Program Notes
MSAA’s Vital Programs and Services Improve Lives Today
By Susan Wells Courtney
MSAA’s Toll-Free Helpline
Do you have questions about MS, its symptoms, or its treatments? Each year, several thousand members of the MS community reach out to MSAA’s trained and experienced Client Services Specialists to ask questions, learn about helpful resources, or to find comfort and reassurance with whatever challenges or concerns they may be experiencing.
If you are in need of assistance, please contact MSAA’s Helpline via phone or email. Helpline hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM (ET). We invite you to call our toll-free number at (800) 532-7667, ext. 154 or connect with our Helpline Specialists through email at MSQuestions@mymsaa.org.
To reach a Spanish-speaking Client Services Specialist, please call (800) 532-7667, extension 131. Para comunicarse con un Especialista de Servicios al Cliente que habla español, llame al (800) 532-7667, extensión 131 o envíe un correo electrónico a MSquestions@mymsaa.org. El horario de la línea de ayuda es de lunes a viernes, de 8:30 AM a 8:00 PM, hora del este.
Equipment Distribution Program
Equipment designed for mobility, safety, and comfort can greatly improve quality of life and enhance activities of daily living. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the equipment needed, and cost can often play a role. If this is the case, MSAA’s Equipment Distribution Program may be the answer. This program offers products designed to improve safety and mobility while also providing greater opportunities for exercise and wellness. MSAA distributes these products at no charge to individuals with MS who qualify for assistance, and items are shipped directly to the client.
Products provided through the program range from grab bars, shower chairs, and walkers, to wide-grip utensil sets and yoga mats. Please visit mymsaa.org/equipment for more information.
MSAA’s Informative Videos, Webinars, and Podcasts
At MSAA, we know that providing urgent information on a wide range of topics – from diagnosis and treatments to healthy lifestyles and family relationships – is critical to the health and well-being of the entire MS community. MSAA conveniently provides this information through videos, live and recorded webinars, as well as podcast episodes, all featuring MS healthcare professionals.
MSAA’s digital educational programs are free and available on our website. Some of our recent recorded webinar topics include brain health and MS, managing stress with MS to improve mental well-being, living with MS as an LGBTQ+ person, and aging with MS.
To access these programs, please visit:
- Videos and webinars: mymsaa.org/videos
- Podcasts: mymsaa.org/podcasts (or search for “MSAA Podcast” on any major podcast distributor)
- To view our schedule and to register for any upcoming programs, please visit our calendar of events at mymsaa.org/calendar
My MSAA Community Online Forum
My MSAA Community is a free peer-to-peer online forum (hosted by HealthUnlocked.com) for individuals with MS, their families, and their care partners to share information and their experiences with multiple sclerosis. As a member of this friendly, supportive, and safe online community, you can:
- connect with other people affected by MS
- contribute to ongoing conversations
- start your own conversation with a question or a post about your journey
To join our online community, please visit healthunlocked.com/mymsaa.
Stay on Track with My MS Manager™
My MS Manager™ is MSAA’s mobile phone application, provided free of charge to individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) or their care partner to use on their Apple iOS or Android mobile device. Developed in conjunction with @Point of Care, My MS Manager offers individuals a convenient and effective tool to easily track symptoms, access helpful MS information, connect with one’s healthcare team, and more.
My MS Manager includes several features such as:
- Journal for logging symptoms, blood pressure and weight, physical activity, and personal notes.
- Health measurement scales that track fatigue, depression, bladder patterns, and cognitive abilities.
- Option to connect with one’s healthcare professionals to securely share medical progress and reports.
- Educational resources from MSAA within the Learning Center of the app
- And more!
For information about the My MS Manager app, please visit mymsaa.org/mobile.
MRI Access Program
Do you need financial assistance to help pay for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – either in the near future or one already done within the past six months? MSAA’s MRI Access Program assists with the payment of cranial (brain) and c-spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to individuals meeting eligibility requirements.
Assistance is provided to qualified individuals who have no medical insurance or cannot afford their insurance costs and require an MRI to help determine a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or evaluate current MS disease progression. Please visit mymsaa.org/MRI or call (800) 532-7667, extension 142 for more information.