MS Trust news - May 2008
Open Door - May 2008 page 16
- New book on falls
- New look website
- How do you Stay Active?
- MS Trust logo competition 'Where would you stick yours?'
- The Abseil - Why did we do it? Because we can!
New book on falls
The MS Trust's newest book was published during MS Awareness.
Falls: Managing the ups and downs of MS takes a practical look at what can be done to help cope with a problem familiar to many people with MS.
Falling is the commonest cause of accidental injury in the UK, with more than 2.7 million people affected each year. Falls can happen to anyone irrespective of age or medical condition, although some of the symptoms of MS can increase the risk.
The book looks at factors that increase the risk of falling and includes tips and suggestions for reducing the dangers. There is also a section on the fear of falling and information on how to remain safe should you have a fall.
The book was written in conjunction with Wendy Hartland, an MS Specialist Nurse in Coventry. She says: "In describing ways to cope with falls, we hope this book will help people with MS to remain safe without imposing unnecessary limitations on day to day activities." Falls: managing the ups and downs of MS is free. To order your copy, either use the contact details below or visit
New look website
The new MS Trust website was unveiled on 14 April. To go with the fresh, attractive design, the site is packed with new features and information about MS.
As well as the fully revised and expanded A-Z of MS, our regularly updated news pages and the comprehensive guide to research, a new attraction is the magazine style pages. There are currently pages that focus on information for men with MS, women with MS, partners of people with MS and for people recently diagnosed. We will be adding extra pages in the future.
Have a look at the new site and let us know what you think.
How do you Stay Active?
The MS Trust have launched Stay Active, a new section of our website. With over 50 activities, from angling to yoga, the Stay Active pages provide information about sports and other leisure activities and inspire people to try something new.
The pages contain a wealth of personal experiences from people with MS - from exploring Rutland Water by tricycle to competing in the Paralympic wheelchair curling team.
- If you take part in a sport or other activity, here's your chance to spread the word!
- Send us your story of up to 500 words before 31 May 2008. We'll publish a selection on the Stay Active pages and three people will win a Cool Zone vest (donated by Jackson Technical Solutions Ltd).
MS Trust logo competition 'Where would you stick yours?'
The MS Trust in conjunction with MySpace Impact is challenging the UK to think of creative ways to display our new logo. People can draw it, photoshop it, knit it or even bake it - the bigger and more eye catching the better. A shortlist of the best entries will appear on the website and be put to a public vote.
The more creative the better… the sky's the limit! Entries must of course be legal and should not be likely to cause offence.
Due to demand the closing date for entries has been extended to 2 June 2008 with voting continuing until 22 June.
The Abseil - Why did we do it? Because we can!
On Saturday 19 April, we invited people with MS and those who work with them to join us in abseiling 100ft down Millers Dale Viaduct in Derbyshire. 100 people from all over the country rose to the challenge.
The event was part of our celebration of MS Awareness and allowed us to bring together people with MS, with all levels of mobility and people who work with them, to demonstrate what can be achieved by a motivated team, working together.
Here's what some of the participants had to say:
Can't wait to do something like this again! I am a super radical adrenalin freak now! Thanks, Thanks and Thanks Again!
It was lovely to be outdoors and DO something - what's next?
I had a really great time doing the abseil, it felt really good to do something I never thought I would be able to again!! Cheers!
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