MS Education | Can Do MS

The CAN DO Program staff weren’t talking about the things that I was no longer able to do. They were emphasizing what I still could do. It was so uplifting.

Jonna P., CAN DO & JUMPSTART Program Participant

by Deborah Miller, PhD, LISW Janet DeClark, MA, CCC-SLP

It is fortunate that the MS community is increasingly open about the fact that this disease includes cognitive symptoms as well and physical and emotional ones. This opens the door for persons living with MS and their health care providers to assess if cognitive symptoms exist and how best to manage them.

Based on a number of studies, it is estimated that 50% or more of people with MS will experience cognitive symptoms due to the disease. Typically these symptoms are very specific to different cognitive activities. Consequently these symptoms range from mild to moderate in severity and only about 5% of people with MS experience severely disabling cognitive problems. The symptoms are important to diagnose and understand because, left unmanaged, they can have an important impact on routine daily activities. Common cognitive symptoms include difficulty with attention and information processing, attention and concentration as well as planning, organizing and carrying out complex tasks. There are a number of ways to assess for and address these concerns.

If cognitive challenges have a significant impact on safety or ability to function in work or daily life, seeking professional help from a speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist or neuropsychologist might be advisable. Assessment and treatment could help to remediate more serious cognitive problems.

However, relatively simple compensatory strategies can also make a big difference in everyday functioning. These may involve using internal tools-such as visual or verbal associations-to help to learn new information. Strategies that employ external aids-such as calendars, smartphones or pocket logs-can assist with planning, organization and memory. The key is to use tools that fit personality, preferences and life circumstances. Keeping the use of external aids simple, and limited to two or three at most, can yield maximum benefit with minimal confusion and frustration.

Most important is having an open mind about using cognitive strategies by letting go of patterns that are no longer effective and replacing them with a fresh approach. Compensatory strategies are not a crutch, but tools that can enhance and maximize cognitive function.

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27 Main Street Suite 303 Edwards CO 81632 Phone: 970-926-1290 or 800-367-3101 Fax: 970-926-1295 Email: info@mscando.org

Can Do Multiple Sclerosis™ is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Charitable Organization Number: 74-2337853

Formerly The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis | Founded by Jimmie Heuga

A national nonprofit organization, Can Do MS is a leading provider of innovative lifestyle empowerment programs
that empower people with MS and their support partners to transform and improve their quality of life.

You must read the following terms and conditions of the Rolex "100" Raffle and accept to purchase a ticket.

Each purchaser of a raffle ticket must be at least 18 years old and only one individual's name may be associated with each ticket. All federal, state and local rules shall apply to the raffle. Tickets may be purchased by e-mail, from the website or in person from a Can Do MS staff or board member. Payments for online tickets may only be by credit card. Any credit or debit card payment that is denied shall disqualify the pending purchase and any ticket issued for such purchase will be forfeited by the purchaser. All online ticket sales shall be by the internet at the raffle website www.mscando.org/rolexraffle. All e-mail communications will be sent to the e-mail address provided by a purchaser as part of the purchase. Such communications shall include purchase confirmation and raffle ticket number. Purchaser is required to provide to Can Do MS ("Raffle Sponsor") a valid, functioning e-mail address and mailing address. The Raffle Sponsor, its processing agent and their respective directors, officers, and members assume no responsibility for incorrect, invalid, terminated or non-functioning e-mail or mailing addresses or lost, incomplete, late, illegible, or undelivered entries or entries without complete, acceptable payment.
By submitting an entry, each purchaser acknowledges having read and agreed to abide by these Official Raffle Rules.
Once a ticket has been purchased, it is non-refundable except in event the raffle is cancelled in accordance with the raffle regulations of the Colorado Secretary of State. Although a ticket may be transferred, the Raffle Sponsor shall communicate only with the ticket purchaser as shown on its records until proof of the ticket transfer is provided to the Raffle Sponsor. Any transferee of a ticket must be eligible under these Rules in order to win under any drawing. Odds of winning depend on the number of tickets sold. The maximum number of tickets sold is 100. The odds of winning the watch would be 1:100 if 100 tickets are sold. Odds decrease as more tickets are purchased.
The winner will receive the prize, subject to all applicable taxes and delivery fees. The price of any raffle tickets is not tax-deductible. As a general matter, federal and state income tax can be between 25% to 40% of the value of the raffle prize. Please consult with your own tax advisor. The winner will be entirely and solely responsible for paying any such taxes. A W-9 will need to be completed by the winner and received by Can Do MS prior to shipping of the item or receipt of the item by the winner.
Each ticket shall be sequentially numbered from the first ticket sold through the last ticket number sold. The raffle period shall be from the date the first ticket is sold, through December 2, 2013 or such earlier date as the maximum number of tickets is sold. Online ticket sales will be closed at any time before the drawing. The drawing will be held on Monday, December 2, 2013. Ticket purchase deadlines, and drawing dates, times and locations, may be extended or changed at the Raffle Sponsor's discretion, subject to approval of the Colorado Secretary of State.
Each online purchaser will be sent a ticket and receipt via e-mail that will identify the purchaser's unique raffle ticket number(s).The original printed raffle ticket will be retained by the Raffle Sponsor and the stub entered into the drawing along with the stubs of all other tickets sold. U.S. Postal regulations prohibit the mailing of raffle tickets.
At the raffle drawing, the winning raffle ticket stub shall be chosen by picking it from a large container containing all ticket stubs, thoroughly mixed. The drawing shall take place at 12:30 pm MDT on Monday, December 2, 2013 at the Can Do MS offices (27 Main Street, Suite 303, Edwards, Colorado, 81632). The winner does not need to be present at the drawing to win.
The holders of the winning ticket shall be notified by telephone and/or e-mail. The watch will be sent Certified U.S. Mail to the address provided by the purchaser. The winning ticket number and name of the winner and their respective cities (but not addresses) shall also be placed on the Raffle website immediately after the drawing. This information may also be publicized in other media.
The winner of the drawing shall be required to provide the Raffle Sponsor with a signed IRS W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification form. Winner will be asked to grant the Raffle Sponsor permission to use the winner's name, city, state, and likeness in media releases and other publicity.
The prize will be awarded in its then present, "as is", condition. The winner of the Rolex watch cannot trade the received watch for a different style.
Purchasers of tickets, by participating in the raffle, release the Raffle Sponsor, its directors, officers, members and agents from any and all liability, loss or claim arising out of any raffle prize, expressly waive any such claim and agree that the liability, if any, of the Raffle Sponsor, its directors, officers, members and agents shall be limited to the raffle ticket price paid. In case of any dispute regarding the conduct of the raffle, the decision of the Raffle Sponsor shall be final. The courts of Eagle County, Colorado shall have exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any dispute concerning the raffle.

by Deborah Miller, PhD, LISW Janet DeClark, MA, CCC-SLP

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