Client
Services
Client
Services provides information, support, referral, education, and
financial assistance to persons with multiple sclerosis and their
families. The CS Department also provides information, referral
and education services to health care professionals and the general
public residing within the Ottawa Region.
Ontarians With Disabilities Committee
Direct Services
Other
Services
Education
Financial
Programs
Ontarians
With Disabilities Committee
More
than one million people with disabilities in Ontario are in need
of legislation to protect their rights and to eliminate the barriers
that they face in every day living. Under the leadership of lawyer
activist David Leposky, who is blind, The Ontarians With Disbilities
Committee, has been fighting tirelessly for six years to get
the Government of Ontario to live up to a promise made by Mike
Harris during the election campaign of 1995, to bring in an Ontario
Disabilities Act (ODA) during his first term of office.
The
ODA Committee has had many successes; newspaper editorials, several
municipal Governments, and both opposition Parties have supported
their call for an effective ODA. To date, however, their has been
no positive action taken by the Premier on this issue.
If
you wish to learn more about the ODA Committee visit their website
at www.odacommittee.net.
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Direct Services
CHAPTER
INFORMATION The Chapter provides information, emotional support,
referral and financial assistance to persons with multiple sclerosis
and their families. The MS Society maintains a resource library
with literature pertaining to multiple sclerosis. Such topics
include: diagnosis, symptoms, management, treatments and research.
Other topics cover: Coping with multiple sclerosis, current Government
programs, and Community health, social and recreational programs.
Informal referrals are also made to medical and health professionals.
EMOTIONAL
SUPPORT Listening with empathy, positive feedback and encouragement
is offered over the phone as well as through home and office visits.
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE The Chapter provides assistance to persons with
MS in the following areas: Equipment and Special assistance. (Refer
to "Financial Programs" for more details).
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Local Programs
SELF
HELP GROUPS The
Society has several self-help groups which offer information and
support: The Diner's Club, Kanata Self-help Group, Orleans Self-help
Group, Spousal/Significant Other Support Group, E-mail Support
Group,and the Monthly Sharing Group. Please contact the Client
Services (CS) Manager for more information.
EXERCISE
AND YOGA CLASSES The exercise class meets once a week on Friday
mornings. There are three yoga sessions per year, lasting for
ten weeks, usually held on Tuesday mornings.
STUDY
GROUP The Chapter sponsors "Coping With MS" groups for newly-diagnosed
persons and significant others. They are usually facilitated by
a person with MS and are based on coping strategies and experiences
amongst participants. Each session consists of five or six meetings,
and are usually offered twice a year; Spring and Fall.
FRIENDLY
VISITING Volunteers visit persons with MS in the community
who are isolated in their homes or in long-term care facilities.
TELEPHONE
PROGRAM Volunteers place calls twice a year to program participants,
providing information and keeping in touch.
LENDING
OF EQUIPMENT A variety of used and donated equipment is stored
in the Chapter’s Equipment Loan Cupboard, which is available
for use by persons with MS. In order to access this service, one
must be assessed by a health care professional and be a member
of the MS Society.
SUMMER
ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Summer students provide individual assistance
to program participants as well as organize group outings/activities.
This program commences late May and runs until the end of August.
CHRISTMAS
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Individuals assist program participants
with various Christmas preparations (i.e. addressing Christmas
cards, baking, shopping, decorating, etc.). This program commences
mid November and runs until the end of December.
BIRTHDAY
RECOGNITION Isn't it nice to know that someone is thinking
of you on your birthday? The MS Society thinks so and that's why
this program came into existence. Thanks to the dedication of
one volunteer, birthday cards are sent to members residing in
long-term care facilities, nursing homes and senior residences.
If you know of someone who has recently moved into a long-term
care facility, please contact the MS Society of Canada, Ottawa
Chapter.
SWIMMING
Improvements can be made to decreased strength resulting from
lack of muscle use. Most individuals benefit from progressive
resistive exercises, in which water is an appropriate alternative
to repetitive use of weights and repetitive exercises. Water therapy
and exercises promote strength, stamina and flexibility, and ultimately
prevent or minimize symptomatic complaints such as muscular fatigue,
weakness, contracture and spasticity. Swimming programs are now
in operation at the following facilities, please call for information:
- Gloucester
Wave Pool 613-748-4222
- Orleans
Recreation Complex 613-748-4210
- Nepean
Sportsplex 613-727-6683
- The
Ray Friel Leisure Centre 613-830-2747
- Kanata
Wave Pool 613-591-9283
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Education
The
Chapter's educational objectives are to provide information about
multiple sclerosis and coping with the disease to persons with
MS and their families, health professionals, educational institutions
and to other concerned persons/groups. Information is dispersed
in a variety of ways: via telephone, mail, group seminars, public
speaking and participation in community/health information fairs.
Special events include: guest speakers at educational sessions
throughout the year.
EDUCATIONAL
EVENTS
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Financial Programs
The
MS Society of Canada, Ottawa Chapter offers financial assistance
in two areas:
EQUIPMENT:
Funding may be available to individuals who meet eligibility
criteria for equipment purchases, repairs and maintenance. In
order to access this service, one must be assessed by a health
care professional and be a member of the MS Society.
SPECIAL
ASSISTANCE The goal of this program is to improve the quality
of life for persons with MS and their families. As this program
has limited funding, it cannot duplicate existing community programs,
but can augment programs where an individual requires additional
assistance. In order to access this service, one must be assessed
by a health care professional and be a member of the MS Society.
HOW
TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE
- Please
check alternate funding sources. Since the MS Society's funds
are limited, it should be your last approach for funding.
Possible alternate funding sources are listed on application
forms
- If
alternate funding is not available, please complete the appropriate
application form. Information required to access Special Assistance
and Equipment funding programs include:
- Health
Care Professional’s assessment or letter of endorsement
- Two
cost estimates
- Signatures
of Health Care Professional and individual with MS.
Please feel free to contact Laurie
Cucheran-Morris, Director of Client Services, 613-728-1583 ext
225 if you have any questions.
- Once
the appropriate documentation is received, the request will
be presented to the Client Services Committee for approval.
- The
Committee meets once a month, therefore, a slight delay may
occur in receiving immediate approval. For requests over $1,500,
the approval of the Chapter Board of Directors is required.
- The
Client Services Committee will not consider financial requests
after purchase.
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of Page
1826 Woodward Drive, Ottawa, ON K2C 0P7
Email: info.ottawa@mssociety.ca
Last updated:
27/5/10 5:09 PM
