Chapter Services

The Durham Regional Chapter of the MS Society of Canada offers services to those living with multiple sclerosis to help them work towards achieving and maintaining an independent lifestyle by offering the following services:

  • supportive counselling through office and telephone contact
  • aids in identifying needs for referral to appropriate community agencies
  • liason with other health care professionals
  • support for and referrals to self-help support groups
  • arranges for permanent loan of equipment if in stock and recommended by a health care professional
  • provide funding toward special assistance needs and equipment as per MS policy and procedure.

Funding Guidelines

The MS Society's funding is meant to supplement existing government programs and other available private funding, including the resources of the client and family.  In this way, the MS Society's funding can be used to meet the needs of as many people with MS as possible.

Eligibility:

  • The family and person with MS must be involved in identifying their needs and how much they can reasonable afford to contribute towards the cost of the service or equipment.
  • The family's income will be such that they cannot obtain funding through existing government programs.
  • The client or family's health insurance policies do not cover the necessary items.
  • The client or family cannot afford to pay for the item completely on their own.  We rely on the client and family's judgement about their ability to pay.  We request cost-sharing with the client/family paying a minimum 20-25% portion of the cost.

Procedures:

Funding is rarely approved after the fact.  It is therefore essential that the MS Society is contacted for approval prior to any equipment or service purchase.  An assessment must be performed by a qualified health care professional and an application form:  either our Special Assistance Program Application form or our Equipment Program Application form, must be completed by the client and the health care professional.  The assessment substantiates the need for a particular service/piece of equipment.

There are two programs funded by the MS Society:

Special Assistance Program – based on the availability of the Chapter Funds - $900.00 is the maximum allocation per client. Type of service could include – cleaning, home maintenance, transportation – to medical appointments, emergency response services. 

Equipment Program – based on the availability of the Chapter Funds - $900.00 is the maximum allocation per client – Items which may be considered fall into the following categories – mobility aids; wheelchairs, electric beds, stair glides, walkers, portable ramps, Bathroom aids; grab bars, commodes, tub seats and transfer boards, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, orthotic devices; braces, custom seating, genitor-urinary and ostomy; incontinence supplies, catheters, ostomy supplies, communication devices; page turners, telephone aids, etc. environmental; room air conditioner ($500.00 lifetime maximum) computerized environmental controls.

Please note that the MS Society does not cover the cost of drugs or alternative treatments. 

Chapter Membership

Your $10 per year or $18 for 2 years membership fee entitles you to a wide range of servies including:

  • Information and referral services
  • Weekly Yoga Classes
  • Monthly Living with MS Meetings
  • Social functions such as our annual Christmas party and Volunteer Appreciation
  • Assistnace through our Equipment and Special Assistance Funding Programs
  • Publications such as Multiple Solutions, MS Ontario and MS Canada
  • Educational events

Contact Debbie Hunter at 905-668-0530 for more information and to check your membership status.

Please click here to get a copy of the Membership Form

Living with MS Group

Our Living with MS group meets the first Tuesday of each month at the chapter office which is located at 6-400 Dundas St W in Whitby from 7:00-8:30 p.m.  Our office fronts onto Kent Street which is a one way street running north from Dundas, right across from the downtown Whitby Public Library.  

All are welcome to this informal gathering and it is a wonderful opportunity to have a coffee/tea and chat with other MSer's living in the Durham community.

If you are new to the group, let us know if you're thinking of coming to a meeting and I'll let the group facilitators (Liz-Anne, Fay and Bob) know to expect you.

Upcoming Guest Speakers include:

June 4th – Kris McDonald, speaking about MS and Insurance

August 6th - Kori Kostka, B.Sc., RD Click here for Biography

October 1st – Dr. Iva Lloyd, BScH, RTE, ND  Click here for Biography

Well-Spouse Support Group

Our Well-Spouse group meets the first Tuesday of each month at the chapter office which is located at 6-400 Dundas St W in Whitby from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Our office fronts onto Kent Street which is a one way street running north from Dundas, right across from the downtown Whitby Public Library. 

If you are new to the group, let us know if you're thinking of coming to a meeting and I'll let the group facilitator (Hazel) know to expect you.

Yoga

Our chapter also holds a Yoga class every Monday morning from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian church on Cochrane Street in Whitby.  Cost is minimal (a $2 donation to the church) and all are welcome.  Be sure to bring a yoga mat or towel with you.

For more information concerning any of the above programs please contact Debbie Hunter at 905-668-0530 or through e-mail at Debbie.Hunter@mssociety.ca