Free resource for those with MS

MyMSmyWAY is a free resource to help people with MS learn about and connect with technology that could help.

via the site:

Have you ever had trouble reading the text on a computer screen? What about typing on a keyboard? For some people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), symptoms can make these everyday tasks difficult. However, there are technologies – designed with you in mind – to help you meet these challenges and help make your life with MS easier

MyMSMyWay is a free resource dedicated to connecting people with Multiple Sclerosis to accessible technologies that can help them live their lives better. This site is made for people with MS by people with MS. Our patient steering committee has guided our efforts to ensure that the information and resources provided on this site speak directly to the MS community.

Along with the steering committee, MyMSMyWay was developed by the MS Technology Collaborative, a landmark alliance of organizations passionate about helping people with multiple sclerosis (MS) maximize their abilities. The alliance brings together leaders from the pharmaceutical, technology, and patient advocacy sectors, including Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. affiliate of Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany; Microsoft's Accessibility Business Unit; and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Each organization has a specialized understanding of the needs of people with MS.

You can read more about the companies involved, including Microsoft, National MS Society and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals here.

UPDATE: I received a link via email this morning to MS Views and News, which offers a blog, newsletter and many other resources

Rhythm of Life

Doug Burris has taught music at a high school for many years, winning awards and producing students who remember him as a teacher who they could always go to. Doug, who has MS, is now a quadriplegic. This video, which is about a documentary featuring Burris and his music program in Florida, shows that what his students learn goes far beyond music.

Giving people a voice- literally

Voice for Joanie (VFJ) offers people with ALS and MS and other disabilities equipment so they can communicate. It was started by Shirley Fredlund, after she watched her friend Joanie lose the ability to speak as a result of ALS. This video talks about the program and demonstrates some of the technology available. You can read more about it here.

Those rascals....

This video really made me chuckle - the husband as the "disembodied voice" narrates as his wife, who has MS, tours Army exhibits on a Rascal scooter.
Multiple Sclerosis / Rascal Scooter

Rolling

A documentary profiling three very different wheelchair users - one who is a single mom who has MS; another who is a scientist with a spinal cord injury from his youth; and the third, who works in the entertainment industry, who has ALS. The filmmaker, who is a doctor, had participants wear cameras to show the point of view of wheelchair users - and the film contains a great deal of information about the daily lives of the participants.

h/t to Pitt Rehab

Survey results - Women with spinal cord injuries/MS

Women without Limits, the women's advisory  committee at United Spinal Association, did a survey regarding issues women with SCI's and MS face. Their findings can be found here.  

In addition to other concerns, over one third of the respondents reported  "problems accessing information related to knowing disability  advocacy organizations, finding the best magazines for information, finding health care professionals knowledgeable about SCI/D, finding someone to talk to or ask questions, knowing other women with SCI/D, and finding that SCI/D information is oriented to men."

h/t to Ziggi over at Wheelchair Diffusion

Staying cool in the summer heat

[visual description: A man and a woman sitting on a motorcycle are shown wearing cool zone vests.]

My late friend Cindy who had MS and I had one thing in common - we both overheated in the summer. I know that because some disabilities cause difficulty in manintaining body temperature, there are folks who skip outside activities.

However, she taught me about vests that you can wear which keep your body temp in the 50's for hours and allow you to enjoy doing things outside even in the heat. These vests are wonderful for all day activities and also for seniors (or anyone) who have difficulty with the heat - or may. It's great protection to keep your day from being interrupted by heat stroke.

I've linked to a site that has Cool Zone vests above (if you click you'll enter the cool zone) so you can check it out.