Your local MS Branch

Everyday living
22

So, the MS Society is attempting to duplicate existing services in many ways. Perhaps that’s the problem here. The MS Society can’t compete with local services. Should it try to? I don’t think there is a need.

Quote from PJDay

As I have said, PJ, you are entitled to that opinion, but please realise - the MS Society are NOT duplicating services that already exist - not in many places! Social activities are not funded by the social services. Adult social care does not “do” socialisation or even for the emotional well being of a person.

I too have joined classes just to get me out and about, but getting a carer to get me there? Not a chance in hell. we moved last year and a lot of surfing the web has gone into finding new activities.

We don’t have a car so for us, its the bus and where my wheelchair will go. Unless you live in a hotspot like London, 5 miles is probably a bit limited a circle to draw from. I probably go further to my tai chi class.

23

The Care Act covers this:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-2014-part-1-factsheets/care-act-factsheets

If you contact your local Adult Social Care team they will come and assess your needs for ‘Direct Payments’ and a

‘Personal Budget’ - this includes social wellbeing and holidays or classes with a carer/PA to help you.

You can also get equipment via Adult Social Care like a rise and recline chair (made to measure), a rise and recline bed,

bedside table, bathlift, ramps and rails, a wet room etc.,.

So I stand by my claim: I have no need for help from the MS Society.

In a sense, their lobbying MPs has helped bring about the

Care Act - which covers our need for social care - and in doing so created the seeds for their own destruction.

Here is the one for Surrey: check your local council website.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/your-council/how-the-council-works/our-performance/our-corporate-strategy/chief-executives-progress-reports/protecting-our-vulnerable-children-case-studies/case-study-personal-budgets-help-families-have-more-control-over-the-care-they-receive

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/care-and-support-for-adults/social-care-and-assessments/how-and-when-social-care-can-help-you/arranging-your-own-adult-social-care-service-using-direct-payments

Ask for an assessment of your social care needs and take a good holiday.

I think you are missing out if you don’t apply.

24

Everybody is different. Services are different across the country. For me, as a newly diagnosed person I have different needs to someone who may have lived with ms for a long time and possibly isn’t working. As I said earlier, we meet in a free venue for a chat. The chat is not exclusively about ms, but if needs be I can ask others there for their experiences. For me that is invaluable. Before this I had never met another person who had suffered with optic neuritis for example, I had felt in some ways quite isolated, even thou I was working and have interests. So I am thankful to my local group for giving me this opportunity.

25

When it comes to local MS Support Groups I think I am extremely lucky. My local group is about 10 minutes away by car. The centre is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9.30 until about 2-3pm. There are a great bunch of people that go there - mostly about my age. Would be great if younger people came too but maybe the fact that they’re all about my age puts em off lol There’s the usual tea, coffee, biscuits, cakes etc on offer. They have two therapy rooms where you can have massages, reiki, reflexology etc. They have gym equipment specifically for those of us who want to keep exercising but perhaps find mainstream gym equipment too challenging. They have plenty of printed information on hand. They have lots of experience of the challenges faced by MS’ers and are more than willing to help where they can. They hold a quiz evening at a local pub once a month. They also have other events on a regular basis. The next big one is a Summer Ball which will be held at a local venue and sounds amazing! Best of all they are a bloody great bunch of people. I always feel happier when I leave than when I arrive. Juls