Multiple Sclerosis Community Organizations and Support Groups for People with Disabilities, their Families and Caregivers: New Horizons Un-Limited

Multiple Sclerosis Resources, Support Groups and Organizations

New Horizons Un-limited is not endorsing and assumes no responsibility in guaranteeing the products, services, programs or conditions as described. If you are interested in a resource listed below, call or contact the resource to verify the current situation. Evaluate the information, analyze your unique circumstances, use your best judgment and make your own decisions when using the information. Before making any change, consult your health care professional.

International
National
Regional Listings: Mid Atlantic / New England
State Listings: CO / VA / WI (Official USPS State Abbreviations)
Country Listings: Canada

International

MS World, as stated on their web-site, the mission of MS World is to “end the isolation that people feel when diagnosed with a chronic illness, specifically multiple sclerosis.” Run by volunteers diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, this easily accessible, colorful web-site(available in 9 languages) seeks to do just that. It offers members professional opinion and emotional support through chat, message boards, resources (both local and national) as well as an on-line magazine. A unique service provided by this website is CarePages, a unique service that creates free personal web-sites that allow families and patients to connect when away from loved ones. The site also offers a magazine and resources for children in the “Kid’s Corner”. Contact MS World by e-mail at: webmaster@msworld.org.

National

Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (ACP) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating advances toward a cure for MS. Their website features the latest breakthroughs in research and other news relevant to people living with MS.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America offers direct assistance to persons living with MS. To learn how the association can assist you, call (800) 532-7667 or e-mail webmaster@msassociation.org.

Multiple Sclerosis Foundation provides support and educational programs to those affected by MS. They offer a comprehensive website packed full of helpful information and resources. The foundation also offers their National Brighter Tomorrow Grant Program. Via this program, individuals with MS are granted up to $1000 to purchase goods or services that will improve their quality of life by enhancing safety, self-sufficiency, comfort, or well-being. For more information on programs and events or to obtain a grant application, call 1-888-MSFOCUS (673-6287), or you can contact them by e-mail at admin@msfocus.org.

Multiple Sclerosis International Federation offers a comprehensive, international and up to date on-line information resource developed by MS experts worldwide. The site features general MS information, including symptoms and treatments, research information, personal profiles of people living with MS and more.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its national network of chapters promote research, educate, advocate on critical issues, and organize a wide range of programs, including support for the newly diagnosed and those living with MS over time. They offer a very informative website which offers information on MS in general and on treatment options. Their site also offers a library of helpful publications including brochures, books, videos, and an online resource list. If you or your loved one has recently been diagnosed with MS, this is the place to go for information. Visit their website or call (800) 344-4867 to learn how they can help you.

National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) Established in 1948, the mission of NSCIA is “to improve the quality of life of all people living with spinal cord injuries and disorders” including MS. Membership is free and includes newsletters and information about upcoming webinars on a wide variety of topics.

Regional Listings

Mid Atlantic Region

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Carolinas Chapter is committed to a philosophy of wellness, offering the encouragement, materials and skills necessary to achieve and maintain a meaningful lifestyle for people living with multiple sclerosis and their families. Their goal is to help people learn to manage and understand MS, and achieve maximum independence. The Society offers a wide range of programs to help people cope with the everyday demands of living with a chronic illness. The Society serves people with MS, their families and health care professionals through education, advocacy, information, peer support, therapeutic recreation and many other programs in Asheville, North Carolina, and Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina. Their comprehensive, informative, easily accessible detailed website provides information that is positive and current. The user will be informed about learning opportunities, community connections, support groups, wellness plans, and fundraising events, specifically targeting South Carolina. For more information, contact the Mid Atlantic Chapter at 9801-I Southern Pines Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28273, phone: 704-525-2955, toll free: 800-344-4867, fax: 704-527-0406 and ncp@nmss.org

New England Region

Kelly Packowski MS Foundation provides direct support to individuals and their families living with MS in the greater New England area. The Foundation’s services include home modification, assistive technology, home health care and many others. For a grant application, call 1-866-576-7363 or download one from their website.

State Listings

Colorado

Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Southern Colorado offers a variety of programs and services to address the needs of people living with MS and their families. MSA offers support groups that meet weekly, twice a month or monthly, day and evening groups on a variety of topics in different locations through El Paso and Teller Counties. They also have a lending library, offer MS information classes, free physical therapy exercise groups and assistance in care management, locating resource, funding, accessible and affordable housing. For more information, visit their website or contact them at Multiple Sclerosis Alliance of Southern Colorado,1322 N. Academy Blvd., Suite #119, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, or Phone: (719) 633-4603 or Fax: (719) 694-0043.

Virginia

National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Hampton Roads Chapter while supporting the mission of the NMSS, this chapter also supports people in Hampton Roads Virginia living with MS. The chapter’s services include financial assistance, transportation, equipment loans and college scholarships.

Wisconsin

Multiple Sclerosis Society - Wisconsin Chapter offers much of what is mentioned in the National listing. In addition, however, they offer funding for such things as counseling, respite care, durable medical equipment, home and vehicle modifications, air conditioners, exercise programs, and emergency assistance situations. Funding of up to $2500 may be available. Staff will work with individuals to explore all available funding resources in addition to the chapter’s financial assistance program. They also offer a Holiday Giving Program for families impacted by MS that have children (under the age of 18). For more information on these and other programs, call (800) 242-3358.

Country Listings

Canada

The Multiple Sclerosis Canada Resource Network , is an independent, not-for-profit organization. The members of the Network are health care professionals in the Greater Toronto Area, and the organizations in which they practice are considered Network Partners. The MS Resource Guide provides information on the existing and developing services in the Greater Toronto area that are designed to assist people with multiple sclerosis to maintain optimal functional abilities and quality of life.