Physical activity guidelines for adults living with MS

As announced in the Fall/Winter issue of MS Canada magazine, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has released Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults with MS. The MS Society recommends these guidelines for those living with mild to moderate MS who want to pursue physical activity.

You can see the summary below:

Be sure to visit mssociety.ca/physicalguidelines for advice on getting started, more detailed guidelines and frequently asked questions.

Consider making regular walks part of your aerobic activity. Walking will help you achieve important fitness benefits – and also help you prepare for the 2013 MS Walk come May!

Make the MS Walk part of your holiday celebrations

The holidays are a time for generosity, when our hearts turn toward family, friends or even strangers in need. Participation in the 2013 MS Walk is one great way for you to make a difference in your community – here are some ways for your family and friends to join in the season’s goodwill.

•  Ask friends and family members to join your MS Walk team. Over the holidays, family dinners and get-togethers with old friends help us reconnect with people we don’t spend enough time with throughout the year. Why not ask them to join you at the 2013 MS Walk? A shared commitment will help you to stay in touch, and you can look forward to seeing one another at your community’s event come spring.
• In lieu of gifts, request donations to help you reach your fundraising goal. We’ve all had the awkward and frustrating experience of searching for that perfect gift for the person who has everything. Save your friends, family and co-workers the trouble and request donations to your personal online fundraising page instead of traditional gifts. A donation is a quick, easy and meaningful show of support.
• Teach children about the importance of giving. As a family, make a donation to your children’s aunt, uncle, sibling or friend who is participating in the MS Walk. Explain the importance that your contributions will make to supporting people affected by MS.
• Spread the word. As people look for ways to give back to their communities during the holiday season, make sure they’re aware of your mission. Add a link to your personal fundraising page to your email signature and advertise your progress toward your fundraising goal on your social networks.

Can you think of any other ideas about how to make the 2013 MS Walk part of your holiday celebrations? Tell us about them on Facebook or Twitter.

Winter walking safety tips

Walks in the crisp winter air and freshly fallen snow can bring a lot of joy, but also new challenges like icy sidewalks and paths, cold temperatures and deep banks of snow. The Canada Safety Council provides some good advice for winter walking. Here are a few highlights to keep in mind:

• Dress for the weather. Make sure you’re outfitted not only with a warm hat and well-insulated, non-slip boots, but also with any specialized safety equipment you might need, including:
• Ice grippers which you can attach to your boots
• A cane to help with balance – with an ice pick attached to the end
• A walker (if needed)
• A hip protector (a belt or pant with shields to protect the hips in case of fall)
• Reflective material attached to clothing to help motorists see you in dim light
• Be extra careful of slippery or icy surfaces:
• Keep walkways clear of ice and snow. Contact your landlord, city or local community services organization for help.
• Carry a small bag of grit, sand or even non-clumping cat litter with you as you walk, and sprinkle it on icy surfaces in your path.
• Ask a passerby for help if you must cross an icy surface.

Walking all winter long is a great way to have fun and stay fit, and will also make sure you’re prepared for the 2013 MS Walk season. For strategies to increase stability if you’re forced to walk across an icy surface and more valuable safety tips, read the full Canada Safety Council posting.

Listening to People Affected by MS survey now available

 

Earlier this month we told you about Listening to People Affected by MS, a new initiative that seeks to better understand the quality of life for those affected by MS. Through a poll, focus groups and a nationwide survey, we want to hear from you – people living with MS, awaiting diagnosis or friends, family and caregivers of people with MS – about the impact of multiple sclerosis on your quality of life.

 

The survey is now available online at mslistening.ca! When you have a few minutes, please take the time to fill out the survey and spread the word to family or friends who are also affected by MS. With your help, we can enrich our understanding and make improved mission-related decisions.

Setting your 2013 MS Walk fundraising goals

You’ve started to recruit your team, chosen a team name, and registered to participate. What’s next? Setting your individual and team goals.

The MS Walk is more fun when you and your teammates are working toward a specific goal or set of goals. Goals give you something to focus on and get excited about, plus a real sense of accomplishment when you meet your targets.

Your individual and/or team goals will vary, but here are some ideas to get you started.

• Aim for a specific fundraising amount. When you use our online fundraising system, you will be prompted to set an initial fundraising goal. For extra motivation, check out the fundraising rewards and prizes you can be eligible for at each fundraising level.
• Aim for a specific number of recruits. If you currently have three team members, why not aim for ten by event day? This will allow you to get to your fundraising goal sooner or take you to the next level of funds raised. Or if you’re an individual walker, why not challenge yourself to recruit two friends to give you some friendly fundraising competition?
• Aim for a specific number of donors. Rather than focusing on a specific dollar amount, you might instead try to reach out to as many of your friends, family members and colleagues as possible. Before you know it you’ll have met your fundraising goal.
• Complete a fundraising event. Successfully pull off a fun and creative fundraising event like a garage sale, pancake breakfast, bake sale or rubber duck race to give your fundraising goal that extra boost.

For a little extra challenge add new goals as you complete the ones you originally set. Once you have ten team members, why not try to make it fifteen? If you’ve already raised $125 to earn a free MS Walk t-shirt by January, why not go for $500 and add some great gift cards by May? The sky’s the limit if you work together with teammates, family, friends and colleagues!

Once you’ve set a goal, make a plan for how you will accomplish it. If it helps, assign certain team members certain responsibilities, or set monthly targets. Check in frequently over the coming months to make sure you’re on track to meet your goal, and to come up with new ideas and strategies. Don’t let event day sneak up on you and catch you unprepared!

What are your individual or team goals for the 2013 MS Walk, and how do you plan to accomplish them? Let us know in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter.

Research and treatment timeline: 30+ years of MS milestones

The recently released fall issue of MS Canada contains a timeline illustrating an amazing thirty years of MS research developments.

“While there is still a long way to go in understanding multiple sclerosis and finding a cure, we are pleased to look back on the important advancements that have been made to broaden our understanding of this complex disease and improve quality of life.”

You can find a detailed version of the timeline at mssociety.ca/researchtimeline.

Consider using the information to expand your MS knowledge and to educate friends, family and potential donors about the importance of your fundraising efforts in the upcoming 2013 MS Walk.

Thanking our top fundraisers at the Celebration of Champions

On the evening of November 9, we were joined by many of our top fundraisers from the 2012 MS Walk and 2012 MS Bike Tour at our annual Celebration of Champions dinner, held at Toronto’s Delta Chelsea hotel.

At the dinner we honoured many dedicated teams and individuals who worked tirelessly over the past year to raise money in support of those living with MS.

Thank you very much for your spectacular fundraising efforts. You can view photos from the event on our Flickr page.

On your marks, get set…GO!

The day you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived – online registration for the 2013 MS Walk is now open at mswalks.ca! Walks across Ontario will take place either May 5 or May 26 this year, so check the website for details on the event in your community and mark your calendars.

If you’ve already pre-registered you will receive a confirmation email soon, but it’s time for the rest of you to lace up for someone you love and make a difference in the lives of people affected by MS. Don’t let May sneak up on you - the earlier you start, the more momentum you’ll have by the time the big day arrives.

You can find lots of team-building and fundraising tips by exploring this blog. And don’t forget to spread the word to your family and friends by sharing our content on Facebook and Twitter, and using our social media tools.

Five spots for indoor walking

Though we all love to be in the fresh air as much as we can, sometimes Canada’s sub-zero temperatures, bitterly cold winds or knee-deep snowfalls keep us inside. With just a little creative thinking, however, it’s absolutely possible to enjoy a walk without risking frostbite.

Here are 5 ways to walk and stay warm. Add your own ideas in the comments!

1. The Gym – An indoor track at the gym is perhaps the most obvious choice. If you don’t have a membership, see if you can get a discounted rate through your school or workplace.
2. School or Community Centre – A cheaper alternative may be an indoor track which is open to the public at your local school or community centre.
3. The Mall – Want to do a little window shopping and stay fit at the same time? Malls are a comfortable, climate-controlled place to walk – with easy access to the washroom. Many shopping centres even open early for mall-walkers so they can get in a few laps before the shoppers arrive.
4. Tunnels and Skywalks – In urban areas, underground tunnels or elevated skywalks often connect popular buildings and destinations to help pedestrians get around. Explore these walking opportunities available in your area!
5. The Office – If all else fails, squeeze in some extra steps at work. Take the scenic route on your way back from your coffee break, or organize a lunchtime walk around the building with a group of colleagues – every little bit counts. Want a greater challenge? Skip the elevator and choose the stairs instead.

As we face a long, cold winter, it’s important to keep motivated and moving. On May 5 or May 26, walks will take place in 56 communities across Ontario – and we want you to be ready to join us! Online registration opens in just two days at mswalks.ca! 

 

Website for young people with a connection to MS

 

 

Have you checked out http://someonelikeme.ca/ or http://commemoi.ca/ recently? These websites feature blogs, forum posts and stories from young people (15-35) who live with or have a personal connection to multiple sclerosis.

Check out Loribelle’s recent post on the word “hope,” or Mike’s story of moving forward toward his goals despite obstacles. Questions and comments are always welcome, so join the community!

Get ready....registration opens soon!

Wow, it’s November already! Where did October go? Here at the MS Society we spent the month preparing for the 2013 MS Walk season, and are excited to announce that online registration will open November 15 at mswalks.ca.

By mid-November our website will be updated with details about the 2013 MS Walk in your community. If you haven’t already begun, it’s time to start thinking about recruiting your team, choosing your team name and organizing creative fundraisers. For more team tips, visit teamms.ca.

We’re excited about lacing up for someone we love, and we hope you are too! Spread the word to family and friends through our Facebook and Twitter pages, and stay tuned for more updates and tips.

We want to hear from you.

 

 

Here’s a new initiative that might be of interest to many of our readers.

From the newest edition of the MS Ontario newsletter:

Listening to People Affected by MS is a new initiative that seeks to better understand the quality of life for those affected by MS. Through a poll, focus groups and a nationwide survey, we want to hear from you – people living with MS, awaiting diagnosis or friends, family and caregivers of people with MS – about the impact of multiple sclerosis on your quality of life.

 

What are your priorities and needs in order to live well with MS? What are the barriers that prevent you from living a full life? What supports are most helpful, and what are your biggest worries? With your help, we can enrich our understanding and make improved mission-related decisions.

Visit mslistening.ca for more information and an FAQ. We look forward to hearing from you!