Ontario Division is committed to providing services and
programs that enable all those affected by multiple sclerosis
to enhance their quality of life. This important work
is achieved through the dedication and hard work of volunteers
and staff.
To
help us serve you, please select:
MS
Answers is
an online forum for people with MS,
caregivers
and others
to discuss important issues and get accurate
answers to specific MS-related questions
from experts.
The work of the MS Society that relates to the latter half of its
mission – “enabling people affected by MS to
enhance their quality of life” – is conducted
by volunteers and staff in Client Services.
What
does Client Services refer to?
The
Primary Clients of the MS Society of Canada are people
who are:
Living
with a diagnosis of MS
Waiting for a diagnosis with respect to MS
Close to a person with MS, such as family and friends
Caregivers to a person with MS, who may also include family
and friends
In
addition to serving its primary clients, MS Society volunteers
and staff also provide information and support to health professionals,
employers, institutions and students.
Based
upon needs and available resources, the MS Society of Canada's
units, chapters, divisions and national office provide Client
Services that encompass:
Our
goal in Client Services is: “To provide programs
and services to those affected by multiple sclerosis to achieve
the highest possible quality of life while living with the daily
challenges that MS presents.”
In
order to deliver and enhance client services, volunteers and
staff may offer a variety of programs related to service activities.
These programs may vary based upon local resources and needs.
To learn more about services and programs in your local area,
please visit In
Your Community.
Client
and Chapter Services, Ontario Division Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
175 Bloor Street East
Suite 700, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3R8
Phone: 416-922-6065
Fax: 416-922-7538
Toll Free: 1-800-268-7582
Sarah Large, Coordinator, Equipment Program (North Bay, Sudbury, ON Division, Brant, Hastings, Mississauga, Scarborough, Sault Ste Marie, Thunder Bay, Waterloo, York North, York South)
Sheryl James, Coordinator Special Assistance Program
The
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is proud to work with a
network of specialized MS clinics across the province. Clinic
services vary, but most offer a wide range of services, delivered
by a multi-disciplinary health care team. These services may
include:
Expert
diagnostic and treatment services for people with MS
Clinical
research, especially in the area of MS treatment options
Educational
and support programs for people with MS and their families
and caregivers
To
learn more about the clinic in your area and the services it
provides, please feel free to contact the clinic directly.
Self-help/support groups operated by the MS Society of Canada provide an opportunity for people affected by MS to connect with others affected by MS, share information and provide mutual support.
Members of self-help/support groups share a belief that positive personal change happens through individual efforts with the support of others. In a self-help/support group, individuals share not only their problems, but also their successes.
Sharing and talking with others who have had either the same or similar experiences, helps people to discover they are not alone and that there are others who understand what they are going through. Self-help/support programs do not solve problems, but they do offer realistic support, encouragement and hope.
The benefits of self-help/support groups to their members include:
Learning new information and strategies for confronting problems.
Finding reassurance and support from others with similar life experiences.
Developing personal insights and achieving personal growth.
The opportunity to be helpful to others.
Feeling less isolated.
Learning to express feelings better while being more sensitive to others.
Feeling empowered and more self-confident in coping with challenges.
Group energy supports and encourages change through voluntary participation.
Those close to the self-help/support group member often benefit knowing others are also available to listen to and support their loved one.
Self-help groups are one part of a person’s support system and complements other support and services.
List of self-help/support groups in non-chaptered areas:
Dryden
Elliot Lake
Fort Frances
Hearst
Lindsay
Muskoka
New Liskeard
North Bay
Orangeville
Parry Sound
Pembroke
Renfrew
To obtain further information on any of these groups (example address, meeting date and time etc), please contact the Coordinator of Resources and Training 1-800-268-7582 ext 3125
