National MS Society - South Florida Chapter Hosts Multiple Sclerosis Health Expo

Main Category: Multiple Sclerosis
Article Date: 02 Jan 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will host its first Multiple Sclerosis Health Expo at the Signature Grand on Sunday, January 22, 2006 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. This important event provides an opportunity for individuals with MS and their families to gather materials and learn skills to help them achieve and maintain meaningful and productive lifestyles. Admission is free of charge and open to the community. Refreshments will be served, and a big screen TV will be playing in the background for sports fans to watch the NFL playoffs.

"We are excited about bringing the Multiple Sclerosis Health Expo to the community," said Karen Dresbach, president of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-South Florida Chapter. "The expo is designed to be both motivational and educational, anticipate 300-500 to attend."

The Multiple Sclerosis Health Expo will feature a panel of local MS neurologists with affiliated NMSS MS Centers, University of Miami, North Broward Hospital District and Palm Beach. Patients are encouraged to submit questions to the panel, and panelists will rotate the answers. Experts in fitness will perform demonstrations and give handouts on tai chi, yoga and physical therapy.

Presentations topics include pain management, parenting with MS, social security and disability, nutrition, and sessions for newly diagnosed and secondary progressive patients. Presentations in Spanish will include a panel of bilingual neurologists, who will be on-hand to answer questions, demonstrate physical therapy techniques and offer workshops on women's issues and coping.

Vendors will display their products from pharmaceutical companies, DME companies, home and auto modifications, cooling vests, etc. In addition, booths will give advice on transportation issues, respite, accessible housing, services for the blind, traveling with disabilities, NMSS clinic affiliations, large print books/audio library, acupuncture, alternative and complementary therapy, independent living, NMSS research, chapter programs including camps for kids and tables about the MS Walk and MS Bike Tour, two of the largest fundraisers for the chapter.

"We expect an excellence turn out, and if the feedback is as positive as we hope, we may make this an annual event," said Dresbach.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or more severe, and may include paralysis or loss of vision. Thanks to significant advances in research, the FDA has approved several treatments that may alter the underlying disease course of multiple sclerosis. Early treatment is critically important. People with MS should consult their doctors about using one of these FDA-approved medications and other effective treatments for the symptoms of MS.

The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to end the devastating effects of MS. We do this through the extensive research we support to find the cause, cure and improved treatments of the disease; the comprehensive services we provide to people with MS and their families; the professional education programs we offer to assist health care providers better serve their MS patients; and through the advocacy work we further on state and federal levels to encourage public policies supportive of the needs of people with multiple sclerosis. This is why we at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are here. If you or someone you know has MS, contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 1 800 FIGHT MS or http://www.nmssfls.org

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