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!