Thriving With MS - February eNews

FEBRUARY 2018

SKI for MS and Transform Lives

This past Saturday, Loon Mountain kicked off the first SKI for MS event of the 2018 series, raising over $21,000 and providing adaptive ski participants with an opportunity to "get their mojo back."

"On February 3, I got my skiing mojo back and had an awesome time doing so. What is mojo? In my case, it was a quest to get back my passion for downhill skiing with friends. Can Do MS allows me to participate in a great activity like downhill skiing again while 'embracing the suck' of having MS."

- J.R. Adaptive Ski Participant and SKI for MS Loon fundraiser.

Do Your Snow Dance! Five More Events Headed Your Way!

SKI for MS is headed to Vail, CO and Crystal Mountain, WA on Feb. 24, followed by Squaw Valley, CA on March 3, Pico Mountain, VT on March 11, and Schweitzer Mountain, ID on March 17.

Now is the time to register and start fundraising! 100% of proceeds directly benefit families with MS. Learn more and join us for a family-friendly day on the mountain.

SKI for MS is presented by:

Question:

Are there any solutions to help with painful cramps around my knees that occur primarily at night? Is there something my body may be lacking that could help prevent these cramps?

Click here to read the answer from physical therapist Mandy Rohrig, PT, DPT and Mona Bostick, RDN, CSO, LDN.

Have a question? Ask us!

MS Education On Demand

Check out our newest online program for people with MS and their support partners! Can Do On Demand features wellness resources, videos featuring MS expert perspectives on popular topics, and interactive learning modules. For example, learn more about cognition from neurologist David Jones.

$40K for 40 Years Raises $14,000!

Carl Rudiger was just 18 years old when he was diagnosed with MS. As an athlete, he struggled with the thought of his limitations but was committed to keeping a positive attitude. Carl found Can Do MS founder Jimmie Heuga's story inspiring and joined the SKI for MS events 20 years ago at Squaw Valley. After years of being involved with the organization, Carl and his sister attended the life-changing CAN DO Program in 2010.

This year marks Carl's 40th anniversary of his MS diagnosis. He decided to celebrate by paying it forward and set a goal to raise $40,000 for Can Do MS! He kicked off his 40K for 40 Years campaign with an evening at Regale Winery in Los Gatos, raising $14,000!

A very special thank you to champions like Carl and his friends and family. Your support will enable more families with MS to attend life-changing programs.

Discovering Your Sexual Self

Many of us who grow up with disabilities learn from an early age that people with disabilities are not "sexy." Fashion models and TV and film stars rarely, if ever, have disabilities. We see few people with disabilities in everyday life, which reinforces the idea that having a disability is not a "normal" experience. Read more .

Intimacy and MS

Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 8 - 9:15 p.m. EST

In partnership with the National MS Society.

For this special Valentine's Day program, Dr. Linda Mona, a renowned sex therapist and clinical psychologist, and Kathleen Healey, a neurological nurse practitioner, will lead an interdisciplinary discussion on ways to enhance the intimacy in your relationships and manage common symptoms that may affect your sexual health.

Please join us at no charge.

The Ups and Downs of Fall Prevention

Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 8 - 9:15 p.m. EST

In partnership with the National MS Society.

Learn about all the things you can do to help prevent falls and stay active and safe. Please join neurologist and physical therapist Michelle H. Cameron, MD, PT, MCR, and occupational therapist Stephanie Nolan, OTR/L, as they review fall prevention strategies for people living with MS.

Please join us at no charge.

The Can Do MS Webinar Series is made possible by:

Biogen | Sanofi Genzyme | Genentech

Volunteers Needed for SKI for MS!

We need your help! We are looking for volunteers for the following SKI for MS events:

Vail, CO - Feb. 24
Crystal Mountain, WA - Feb. 24
Squaw Valley, CA - March 3
Pico Mountain, VT - March 11
Schweitzer Mountain, ID - March 17

As SKI for MS grows each year, we need more volunteers to assist us in ensuring that the events are amazing for all participants. Shift times can from a couple of hours to a full day. Your contribution as a volunteer helps families with MS thrive. Thank you in advance for your support.

To volunteer or for more information, contact Sandra Iuppa at

[email protected]

Can Do MS Team Growing!

In 2017, over 34,000 participants, including those living with MS and their support partners, were impacted through Can Do MS programs. This year, we doubled our one-day programs, reaching more people in more places across the country. To help us continue to expand our reach, we are excited to welcome (left to right) Rachael Protas to our marketing team, Krista Barnes to our programs team, and Kirsten Hjelmstad to our development team!