MSSI @ SEVA MELA 2013

MSSI @ SEVA MELA 2013

                                    

        

 

 

United Way of Chennai (UWC), is a non-government, organization dedicated to improving lives in Tamil Nadu by identifying and addressing the long term needs of communities by promoting and encouraging voluntary charitable service and volunteerism.

and

CIOSA (Confederation of Indian Organisations For Service and Advocacy) is a collaborative platform for NGOs, corporate, and Individuals for mutual learning, resource sharing and collective espousal of social causes.

Together, they are facilitating SEVA MELA 2013 on the 5^th and 6^th of October 2013 at the Guild of Service, between 2pm and 10pm.

Seva mela will be a great opportunity for the corporate volunteers to join hands and have a feel of the cause and the related NGO.

Spreading awareness about MS has always been very important for MSSI.  With this in focus, MSSI is participating in the ‘Seva Mela’ this year.

Please drop in at MSSI stall on the 5^th and/or 6^th of October 2013 at the Guild of Service, Egmore, Chennai.




 

MSSI & Joy Of Giving

JOY OF GIVING 2013

Over the last 5 years, Joy of Giving Week, is being held during the days of 2-Oct to 8-Oct. This is an event promoting and celebrating the idea of "caring and sharing".

 

As is being done in the recent past, under the umbrella of 'Joy of Giving', MSSI is also putting up 'Wish Tree' at prominent locations in Chennai -

1.     Forum Vijaya Mall, Arcot Road, Vadapalani (2-Oct-13 to 8-Oct-13)

2.     Prince Arcade, College Road, Chennai – 6 (3-Oct-13 to 4-Oct-13)

3.      IOB Head office, 763, Anna Salai, Chennai – 2 (7-Oct-13 to 8-Oct-13)

Come and join MSSI in celebrating the JOY OF GIVING.

 

 

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!