S O U R C E S
Wilderness Recreation
Organizations
Environmental Traveling Companions
San Francisco, CA
415-474-7662
Wilderness Inquiry
Minneapolis, MN
1-800-728-0719
The National Ability Center
Park City, UT
435-649-3991
SPLORE
Salt Lake City, UT
801-484-4128
Disabled Sports USA/Far West
Chapter
Truckee, CA
530-581-4161 or 530-581-3127
www.dsusafw.org
Breckenridge Outdoor Education
Center
Breckenridge, CO
1-800-383-2632
Visit Our Website: www.nmss–nocal.org
The National Sports Center for
The Disabled
Winter Park, CO
970-726-1540
The Adaptive Recreation Center
Big Bear Lake, CA
909-584-0269
MS Connection 9
W A T E R
R E C R E A T I O N
Sailing with MS
b y Tom Crain
onboard with my guests. The sudden
lurches still occur, and
there’s still the
smashed elbow and
torn shin, but hey,
that’s sailing for the
“normal” anyway.
I wear a safety
harness and a small,
unencumbering life
vest (a CO2 cartridge
automatically inflates
upon striking water),
and I have permanent
safety lines leading
from the cockpit to
Tom Crain and friend take time to visit before
the bow as crouching
setting off to sail on his boat, “Witness.”
and crawling are
often necessary. Grab
bars have been installed on the mast,
f course, I would love sailing.
boom and dodger (surrounding windLiving in Santa Cruz affords
shield), special grip tape applied to
me proximity to the ocean.
slippery areas of the deck and cockpit,
Besides my experience and love for
and I wear a condom catheter for the
the sport, in the cockpit of a boat, my
problems of frequent urination. My
crooked gait and awkward balance
wife also insisted I have a jazzy, safety
resulting from my MS go unnoticed
system called a life sling. It can literbecause everyone is clumsy on a boat.
ally sling one out of the water. AtThere’s a certain equality to the untached to the boom and to the jib
steadiness. Moving requires the
winch, the hoist and tackle system
knowledge of what to grab, where to
can haul aboard a soaked and tired
stand, and an understanding of most
sailor with another’s help. Every
movements from the waves and wind.
sailor should have this equipment on
Being able to read the ocean and
board anyhow, but it’s essential gear
prepare for the direction of movement
for me now.
helps “equalize” my ability to move
O
10 1999 #1
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
I always sail with a “crew,” usuWhether we’re dealing with a
ally only one person, but someone to
chronic disease, or the natural, slowhelp with the exiting and returning to
ing process of age, doing what we love
the slip, raise and lower the sails, and
is not always possible. We are forced
be there to help in any emergency. I
to give up many great joys with MS,
can only manage the helm and shout
but we must try to retain anything of
directions to my partner, but having
our past abilities and retrain oursomeone else to enjoy the art and
selves to enjoy the present while premake conversation can intensify the
paring for the uncertain future.
euphoric blasts of wind and water
As Dylan Thomas said so eloanyway and the spiritual healing of
quently, we must “Rage, rage against
just being there cannot be underestithe dying of the light.” We have to
mated. My favorite fellow
fight our way
sailor used to be my wife, but
through what we
Once over the lifelines
a child in the family often
can still do and
and into the cockpit, I
keeps her from joining me.
can be in control again. I revel in its
Now I share ownership of the can make the wind obey
completion. The
boat with someone else who
me and send my craft
satisfaction of
loves sailing and can help with into most directions.
overcoming an
the maintenance of the craft.
obstacle is its
Once over the lifelines
own reward. The
and into the cockpit, I can be in conspiritual aspect of sailing amidst life’s
trol again. I can make the wind obey
giving water and creatures is a bonus.
me and send my craft in most direcAdaptation is the answer. tions. I am captain of a vessel that can
Please note* The Santa Cruz Harbor
beat the wind or run with it. It’s my
has installed a disabled parking slot
choice. With my partner Sean Bullock,
near my slip and a hoist is available
I can pull lines, tweak sails, cut
on a special dock for wheelchair capathrough waves and swells or surf
bilities. There is also disabled parkthem, gaining surges of speed. I caing and an accessibility ramp to the
jole the elements and make them give
main door. Harbormaster, Ted
Warburton, has been a sensitive and
me rides. I rule, and when you’re dishelpful friend to the disabled and my
abled, ruling anything is physically
needs in particular.
healing, a major mind-body connection. At anchor, the peace afforded by
Tom Crain is currently being honored as
sitting to watch nature at play can
the 1999 National MS Father of the Year.
only intensify the remedying aspects
of time spent on the water.
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MS Connection 11
W A T E R
R E C R E A T I O N
Whitewater rafting, kayaking and fun!
T
here are many organizations available
that can offer you the
type of exciting water recreation experience you may be
looking for. Yes, even if you
have a disability. Believe it
or not, it is possible for a
person with multiple sclerosis to go whitewater rafting
and enjoy herself! Depending upon your level of disability and comfort, you can
participate in water recreation.
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting offers a thrill a minute!
Traditional raft trips offer the opportunity for approximately six people to
paddle a raft down a river, under the
direction of a trained guide. Prior to
the trip, the guide gives instruction on
proper paddling techniques and trains
the group on how to form an efficient
“engine” so the team can paddle down
the river in an effective, energy-efficient manner. If you are looking for
the camaraderie of a group experience,
as well as a physical and emotional
challenge, then a river-rafting trip
may be for you. It is important to
consider your level of energy and ability to keep your balance. Some raft
companies have boats that are
adapted so that you may lower your
12 1999 #1
center of balance by sitting on a sling
on the inside of the boat, thereby enabling you to participate to your fullest ability while increasing your level
of safety. Guides who understand
disabilities are also more than likely
to work with you if you want to paddle
some of the time, and “hang on for the
ride” when you feel you need to do so.
Oar Boats
If balance or fatigue is a major concern, you may want to consider a ride
in an oar boat, an exhilarating experience on its own. Here the physical
challenge is much smaller because the
guide does the work of paddling down
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
R E S O U R C E S
*Note: many of the same organizations that offer adaptive wilderness recreation also offer
adaptive whitewater rafting and
kayaking opportunities. Please
turn to page 9 for the listing.
the river. As a passenger, you are free
to enjoy the scenery, the excitement,
and perhaps be challenged emotionally. For some of us, riding down a
river through tumultuous rapids is
enough of a test of our personal limits! Seating can be adapted to fit your
needs and to ensure comfort and
safety. Usually there is someone who
rides along in the raft with you to
help support you during the rougher
portions of the rapids. Many people
enjoy this more intimate experience,
especially if the individual riding
along knows a lot about the history of
the area; it is almost like having the
convenience of your own personal tour
guide!
Kayaking
If the thought of going on a
whitewater rafting trip is still too
overwhelming but you still would like
Visit Our Website: www.nmss–nocal.org
Kayaking
can
promise
a relaxing day
on the
Bay!
to experience the challenge of a boating trip, you may want to consider
sea-kayaking. Paddling a kayak on
the Bay offers a relatively safe water
experience. After instruction from
guides, you can paddle in a single-,
double-, or a triple-kayak and experience the serenity of gliding along the
water, the challenge of paddling, and
perhaps the thrill of interacting with
the local sea lions! A triple-kayak is
convenient if you want to paddle with
the support of friends, family members, or a trained guide. For those of
us who experience fatigue, this can be
a great experience; you can paddle
when you feel like it, then rest and
enjoy the ride when you don’t want to
overexert yourself.
Whichever experience you
choose, boating has its benefits. Not
only can you challenge yourself physically and emotionally, you may rediscover an aspect of your life that you
thought was lost due to your disability. If nothing else, boating offers a
chance to renew your spirit, refresh
your attitude and have some fun! For Resources on adaptive water recreation, please turn to page 9. . .
MS Connection 13
A D A P T I V E
S N O W
S K I I N G
Have Snow, will Ski!
Tahoe Adaptive Ski School (TASS),
a program of Disabled Sports
USA-Far West Chapter, is one of
several organizations that provide
adaptive snow-skiing lessons for
people with disabilities. Packages
usually include one-on-one instruction, use of adaptive ski
equipment and lift ticket.
R E S O U R C E S
The following organizations provide
either individual or group instruction.
Tahoe Adaptive Ski School (TASS) a
program of Diabled Sports USA – Far
West Chapter
Truckee, CA
530-581-4161, email:
[email protected]
Squaw Valley
Lake Tahoe, CA
530-581-7184
www.squaw.com
14 1999 #1
Heavenly Adaptive Ski School
Lake Tahoe, CA
775-586-7000
www.skiheavenly.com
Mt. Rose Ski Area
Tahoe Basin
775-849-0704, ext. 220
www.skirose.com
Kirkwood Ski Area
Kirkwood, CA
209-258-7245
www.skikirkwood.com
Bear Valley Alpine skiing for disabled
people-a program of Diabled Sports
USA-Motherload Chapter
Bear Valley, CA
209-795-5811
www.bearvalley.com
Toll-Free Number: 1-800-FIGHT MS
T I P S
F R O M
T O N I
For tips on Daily
b y To n i Wi g l e , O T R
Living, write to:
ear Readers:
“Tips from Toni”
Instead of answering
National MS
a letter from the mailbag, the
Society
editor asked me to address the importance of exercise both mentally and
150 Grande Ave., Oakland, CA
physically in our lives.
94612
Early in the history of MS,
or e-mail:[email protected]
people were told to avoid all exercise,
as it would worsen their condition. It
daily activities and leaves you with
took many years for research to be
energy to enjoy outside leisure actividone in the field of MS specifically,
ties that have meaning for you.
that shows the benefits of an exercise
So how does a person start an
program far outweigh the temporary
exercise routine? First you need to
fatigue or weakness that people can
seek out information from a profesexperience.
sional. As with any change in your
MS often strikes young and
health care program, schedule a conmiddle aged adults, who shoulder
sultation with your physician prior to
work and homemaking responsibiliimplementing an exercise program.
ties. These responsibilities leave little
He or she may refer you to a physical
time or energy for an exercise regime,
or an occupational therapist for a
therefore, you have just enough engraded exercise program to meet your
ergy to do what you need to, but no
needs. In addition, there is great deal
energy left to do anything else.
of information on gentle stretching
A 1997 article by Alexa K.
exercises, yoga classes, tai chi classes,
Stuifbergen in the Journal of Neuroetc available from the National MS
science Nursing called “Physical AcSociety or your local YMCA.
tivity and Perceived Health Status in
The hardest part is starting the
Persons with Multiple Sclerosis” outprogram. Set your alarm clock to go
lines excellent exercise guidelines.
off earlier. Begin your day with 10
She warns that fatigue and limitaminutes of gentle stretching. Later in
tions in mobility may contribute to a
the day, warm up by stretching again
sedentary lifestyle that increase risk
and then add active resistive exercise,
for developing other chronic disease
i.e. gentle theraband, and weights. As
such as cardiovascular disease, osyou are able to, begin building in aeroteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertenbic exercises, swimming, walking, or
sion. Building an exercise regime
riding a stationary bike, whatever you
that includes adding flexibility,
can do and tolerate. End with gentle
muscle strength and endurance
stretching again. Good luck in startmakes it easier to accomplish your
ing your exercise routine. D
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MS Connection 15