Lives Worth Living; PBS, Oct. 27

The documentary on the Disability Rights Movement of the last 40 years
entitled "Lives Worth Living" is now completed, and scheduled for
broadcasting on Public Television under Independent Lens on October 27th,
2011 at 10:00 pm.


Please share this news release with everyone you can think of who would be
interested in knowing about this history and the people involved who tell
the story. Additional information including a poster, post cards, and web
page will be available within the next few days.

This documentary is an opportunity to celebrate the work that was done by
those who are with us, and those who have passed on, especially our
recently deceased leader Fred Fay, who was the idea man behind this
documentary.

Best wishes to all in our disability advocacy.

Elmer

Elmer C. Bartels
12 Elm Brook Circle
Bedford, MA 01730
(t) 781-275-6078
(f) 781-275-5626
Ecbartels@verizon.net

Why Research Funding is Important to Me

Dancing in my spring ballet recital was a tradition growing up. But, in my junior year of high school, that tradition unexpectedly came to a halt. At 16 years old, I was suddenly unable to walk, which I later discovered was a direct result of my multiple sclerosis. After hearing my diagnosis, dancing was no longer my focus; the only thing I could concentrate on was getting back on my feet.

In time, my ability to walk was restored. Regaining strength and mobility was possible for me and for so many others because of years of research that occurred previous to my diagnosis in 2006. Now at 22 and still active, I wonder where I would be without the extensive research, the innovative drugs, and the dedicated scientists who work every day for more effective treatments and ultimately to cure MS.

I am not letting my diagnosis stop me—I will pursue a career and hopefully raise a family. Like so many others living with MS, though, I would love to not constantly worry about what tomorrow will bring. As thankful as I am for the treatments people living with MS now have and the progress we have made, I still want a cure. I still dream of a world free of MS. Research is the only road to a cure.

Please help me maintain my hope for a cure by asking Congress to continue to provide research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the premier national institutions that conducts MS research. As Congress moves forward preparing the Fiscal Year 2012 budget, click here to email your Members of Congress and let them know that NIH research is essential to maintaining hope for all of those living with MS by advancing the search for a cure. Together, we can make a difference.

Participate in an online survey about Social Support, Outcome expectations and physical activity!

Dear Friend,

You are being invited to participate in a research study to assess how social support and outcome expectations relate to physical activity in people with multiple sclerosis. If you have already received this email and have completed the survey, thank you! We appreciate your effort and support.

If you have not yet completed the survey, we would appreciate your participation. You are being asked to participate in this survey because you are an adult with MS. The information gained through this research will provide helpful insight into adoption and adherence to exercise by those with MS and into possible strategies to promote physical activity.

First, you will be asked to complete a short survey to determine eligibility. Once deemed eligible, then you will be asked to complete an online survey, the completion of which should take you about 20 to 30 minutes. The types of questions will include information such as your demographics, current physical activity levels, confidence in your balance and walking, what you expect from exercise, and how you feel supported or not supported to exercise by family and friends. The information obtained during this study will be treated as confidential with your right to privacy assured. The results of the investigation may be published but your name will not be revealed in any part of the study. All data will be analyzed and referred to with a code number that will be known only to the investigators and stored securely throughout the course of the study. The survey and your responses will be deleted after completion of the study.

Your participation in this study is voluntary and there are no personal risks associated with your participation in this study. You may withdraw or discontinue participation at any time without penalty or prejudice. Your consent to participate is implied once you complete the survey. We ask that if you are interested in participation that the survey be completed within the subsequent two weeks upon your reception of this letter, although it is expected that the survey will remain open and available to complete until 5:00pm Tuesday, September 5, 2011.

Any questions concerning the research or your participation should be directed to Kelley E. Groll, Undergraduate, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405 at MSstudyUVM@gmail.com

If you have any questions about your rights as a participant in a research project, you should contact Nancy Stalnaker, the director of the Research Protections Office at the university of Vermont at (802) 656- 5040
Your decision to participate is sincerely appreciated.

Please connect to this link to take the survey. Thank you!