National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter MS Vacation Week “A week away, a world of difference!”

Come to our five day getaway for people moderately to severely affected by MS, combining recreational, educational, and social opportunities at Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks.

Camp Hemlocks is specifically designed for accessibility, providing a unique, independent, and supportive environment, located on 166 acres of unspoiled forest and a 22 acre lake for boating and fishing. Other activities include swimming in an accessible indoor pool, talent show, arts & crafts, and yoga. An MS Certified Nurse is on site for the week. Space is limited. Apply early!

Date: Sunday, June 12 – Friday, June 17, 2011
Where: Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks Recreation Center, Hebron, CT
Cost: $395 per person (includes lodging, meals, and activities)
To Apply: Contact Martha Maynard at 1-800-344-4867, option 2 or martha.maynard@nmss.org
Deadline: Completed Application by May 16, 2011
Transportation: You must provide your own transportation to and from Camp Hemlocks.
Personal Care: If more than minimal assistance is required, you must be accompanied by a PCA (personal care assistant) or caregiver. (Their lodging and meal cost is provided by the NMSS).
Financial Assistance: Available to those who demonstrate need (must be requested when applying)

Reminder: National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter: Upcoming Teleconference

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REMINDER: The National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter, presents upcoming teleconference!

CCSVI in MS: An Update with Costantine Balashov, MD
The current facts about this controversial research will be discussed.

Date: Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Register before April 26, 2011

Visit Teleconference Series: National MS Society to register for this program online or call 1-800-344-4867. Due to the high number of participants we may not be able to have a live Q&A. If you would like to ask a question, please submit it at the time of registration.

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National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater New England Chapter
101A First Avenue, Suite 6 | Waltham, Mass. 02451-1115
tel: 1 800-344-4867 | fax: 1 781-890-2089 | MSnewengland.org

SOCIAL SECURITY News Release Social Security Holds Compassionate Allowances Hearing on Autoimmune Diseases

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today hosted the agency’s seventh public hearing on Compassionate Allowances. Commissioner Astrue joined Robert H. Carter, Deputy Director, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, and other Social Security officials in hearing testimony from some of the nation’s leading experts on autoimmune diseases about the possible methods of identifying and implementing Compassionate Allowances for adults and children with autoimmune diseases.

“Over 20 million Americans suffer from autoimmune conditions, which particularly affect women and children,” Commissioner Astrue said. “The social and financial burdens imposed by these chronic, debilitating diseases can be devastating for individuals and their families. With this hearing, we are searching for objective medical evidence and decision rules that we can use to expedite cases for those with the most severe conditions and quickly provide them with some measure of financial security.”

Social Security implemented Compassionate Allowances in October 2008 to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants with medical conditions so severe that their conditions by definition meet Social Security's standards. Currently, 88 specific diseases and conditions qualify as a Compassionate Allowance. To learn more and to view a web cast of this hearing, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

“Last year, the Compassionate Allowances initiative, along with our Quick Disability Determination process, allowed us to quickly approve over 100,000 disability applications for the most severely disabled Americans,” said Commissioner Astrue. “This year we expect to increase the number of fast-tracked cases to about 150,000. We also plan to expand our list of Compassionate Allowance conditions later this year, bringing it to about 100 conditions.”

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SSA Press Office 440 Altmeyer Building 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235
410-965-8904 FAX 410-966-9973

Federal Focus - April 2011 Take Action! Protect Priorities for People with MS in the Federal Budget

Congress continues to work diligently to complete action on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget. Twice this year, the 112th Congress has passed short-term continuing resolutions that keep the federal governments and its programs operating. The first short-term extension was signed by the President on March 2 and kept the federal government operating through March 18 and the second short-term extension enacted in mid-March maintains operations through this Friday, April 8. As Congress continues to debate the budget, ask your Members of Congress to maintain vital programs for people living with MS.

In the continued difficult budget climate, much of the debate has centered around high level funding figures, whether large cuts should be made, and where they should occur. With both sides trying to complete work rather than enact yet another short-term solution or force a government shutdown, it appears from recent conversations that the negotiating parties are trying to determine the appropriate amount of funding cuts. The House of Representatives earlier passed a measure (H.R. 1) that would have cut $61 billion from current spending levels.

As federal spending for FY 2011 is finalized, it is vital that the MS community urge support of federal departments and programs that seek to improve the lives of people living with MS. Click here to email your members of Congress today and urge them to:

provide at least $6 million for MS research funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP);
maintain and not cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and
provide at least $7 million for the Lifespan Respite Care Program.

MS Activists Visit Capitol Hill During PPC

From March 7 – 9, 2011, approximately 350 MS activists from all over the country convened in Washington, DC for the National MS Society’s 20th annual Public Policy Conference (PPC). MS activists, all donning “MS orange” and including people living with MS, family members, caregivers and other Society staff and volunteers visited over 350 offices on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about MS and advocate for improved access to neurological care (S. 597), MS research funding in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), and the Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act (H.R. 883/S. 495).

Direct results from Hill Day and MS activists’ work have already been seen. Within a week, at least six members of Congress have joined the Congressional MS Caucus and ten Representatives have joined as co-sponsors of the Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act (H.R. 883). Progress from the PPC will continue to be seen, as the Society’s advocacy efforts are truly year-round.

During the PPC, the Society awarded 2010 Representative of the Year awards to Representative William “Mac” Thornberry (TX-13) and Representative James R. Langevin (RI-2), as well as the 2010 Senator of the Year award to Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA), and a Congressional Staffer of the Year award to James “J.P.” Paluskiewicz, Legislative Director for Representative Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26). Visit the MS Activist Blog to view pictures from the conference.

To keep future MS activism messages out of your junk folder, add the following address to your contacts or safe sender list: MSActionNetwork@nmss.org