“We Will Stand”

words and music by Preston Harrison

copyright 1998

Learn how MS progresses by listening to this teleconference. Dr. Jones discusses what to expect when the disease advances and how doctors, patients and scientists are fighting back. His presentation includes disease-modifying therapies, symptom management and research updates.

While we do not have Allen Bowling’s presentations at the conference, here’s a link to an interview that he did with Britain’s MS Trust that includes much the same content.

Being diagnosed with MS can be a scary and uncertain time, but equipping yourself with knowledge and the proper tools will help you cope with the changes you are experiencing in your life. Dina Jacobs, a neurologist, will discuss the science of MS, its disease course, its symptoms and the various treatments that are available. Peggy Walsh, a psychotherapist, will provide an overview of the emotional and psychological aspects of being diagnosed and living with a chronic illness, giving you the information you need to overcome your fears and start moving forward.

***Note: this file is low quality and may have some distracting background noise. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The audience got their questions about living with and treating MS answered by the region’s leading MS physicians. This was an open-ended discussion guided by the audience’s interests.

Timothy Coetzee presents a detailed and focused discussion of the Fast Forward initiative, its recent progress and its goals. He also answers questions about the initiative from the audience.

Decisions such as which doctor to see, which medication to take, which employment path to pursue and whether to have children are all important questions that can weigh heavily on someone’s mind once they have been diagnosed with MS. The good news is that people living with MS have more options today than ever before — the challenge lies in figuring out how to make the choices that feel right for you and the other important people in your life.

Depression is one of the most disabling symptoms of MS, occurring more frequently among people living with the disease than in the general population or in people with other chronic conditions. About 50% of people living with MS experience depression at some point after diagnosis. But despite its reported prevalence, depression is not diagnosed in more than half of people living with MS, and when it is diagnosed, it is frequently not treated adequately. The speakers will discuss the different forms of depression, identify warning signs for caregivers and people living with MS and describe approaches that can successfully treat this disabling condition.

***A small portion of the beginning was cut off, we apologize for the inconvenience.

Results from Society-funded health policy research have increased our understanding of MS, how it affects people and families and its impact over time. This information has proven useful for planning and advocacy efforts and has stimulated additional research. Nicholas LaRocca will present a sampling of results from several of these studies, including the Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Multiple Sclerosis Study, a long-term study of more than 5,000 Americans with MS.

It’s up to you to be your own best advocate regarding your medical care. Suzanne Smeltzer and Dottie Pfohl will show you how to get involved by voicing your opinion, asking questions and taking an active role at the doctor’s office. They will share practical tips for preparing for medical appointments and explain how to take an active role during the visit.

Linda Noble Topf and Diane Chew will lead you in exercises that will help you identify your defining moments such as an MS diagnosis and discover your core strengths. They will then take you through how these defining moments and strengths can influence your future approach to dealing with challenges and successes.

Thomas Holtackers has been living with MS for 40 years. He has been a volunteer at the National MS Society for the last 30 years and recently retired from his physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic.