Paper Bags, Comedy and Birthday Cake

Our Social Event on Saturday was a great success! Starting with a great workshop on how to create tough paper bags out of newspaper (yes, it is possible), we were then graced with some brilliant comedy, courtesy of the Humour Club International.

Afterwards, it was time for birthday celebrations, and some catch-up between old and new friends.

A great day all round!

For more information, to see some of our previous campaigns, and to contact us, click these links to our Website and Facebook, or follow us on twitter @MSSICH. To donate securely, please click here: Donate Now!

Thomas Edison

Stay Strong :)

Comedy Afternoon for our MSP's - 24th of August @ 2.30pm

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India - Chennai Chapter!

August has dawned on us, and it is time for another meeting at BOSCH canteen Chennai!

Date: August 24, 2013
Day: Saturday
Venue: BOSCH canteen
Time: 2.30pm

The Humour Club International, Chennai Wing, is joining us for an evening of laughter and fun. Mr. Seekaran who heads the Chennai Wing has promised us a fun packed day - So do bring your family and friends, and call in to let us know you're coming, so we can make tea / seating arrangements.

Please bring in 2 passport size photographs, as we are developing ID cards for all of our MS patients.

We also plan on running a 1/2 hour paper bag making session, for all those who want to learn how to make bags out of newspapers, to increase their monthly income (or to just learn a new skill!).

We will also be celebrating the birthday of all those members born in August, so make sure you come along for the fun!

Looking forward to seeing you all,

With regards,

The MSSI Chennai Team.

Meet our MSPs... Ms Sita

As part of our new awareness campaign, MSSI is introducing you to the stories of some of our MS patients, who would like to help others understand the effects MS can cause to peoples lives. Multiple Sclerosis affects different people in different ways, and at different times. This can make it hard to diagnose, as it varies from day to day, and from person to person. It also makes it hard to deal with, with the constant worry that new symptoms will emerge, or that it will flair up at the worst possible time. What matters is the support we can provide to MS patients, both medically, and through counseling and help on their terms.

Ms. Sita suffers from an extreme case of MS. Unable to speak, and unable to fully control the muscles in her body, apart from those in her arms, the 28 year old from Chennai is bedridden. Her family and friends have invested heavily in providing her with the best medical treatment and equipment, in an effort to improve her quality of life. She is lucky to have such a strong support structure around her, and would be in a much worse position if it wasn't for their constant care and love. 

Things haven't always been this way. Ms. Sita was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 22 years old. Before the MS, she was an accomplished Bharata Natyam dancer, a dance-form well known for its fluid movements and graceful poses. She had a bright future in front of her, having been awarded a B-Tech from the prestigious BITS-Goa University. Multiple Sclerosis took these dreams away from her. 

There is currently no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. There is medication to help manage it, and slow its progression, and the help of physiotherapy and lifestyle changes can help reduce the diseases impact on your life, but it is always with you. MS is usually diagnosed in young adults, between the ages of 20-40. It is much more likely to affect woman than men, and results in a reduced quality of life for the patient. 

One of the most important things for MS patients is to have a strong support structure around them, available when they want it. The MSSI provides this structure to MS patients, most of whom do not have the care and support that Ms. Sita is fortunate enough to enjoy. We provide medical equipment and medication, physiotherapists, a friendly ear, counseling, and the assurance that there is someone here to care for our MSPs. Keeping a positive attitude leads to better mental health, and a better quality of life. We help our patients when they are feeling down.

Ms. Sita's condition is extremely limiting, but with the support of her amazing family and friends, her physiotherapist, and the MSSI, she is seeing some welcome improvements.

For more information, to see some of our previous campaigns, and to contact us, click these links to our Website and Facebook, or follow us on twitter @MSSICH. To donate securely, please click here: Donate Now!

Meet our MSPs... Ms. Maheswari

As part of our new awareness campaign, MSSI Chennai Chapter is introducing you to the stories of some of our MS patients, who would like to help others understand the effects MS can cause to peoples lives. Multiple Sclerosis affects different people in different ways, and at different times. This can make it hard to diagnose, as it varies from day to day and from person to person. What matters is the support we can provide to MS patients, both medically and through counseling and support.

Ms. Maheswari is a resident of T. Nagar, a neighbourhood of Chennai. At the age of 46 years old, she was diagnosed with MS 15 years ago, at the age of 31 years old. Her symptoms presented themselves at the age of 30, hindering her work. She was employed in textiles, as a garment exporter, when her eyesight begun to deteriorate.

The affects of MS meant that she quickly became unable to continue her work. The ability to look and judge the quality and colour of the fabrics they were exporting were crucial to her employment, and she was unable to continue. The MS has mainly affected her eyesight, but also her gait, reducing her mobility. Other symptoms that MS can manifest as include fatigue, numbness, tingling, balance / coordination problems, spasticity, pain, dizziness and speech and voice disorders.

Ms. Maheswari has been an active member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India for a long time. She told us that the MSSI mainly gives her psychological support, which is crucial for MSPs when coping with the disease. The knowledge that there are people there, willing and wanting to help you makes all the difference. Knowing that you are not the only person out there experiencing your symptoms, and that there are others out there who know how you feel. She told us that '...Any problem you have - you can ask them, and they will help you'. The treatment for MS here in India is very expensive, and the MSSI are able to subsidise this medication, and provide physiotherapy to patients. Being able to talk to the staff at the MSSI is very important as a means of support.

Not only does she receive support from the charity, but she also helps the charity to reach more people in Chennai suffering silently with MS, and to help raise funds to finance future projects and plans. She volunteers both for the MSSI, and for the Spastic Society of India, an NGO that aims to empower those with disabilities through Education, Employment, Health Care and Advocacy. Though her condition limits her mobility, she still actively participates with these charities. When not volunteering, Ms. Maheswari is kept company by her two loving cocker spaniels.

For more information, to see some of our previous campaigns, and to contact us, click these links to our Website and Facebook, or follow us on twitter @MSSICH. To donate securely, please click here: Donate Now!

A Successful Run - Citizens Run Trust Event - 4/08/13

 

The Citizens Run Trust event yesterday, 4/08/13 saw over 800 participants representing and raising awareness for 14 NGO's along Marina Beach. 90% of participants were wearing the Citizens Run Trust t-shirts, 100 of which were sold out of out MSSI Chennai Chapter Office! Starting from outside Queen Mary's College, participants walked 8 km, with each NGO carrying their own banner. The event was flagged off by the General Manager of Taj Club House, Mount Road. The beach provided a wonderful venue for the walk. The walk was rounded off with a cultural dance by the John Britto Dance Company. A great event!

The support to be given out by the Citizens Trust Run was to 3 NGO's, who needed funds to complete their own projects. MSSI participated in good measure to say a heartfelt thank you for their kind gesture of a donation of 3 lakhs during the last financial year!

Click here for more information regarding the Citizens Run Trust, and how you can get involved.

For more information, to see some of our previous campaigns, and to contact us, click these links to our Website and Facebook, or follow us on twitter @MSSICH. To donate securely, please click here: Donate Now!

Global Solidarity - World MS day 2013 MSSI review

Every year, World MS day is celebrated by the members of the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. It is a chance for us all to raise our voices and highlight Multiple Sclerosis as a global issue, and to raise funds to support our MS patients, and raise funds for further research into MS. The theme for World MS day 2013 was 'Young People with MS'.

Here is a review of what we and the other chapters of MSSI did to celebrate World MS day, in 2013!

        

MSSI Chennai Chapter observed “World MS Day” right from May 23 to June 2, 2013. Keeping in mind the theme “MS and Youth” and the need to spread awareness among people, particularly Youth, we got a young theatre group, who called themselves “Theatre Y” to put a “Veedinadagam” (Street Theatre) in our local language, Tamil.  They carried this “Veedinadagam” to the length and breadth of Chennai, performing in 2 parks, in a church compound after Mass, and in 2 of the City’s largest shopping malls. Being the holiday season, the malls were filled with shoppers of all ages, the parks in the evening were filled with walkers and children playing cricket to rollers skates, stopped and watched.

In the church compound, large crowds who attended the feast of “Our Mother Mary” gathered outside to watch the Street Theatre.The Street Theatre players enacted and explained what MS is all about, its symptoms, its diagnosis, its treatment and how like any other disease, we can live a quality life with MS. MSSI, Chennai Chapter also participated in 2 large exhibitions at the Chennai Trade Centre. Both exhibitions attracted crowds of no less than 50,000 to 60,000 visitors each spanning 5 days. Pamphlets were distributed. It was a fulfilling adventure for all at MSSI Chennai, for nearly 2 whole weeks !

MSSI Bengaluru Chapter organised a walk through Cubbon park to raise awareness about MS. With 150 participants, and lots of press coverage, it was a great success. 

MSSI Delhi Chapter continued its special medical panel discussion, with AIIMS (All Indian Institutes of Medical Sciences), which was attended by 90 people. A variety of themes were discussed, and questions from ms patients and family were posed to the panel. They also created awareness with an event with music and dance, at Select City Walk Mall Saket.

MSSI Hyderabad Chapter celebrated the event at City Centre Mall, Banjara Hills. The evening included dancing, singing and competitions, with the event culminating in the formation of a human chain. The event was widely covered by local and electronic media!

MSSI Indore Chapter organised a "Musical Event - NAYE PURANE, GEET SUHANE' at the Mai Mangeshkar Auditorium. with 500 people in attendance, and plenty of songs, the event was a great success at creating awareness for MS! 

MSSI Mumbai Chapter decided to celebrate World MS day throughout the month of May, to get maximum awareness for the disease. Starting with a 'Free Melodious Music Clinic' with 1000 people in attendance, a great success. They also organised a Cycle Rally, with Bandra Cycle Club. With awareness raising events, seminars and sessions across Mumbai, MSSI Mumbai Chapter had a very busy and rewarding month!

MSSI Pune Chapter held an awareness raising event, starting with an human chain of 150 people! The event then went on to raise awareness about MS. They also arranged a lunch treat for all MS youth patients. Counseling and good food were provided to all youth patients who showed up!

For more information, to see some of our previous campaigns, and to contact us, click these links to our Website and Facebook, or follow us on twitter @MSSICH. To donate securely, please click here: Donate Now!