This is it: Historical Vote on Important Rights Treaty

This is it! Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Reid brought the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to the Senate floor. The first vote—a motion to proceed with the debate—occurred yesterday and passed with a bipartisan vote! Today, the Senators will be on the Senate floor to continue the debate. This is now the FINAL PUSH. It’s because of your efforts that we are on the verge of a ratification vote! Over the past year, many of you responded to action alerts urging you to contact your Senators to support the CRPD. Together you sent over 7,500 messages urging ratification of this treaty that will advance disability rights around the world. This is remarkable and we thank you for your help! We need everyone to take action, even if you’ve already contacted your Senators. Now that the treaty has been brought to the Senate floor, your Senators need to hear once again that you support the treaty with no additional amendments and that this treaty is important to you. Please click here to email your Senators and ask them to commit to vote yes on the CRPD with no new amendments! We need your help to urge your Senators to join the group of bipartisan champions and support the disability community. Thank you, once again, for your help!

MSConnection Winter 2012

Table of Contents — Winter 2012 Issue MSConnection cover thumbnail Top Stories From the President Making Connections: Annual Meeting of Members Conference & EXPO with Stanley F. Waterman Research Series News Once-daily MS Pill Hit the Market in October National MS Society’s Volunteer Hall of Fame Living with MS With a Little Support Seeking Self-Help Group Leaders Commit to Eat Well Family Connections Programs 2013 Employment Teleconference Series MS Scholarships Great Activities Planned For MS Awareness Week! Recent Addition to the Dora Lipcon Lending Library Day of Service Teleconference: The Spectrum of MS Help is a Call Away Wellness Scholarship Program Keep S'myelin In Touch Phone Groups Self-Help Groups MS Learn Online Home LINKS Money Matters Handling a High-Deductible Plan Ask the Employment Specialist: Telephone Q&A Session Research Ginkgo Fails to Improve Cognitive Function in People with MS Research Advocate Understanding Clinical Trials Society Collaborates with International Partners to Speed Progressive MS Research Investigators Recruiting for Personalized T Cell Immunotherapy Study in Secondary-Progressive MS Advocacy Federal Massachusetts Vermont Next Legislative Session MS Action Alert Network Volunteer Updates MS Activist Blog Government Relations Committee Health Care Reform Implementation Improved Access to Health Care in Rural Areas Wanted: MS Grass Tops! Volunteers Volunteer Engagement at Greater New England Chapter Computer Outreach Program Technical Support Volunteers Needed Fundraising Recent Event Re-caps: Dinner of Champions Vermont, MS Challenge Walk, Bike & Hike the Berkshires, New Balance Falmouth Road Race, Link Up for MS, Fall Walks, MS Harborfest, Fashion Plates Giving Has Never Been Easier Community Fundraising Events Special Thanks Upcoming Events Calendar of Events - see current calendar Classified Ads - see current listings

Tell Congress: We Need Cures, Not Cuts.

Congress is considering major changes in federal policy in order to reduce the deficit, including “sequestration,” which means arbitrary, across-the-board budget cuts to defense and non-defense spending. Sequestration would dramatically reduce funding for medical research and public health functions. If Congress enacts these cuts without considering the impact on medical research and public health, our community will lose resources dedicated to finding a cure for MS! We can’t let that happen. Join thousands of research advocates on Wednesday, November 14 in telling Congress we need cures, not cuts! Click here for: Your Members' contact information Information on who to speak to in the office Talking points to use when calling your Members' offices The call will only take a couple of minutes! Help us make this day a success and ask your friends and family to join us in telling Congress we need cures, not cuts!

Upcoming Program: Ask the Employment Specialist

Ask the Employment Specialist: Telephone Q&A Session Do you have a question about employment issues you would like answered? Are you curious about workplace disclosure, social security benefits, the need for a reasonable accommodation or are you thinking about returning to work? Employment specialist Barbara McKeon, CRC, LMHC, Director of Employment Programs at the New York City - Southern New York Chapter chapter, will be available to address your questions regarding employment concerns that are important for people living with MS. Wednesday, November 14, 2012 12 – 1 p.m. (Registration deadline November 12) Wednesday, February 13, 2013 12- 1p.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2013 12- 1p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2013 12- 1p.m. Register online

Federal Focus - November 2012

Support after Hurricane Sandy The National MS Society sends our thoughts and support to those who have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. If you are a person with MS or have a loved one with MS who has been displaced or is in need, we urge you to contact the Society’s Information Resource Center (IRC) at 1-800-344-4867, option 1 or through the IRC mailbox of generalmailbox@nmss.org. Highly trained IRC staff are fully apprised of any remaining Society office closures and can connect individuals to financial resources for temporary living assistance, medications and other emergent needs. We wish everyone a safe and speedy recovery. Election 2012 Resources On November 6, 2012, Americans will cast votes for the presidency, every member of the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the U.S. Senate. One out of every five Americans lives with a disability and their voices will be critical. With this important event around the corner, we urge you to check out resources on the Society’s Election 2012 website. The website provides information about voter registration, absentee voting, polling place accessibility, and resources to learn more about your candidates including their stances on medical research funding. Please note that the National MS Society is a nonpartisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office.

Get out and vote on November 6th!

With election day, November 6th, quickly approaching, we at the National MS Society can't understate the importance of going to the polls to vote. This election is close and your vote counts. It's important that you be informed before going to the polls, so we've provided some links below for your review. If you need a ride to the polls, you may want to call your Senate or Congressional candidates, as they may be able to offer transportation. In addition to that, your local senior center may be able to help. See you at the polls! Find out more at the National Conference of State Legislatures on: Ballot Measure Initiatives in Your State Voter ID Laws in Your State Learn more about the 2012 Election and its impact on people living with MS. Visit the Society's Election 2012 webpage today!

Last Chance! Join the challenge today and help end MS!

This is your last chance to help double efforts to end MS! Join the Match Challenge today! It’s your last chance to double efforts to end MS! Your gift to the National MS Society by October 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar — up to a total of $200,000 — by the Dan family, whose daughter was diagnosed with MS in 1998. That's double the impact on the lives of people with MS. And it's double the resources for important advancements — like research on myelin repair, which may one day stop the progression of MS for the Dans' daughter and those in your life living with MS. Because of supporters like you, we are ever closer to ensuring a brighter future for all families by propelling research and providing critical programs and services for people with MS. Don’t delay! The October 31 deadline is almost here — donate now! Sincerely, Krista Asteriadis Byers Associate Vice President of Individual Giving National MS Society P.S. Remember — The Dan family will match any gift you give in response to this offer ONLY through Oct. 31. Make your donation today! Please note that this offer only applies to gifts received in response to this campaign. Other fundraising efforts — including Bike MS and Walk MS — do not qualify for this match. Thank you for your understanding and support!