HORIZON

September 2014 The West Island Multiple Sclerosis Self -Help Group

3869 Des Sources blvd, Suite204, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Qc H9B 2A2

tél.: 514-676-1588 email: grpspbo@videotron.ca

Upcoming events Sept. 16: visit to Jude Pomme Orchard, Oka Dec. 14: Christmas Party

If you are still writing return addresses on

envelopes or still buying Christmas cards then

you're not giving to the right charity.

The right charity will provide you with stick on

labels showing your return address. The right

charity will supply you with enough Christmas

Cards or birthday cards or get well cards or any

kind of card you can think of. All gimmicks to get

you to donate to a particular cause.

Of course there are also other ways that charities

use in order to secure your donations.

Over 30 years ago Terry Fox began his Marathon

of Hope by dipping his artificial leg into the

Atlantic Ocean. He had hoped to run across

Canada and dip his leg into the Pacific ocean but

unfortunately his cancer returned and he had to

give up his Marathon in Manitoba. Terry

succumbed to his illness but his legend lives on.

The Terry Fox foundation has raised more than

$650 million for cancer research and continues to

touch people and inspire them to donate.

Recently Clara Hughes joined the Bell let's talk

initiative to help raise funds for mental illness.

Clara, a medalist in both summer and winter

Olympics and someone suffering from a mental

illness rode her bike through all of Canada's 10

provinces and 3 territories. She ended her run on

Canada Day, July 1, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

To date the Bell let's talk initiative has raised

more than $67.5 million for mental health

research.

The latest initiative to raise money for charity is

the ALS ice bucket challenge. ALS, sometimes

called Lou Gehrig's disease, affects 2005 to 3000

Canadian and has no knowing cure. Life

expectancy for those afflicted by the disease is 2

to 5 years with few exceptions. Apparently

pouring a bucket of ice over oneself simulates the

feelings those afflicted by ALS have.

It's a simple challenge. Someone nominates you

and you must either donate $100 to ALS or poor a

bucket of ice water over your head and donate

$10 to ALS also nominating three others to

participate in the challenge. To date the initiative

has raised $67.5 million.

Let's look at something else. We live in a world

that is not in harmony. The war in Syria is now

into its third year which has left much of the

country devastated. It is estimated that even if the

war ended today it would take 10 years to rebuild

Syria. We cannot begin to fathom the monitory

cost of that conflict. It is estimated that over 1

million people are now refugees as a result of the

ongoing war.

We now have a problem in the Ukraine which

does not appear to be ending soon. When it does

end some country will have to pay millions to

rebuild the shattered mess that they will inherit.

The Israelis and the Palestinians hopefully have

just ended their latest conflict. It is estimated that

Israel alone spent more than $30 million American

for each day of that conflict. The conflict lasted 50

days which means it cost Israel more than $1.5

billion, that's right billion not million to wage war.

Who knows the final figure to rebuild Palestine

and repair shattered lives?

Canada has indicated that it will replace its aging

fighter jets. The present government is leaning

towards replacing these planes with F 18

manufactured in the United States. Some people

have speculated that the actual cost of replacing

our fighter jets with F 18's would be over $10

billion. That's a lot of research dollars we could

otherwise be using.

Imagine, as John Lennon said, a world without

war and what we could do with the money we

save. . - Tom

40 years of helping people afflicted

with Multiple Sclerosis

OUR SUMMER

BBQ – 40th anniversary

This year’s annual barbecue, held at the Surrey Center on July 14th marked

the 40th year of the WI MS self-help group.

The steak lunch was excellent and plentiful. The event was bitter sweet as

it was also Anne Kearnan’s last official day with the group. Nicole Montpetit

presented her with a lovely coffee-table sized travel book and a souvenir

photo album which Nicole spent much time preparing to make sure every

member was included. Anne will certainly not be able to forget us!

Happy 40th Anniversary to a group that keeps on giving…

Congratulations Madeleine on 40 years!

Media coverage: The Suburban July 23rd, 2014, page 15

Camp for the West-Island MS Group

Who would have thought that at our age, we

would participate in a summer camp! There

have to be advantages to having MS! Starting

Monday , although we were among the

youngest in the group , we felt that our

presence was much appreciated and that we

would have fun during this week of camp. We

also realized that we would not be sleeping

much ... and yes, there are uncomfortable

mattresses, snorers , night owls and some

noisy dreamers ! Tuesday , we went on a

beautiful lake by Rabaska. Our rowers worked

very hard despite some who were talking

rather than rowing and others that preferred

splashing us.. Thank goodness for Martin,

who didn’t let us down !

Then there was shuffleboard, bingo, poker,

card games ... A lot of activities to be had. It

was a beautiful week filled with discovery ,

friendship and respect for one another. At

camp, no one is judged , there are no

differences , everyone is equal . We had the

chance to meet people with whom we do not

have the chance to speak with regularly on

Mondays and Thursdays. There are also all the

volunteers who accompanied us, served and

helped us all week. Without them, the week

would not have been the same. Thank you.

Well, we look forward to camp next year so we

can laugh, have fun and also to forget, forget

that we are disabled, sick, different but at

camp, we forget all of that for one week, and

that certainly does a lot of good.

- Geneviève and Annie

First time camper

I loved camp! What an initiation and

what a wonderful experience to have

with 31 friends. Congratulations to all

the teams - les débutants, the happy

team, cinq étoiles, hahaha, les étoiles

and les sympatiques. The games,

activities, Rabaska and Pontoon ride

were fabulous. There was shuffleboard

and a corn roast where Queen Maureen

and King Jean-Yves were crowned by

their predecessors. The best part of all

though is by far the people. I enjoyed so

very much sitting and talking with most

every one at camp. Even though we

were only together for 4 days, I came

home feeling as if I had known everyone

for over a year. Thanks for a great

experience. Looking forward to next

year! - Nicole D.

Etincelle Camp

A & W, Cruising for a Cause

The A&W day for MS took place on

Thursday August 21st and was a great

success Thank you to everyone who

bought a Teen Burger on this special

day. See you next year !

…and from across the country!

Here I am in Vancouver enjoying A&W Cruising for a

Cause on August 21st, with my grandkids.

Miss you all so much!

- Anne

Exercice combats illness

I felt the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in

September 1992 during a difficult trial; I obviously

did not know what I had and after two weeks of

hospitalization and multiple tests, the neurologist

gave me a diagnosis of cerebral thrombosis; it was

not until 1997, almost five years later, that I learnt

that I have secondary progressive type MS, the

worst and most disabling.

Instinctively, I immediately began to do a lot of

exercises and signed up at a gym; nevertheless,

the disease progresses, I walk with a cane with

difficulty, and my wife drives my car; Needless to

say, my memory, my balance and many other

functions are impaired.

I am a very determined person and I decided to

work harder than the disease. I refuse to let it

dominate my life so I do more and more exercise, a

lot of pool time, yoga, and I sign up at EPIC, the

gym at the Montreal heart institute.

In summary, I declined for 10 years, and now I've

been improving for 10 years. I'm finally grasping

the disease that no longer dominates my life.

Misfortunes never come alone, and in 2010, I had

heart issues and had to undergo open-heart triple

bypass surgery. With 7 weeks of hospital, I came

out very weak; but I increased the pace of my

exercises, even though is was often difficult.

Today, I have a scooter that I use for long distances

on average 2 times a week but I'm walking without

a cane and limping only slightly.

In 2013, I followed an aquafit class for regular

people and joined the gym at Hotel Dieu. To start,

my ability was measured on an inclined treadmill. I

manage 1.58 minutes at 2.67 Metz; in January

2014, after 24 sessions, I passed a new test and I

lasted 10 minutes at 6.9 Metz, while a man of my

age is 7.0 or 7.1 Metz on average.

I still have some symptoms of MS, but nothing too

pronounced. So I feel I've almost beat the disease.

My neurologist who has been following me for 15

years said that my symptoms have almost

disappeared.

It thus clear to me that exercise is the best

medicine, and that we must work harder than the

disease. - Jean-Yves

The French version of this article appeared in the

March 2014 Horizon newsletter.

Starting in Spring 2015, Post Canada will cease

door to door delivery in several Montreal regions

including Dorval and Lachine – which will be

affected first. What does this mean for disabled

customers? According to Post Canada

spokesperson, Kateri Saumure,

“There will be no change in the delivery method

for clients who live in residenial buildings,

condos and old-age residences and who already

receive their mail in the front hall of their

building” specifies Kateri Saumure,

spokeswoman for the Canadian Society.

If you need special accommodations, because

you have significant mobility issues and lack

alternatives to access a community mailbox,

please call Post Canada directly at 1-844-454-

3009.

Source: Le Méssager, Lachine et Dorval; August

15th, 2014

Post Canada to Roll out Home

Delivery Changes

In Spring 2015

The exercice combats illness article was

realized through a grant from Biogen Idec.

RESULTS Thank you to all those who fundraised

for this cause that is so dear to our

hearts. 256 walkers took part and there

were 23 teams in all for the West Island.

Once again, our top fundraiser for the

West Island is…drum roll please…

Top fundraiser: Robin Little $8,594.75

Total raised: over $100,000

Top fundraiser team:

West Island Roadrunners (57

members) $ 26,499.75

Looking forward to seeing you all again

next year on Sunday May 24th 2015.

2014 MS WALK RESULTS

Ginger Petty Picnic

On Wednesday, August 6th, we were invited to a picnic

on Ile Bizard hosted by Mrs. Petty. Over 30 members

spent a lovely day at the waterfront estate and were

fed lunch and entertained by bag pippers and funny

games. The party was marvelously organized and a

very particular attention was given to every detail.

Thank you very much Mrs. Petty. We enjoyed

ourselves tremendously.

THANK YOU Our thanks to Nicole Duchastel, Anne Kearnan, Tom Ramsey, Carmen Basler, Danielle Tisserand, Michèle Paré, Robin Little, Helena Langdon, Sonia Moreno, Tara Devine, Jacqueline Brodbeck.

Our sincere condolences to Mary McDonough whose brother Kenny McDonough passed away on 14 aout.

CHRISTMAS PARTY

It's already time to start thinking about the

Christmas Party. This year, it will be held on Sunday,

December 14th, at the Karnak Centre, 3350 Boul.

des Sources Dollard des Ormeaux. Sign up now

by phone:514-676-1588 or by email:

grpspbo@videotron.ca

AQUAFITNESS

The Aquafit sessions, tailored to our needs,

resume Thursday, September 18th, at the Dollard-

des-Ormeaux Aquatic Center, 12001 De Salaberry.

When: Thursdays 10:30 to 11:15.

Think about joining us this fall.

CONDOLENCES

September 9th Care Givers Meeting

September 15th Monday Meeting

September 16th Apple Picking

September 18th Aquafit

September 22nd Monday Meeting

September 25th Aquafit

September 27th Quebec Summit on M.S.

September 29th Monday Meeting

October 2nd Aquafit

October 6th Monday Meeting

October 9th Aquafit

October 13th No Monday Meeting

October 16th Aquafit

October 20th Monday Meeting

October 23rd Aquafit

October 24-26 Congrès Espoir famille

October 27th Monday Meeting (Halloween )

October 30th Aquafit

November 3rd Monday Meeting

November 6th Aquafit

November 10th Monday Meeting

November 13th Aquafit

November 17th Monday Meeting

November 20th Aquafit

November 24th Monday Meeting

November 27th Aquafit

December 1st Monday Meeting

December 4th Aquafit

December 8th Monday Meeting

December 11th Aquafit

December 14th Christmas Party

December 15th Monday Meeting

December 18th Aquafit

December 25th Merry Christmas!

Congrès ESPOIR FAMILLE There is still time to register for the Espoir

famille Conference taking place in

Sherbrooke from October 24th-26th. There will

be fascinating workshops and lots of activities

for the whole family! Please do consider

joining us. More information is found at

scleroseenplaques.ca/qc/espoirfamille or by

contacting Mylène at 514-875-4591.