Balancing Your Health with Family and Work

There is currently no state or federal law that requires employers to provide a minimum number of sick days to their employees.  This creates several issues for people living with multiple sclerosis, since MS can have varying effects on a person’s ability to work.  This situation is also difficult for those serving as caregivers due to the disease's unpredictable nature.  The federal government provides some benefits to workers under The Family Medical Leave Act, which provides 12 weeks unpaid leave to eligible employees. People who have FMLA coverage may use this time to care for their own needs or the needs of a sick family member. However, businesses with less than 50 employees are not required to offer FMLA benefits. Additionally, the FMLA does not require paid sick leave, so many people who are covered by the FMLA can not afford to take advantage of the benefits provided.

The North Carolina Chapters joined NC's Paid Sick Days Coalition to support efforts to develop legislation that would provide employees in our state with up to seven paid sick days a year. The coalition's first success was the appointment of the Joint Select Committee on Work and Family Balance. The Committee has to look at both the needs of employees as well as the sustainability of small businesses. Currently, the coalition is looking at additional policies that, if enacted, would help create a more family-friendly workplace.

If you have MS, or are a caregiver for someone with MS, and lost your job due to taking time off work, we need to know!  Additionally, if you are a small business owner and would like to voice your opinion, this is the place to do it. Share with us your comments and concerns so we can address them!
Click here for information on employment issues for people with MS.
Click here for more information on FMLA and ADA.

Will OSHA Improvements Equal Greater Accessibility

This week I have been finalizing meeting requests to members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation for the Society’s Public Policy Conference. Making Hill visits on behalf of the Society is one of my favorite job duties. This will be my ninth year and by the far the visits and volunteers have been exceptional. However, the one part of these visits that always concerns me as I ask ten volunteers of varying abilities to visit fifteen different congressional offices is accessibility. In the rush from one meeting to the next, I wonder will we find the accessible entrance to the building and will a scooter or wheelchair be able to maneuver thru the member’s office to get to the conference space.

Certainly, Members and their staffs are always gracious and accommodating to constituents using mobility devices and service animals, but when I read this article about the improvements the Architect of the Capitol’s (AoC) office, the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Office of the Superintendent have made to improve OSHA violations among Congressional offices, I have some hope that accessibility may be improving as well. I will let you know next week.

NC Chapters Win Inclusive Health Award

Jeff Furst, Eastern NC Chapter President and Abby Emanuelson, NC Chapters Policy Director proudly attended the Inclusive Health Board Meeting earlier this month.

The N.C. Chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society received an award from Inclusive Health for being the top advocate/voluntary health care organization in the state. Michael Keough, the Executive Director of Inclusive Health states, "We are pleased to pay tribute to their hard work as part of our first annual recognition awards, and thank them for helping us improve the lives of nearly 3,000 covered members in our first year."

Additional links:

Eastern NC Chapter report of event  

Inclusive Health Home Page 

Eastern NC Chapter Home Page

Inclusive Health Facebook

Eastern NC Chapter Facebook

Need Help With Inclusive Health?

The North Carolina legislature created Inclusive Health to help provide insurance to the approximately 200,000 NC residents that have preexisting conditions or lack access to affordable medical coverage. 4,000 applications have been approved since the program's inception. Inclusive Health agents will visit Brunswick and Columbus county later this week to answer questions and help people enroll. These counties were chosen with expectations that many residents would qualify for Inclusive Health Assist, a program offering discounted premiums to individuals falling 300% below the poverty line. Be sure to look into these programs because although it is not all income based, it is first come first serve.

Events like this will continue being scheduled across the state, announcements are posted on the Inclusive Health Facebook page. The Inclusive Health Website has an excellent FAQ page too. People diagnosed with MS should look over these resources, and if you may be eligible, or still have questions, click here to find an agent in your county to further assist you.

NC Recieves Funds To Expand Patient-Centered Medical Homes

North Carolina will surely benefit from the expansion of our Community Care Network's patient-centered medical homes. Individuals served by this program have high medical needs. Assistance is provided in transition from different care settings, in dealing with complex medical and social situations, and by enhancing physicians' practice's ability to manage patients with chronic conditions such as MS. The program also assists families and patients in the self-management of their disease, a vital component to maintaining a high quality of life for people with MS. Both Governor Bev Perdue and Senator Kay Hagan worked as advocates for the initiation and expansion of Community Care Networks. In an recent press release, Governor Perdue explains that our medical home care system can improve the quality of care while still reducing costs, she goes on to add that, "North Carolina's innovative solutions continue to be recognized nationally."
Click Here for more information on NC Community Care Networks.

Get On the Move: How To Get Involved With the Society

If you want to live in a world free of Multiple Sclerosis then it is time for you to get involved with the National MS Society. There are several very easy ways for you to get moving. In fact, reading this blog is a great start!!

This first thing you will want to do, is find your local MS Chapter. Once you know what chapter serves your area, link to them on FaceBook and Twitter to get online access to individuals and events in your area.

Now that you are linked into your local MS networks, it is time to take the next step:
Donate your time by finding Volunteer opportunities in your area. Enter your zip code, keyword: multiple sclerosis, to find out how you can help with fund raising events as well as with our programs and services.

Help shape the policies and programs that impact people living with multiple sclerosis by becoming a MS activists.

Get others to participate too! Educate your friends and family about MS issues or help us gain corporate support.

Our blog will keep posting information about how to get involved with the movement so be sure to check it out. Feel free to leave a comment requesting specific information. Please help us spread the word by linking our blog to your other online networks! AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE SURVEY!!!

Setting the Policy Priorities of the National MS Society in NC

North Carolina legislators are part of the MS movement because of YOU, MS Activists.

Do it now, don't delay! Take the "Setting the Policy Priorities of the National MS Society in NC" survey!
Background:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, North Carolina Chapters Advocacy Network (NC CAN) was established in 2001 as a collaborative among the three chapters to advocate with a united voice. Bi-annually, the NC CAN steering committee has set forth the policy agenda. Members of the Committee include chapter staff, people living with MS, care partners and others interested in moving the Society's policy goals forward. Policy priorities are based on programs and service needs of the Chapters that can be addressed in broad policy measures at the state level.

The purpose of the survey:
To ensure that the Chapters continue to represent your policy concerns to North Carolina's elected officials. The results will be shared with the NC CAN steering committee to determine the 2010-2012 advocacy priorities.

Raleigh Transit Authority Public Hearing Notice:

WHEN: 4:00 PM, Thursday February 11, 2010
WHERE: 2nd Floor, Municipal Building, Raleigh City Council Chambers

The Raleigh Transit Authority, RTA, is holding a public hearing on Thursday, February 11 to discuss the proposed Implementation Plan for the Accessible Raleigh Transportation System -
Alternatives Analysis. Following a presentation and discussion regarding future route changes, staff will present the five proposed implementation objectives derived from the Accessible Raleigh Transportation System - Alternatives Analysis. A Public Comment Period will immediately follow the presentation.

The objectives include: (1) Revising client eligibility/certification process, (2) Initiatint group trips for common origins and destinations, (3) Establishing formal relationships with vendors, (4) Certifying and training Taxi driver (5) Pursuing Medicaid provider status.

If you are unable to attend, written comments may be submitted to the following
address:

Richard Vinson, Senior Planner
Accessible Raleigh Transportation
P.O. Box 590, Raleigh, NC 27602-0590
or email directly to Richard at:
ART@ci.raleigh.nc.us

All comments will become part of public record if received by Thursday
February 18, 2010.

Accessibility at DOT facilities

In 2009, the North Carolina Department of Transportation(DOT) conducted a statewide survey on the accessibility of its buildings. They found problems with 60 driver’s license offices and 39 license tag agencies. The type and severity of problems range. Some buildings have no accessible parking, while other facilities do not have accessible bathrooms, water fountains or counter tops.

The NC DOT will be working with advocacy groups to resolve these critical issues. Recently, a NC DOT representative spoke with the Raleigh Mayors Committee for People With Disabilities as part of the outreach step in the DOT's plan for having all buildings, facilities, and modes of transportation ADA compliant. The next step for the DOT is to determine the cost of bringing all facilities into compliance with the ADA. The final step is to make a recommendation. Philip Bickham, director of DOT’s office of civil rights, told the News and Observer, “he hopes to develop a plan during the first three months of the year.”

If you experience problems at your local DMV or other state buildings that do not comply with Americans Disability Act, or would like to be participate in a community meeting, please let us know.

How My Health Care Costs Affect Others *by Alex O'Connor

February 3, 2010
How My Health Care Costs Affect Others
by Alex O'Connor

Posted to activisMS on Friday, February 5, 2010

My health care costs take up a large portion of our income. You may say “So that is your problem”. Actually it becomes a lot of peoples problems. I have five animals who do not get yearly exams and dental cleanings like they used to. The veterinarian is losing hundreds of dollars. Multiply that by other clients who are cutting back and he may have to cut back and lose an employee. Then that employee suffers. I canceled all service contracts with plumbing, hvac, and pest control companies. Again if others have to do the same those companies will lose employees. Some of these employees will lose insurance adding to the health care problem. I rarely get a hair cut any more. Clothes come from the Goodwill. We will not buy another car until the house is paid off in ten years. We will not be going on vacation. I have not flown since the eighties. The mall is a place to walk for exercise in bad weather. Even the hardware store is seeing less of us. I closed down most of my credit cards so banks and stores are not making money on interest. Eating out is rare and far between. If you work in fast food you are out of luck with my business. I even had to quit my yoga class due to cost.
I used to give to charity. Now I have nothing to spare. Yes many people and organizations are hurting as more and more of us have to put a large portion of our income into our medical costs. It is no different for a State or the Country.

What can we do for you?

One of our goals here at the Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is to provide our members and readers with access to helpful and important information. Please leave a comment if you personally have followed any of the posted links, plan to in the near future, or have any follow up questions. We will continue to work hard at meeting your needs. Also, be on the look out for our advocacy and interest survey coming out soon! This will be a great opportunity to voice your personal concerns and direct our policy efforts over the next two years.

Long-Term Care Services & Supports You Should Know About !

Nearly a quarter of individuals living with MS will require long-term care support and services at some point during the course of their disease. In the past decade, North Carolina's long-term services have suffered due to increased service costs and a rising demand for assistance. Luckily, North Carolina received a new line of funding and the Office of Long-Term Services and Supports, a division of the NC Department of Health and Human Services, has a plan to revamp the processes of applying for as well as issuing aid. New procedures encourage integration both in the delivery of care as well as the handling of information.

The grant provides funds for a number of new programs. The Community Resource Connection or CRC is a program available in several counties. The CRC is a unique state program because it strictly believes in a person-centered approach that acknowledges the needs of individuals and their care-givers. (Did you know that one in five Americans provide care to another adult?) Also, the CRC is part of the No Wrong Doors Policy, a policy that aims to reduce departmental overlaps. Additionally, it allows citizens a linear path in acquiring services and enables state departments to cooperate by sharing information. This eliminates unnecessary paperwork, reduces wait periods, and therefore serves more people, quicker, and at a lower cost per unit without compromising quality of care. One No Wrong Doors amenity that I strongly suggest taking advantage of is NC CARE. Another policy provided is Living Healthy, which provides Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs, that are scientifically proven to positively impact participants.

Additionally, late last year, North Carolina received a federal grand for the Lifespan Respite Care Program. According to the project summary, collaborations between a number of departments within the Department of Health and Human Services, "seek to enhance and expand the quality and availability of lifespan respite services for all age groups throughout NC."

MS Physical Therapy Scholarship Recipients Graduate From UNC

In August, the first recipients of the Physical Therapy MS Scholarship are set to graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill. Physical Therapy is a specialized area of health care that is especially important to the health and overall wellness of those diagnosed with MS. People living with MS who see a physical therapist regularly experience benefits such as, improvement in balance and mobility, a decrease in weakness and fatigue, and can ultimately improve their long term mobility.

The Eastern North Carolina Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the UNC-Chapel Hill Division of Physical Therapy established the Physical Therapy MS Curriculum and Scholarship Fund at the Medical Foundation of NC. Physical therapists are in high demand in our state and across the nation. Our state is privileged to have programs like UNC's that produce such invaluable health care specialists.



Erica Byrne, seen in the youtube video, along with Kasey Gore and Kelly Thomas are the 2009-2010 recipients of the scholarship.