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 CLASS The exercise class meets once a week on Friday 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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Last updated:
March 5, 2012
