Patients Living With MS
You have MS. Now what. The bills still need to get paid, the meals made, the kids driven to school, the homework done, the lawn mowed, daily life to plan and live. And the variable nature of this disease will mean that you may come back to this section a little more often as the course of your MS changes over time, but here are some resources to help you maneuver through the agencies, products and services that are available. There are many more than what are listed here. This is a starting point.
Find out about Patient Assistance Programs for Prescriptions:
This site provides information on assistance programs available for disease modifying therapies, as well as for treating relapses and symptom management. Prescription Assistance Programs
Increasing Accessibility/Assistive Technology:
The National MS Society has put out a comprehensive article on solutions and resources you can pursue to maintain and increase accessibility of the course of your time with MS, Increasing Accessibility.
Our local support group leaders and MSAV staff have contacts with mobility device providers in the area and can help direct you to providers of assistive technology that will help keep you fully mobile and engaged in all aspects of daily life. We also have a mobility device loaner closet in our MSAV office, so do not hesitate to contact our office (540) 404-2243 to find out if we have equipment that can meet your needs.
Disability:
A Guidebook for Private Disability Insurance Claims: A Guide for People with MS: This takes you through long-term private disability insurance and how it works in concert with Social Security Disability.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits: A Guidebook for People with MS: Social Security is an arduous process, and can be discouraging. The good thing to know is that you can bring a social security lawyer on board right at the beginning, and they only get paid a percentage if you successfully get benefits, so it behooves them to win those benefits for you. And, you almost always get turned down the first time, so be prepared for a bit of a trip through the system.
Career Training, Education, Rights:
Career changes can become one of the most grueling decisions we are forced to make. Should we leave, when is the right time, will we be forced out. There are a lot of personal factors to consider in our home lives as we juggle that decision as well. This decision is as individualized as the MS disease itself. The following article walks you through how to think about employment issues, the career continuum and hopefully gives you clarity in any decision you need to make.