Client Services - Events
Events/Initiatives | Outcomes | Projects Under Consideration
| 2008-2009 Rural MS Awareness & Outreach Events/Initiatives |
Locations |
Date |
Locations |
Date |
Cold Lake |
Sept. 29 |
Leaders in Rehab Conf (Edm) |
March 19,20 |
Wainwright |
Oct. 16 |
Camrose |
April 1 |
Pincher Creek |
Oct. 21 |
Vulcan |
April 3 |
Battle River (Wainwright) |
Oct. 24 |
St. Albert |
April 7 |
Edmonton
(Fed AB Gas Conf) |
Dec. 1,2 |
Stony Plain |
May 1 |
Didsbury |
Jan. 21 |
Parkland County
(Stony Plain) |
May 9 |
Edmonton (AFREA Conf) |
Feb. 18,19 |
|
|
Spring 2009 Confirmed Events
The following are confirmed events for May and June 2009
St Paul (May 28), Hinton (June 3, June 19), Peace River (June 12)
Fall 2009 Future Events
The following locations are scheduled to have MS Awareness Day Events this fall (all dates TBA): Yellowknife, Grande Prairie, Sherwood Park, and Banff/Canmore.
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New Initiatives
To be a leader in creating impactful and unique events that empowers and enables MS community members to be advocates in their community.
- Rural Albertans in the Battle River area who are living with multiple sclerosis are able to attend a MS clinic run by Edmonton neurologist Dr. Ken Makus. 12 patients receive care and consultation. For many of them this is their first visit with a neurologist in years.
- Municipal politicians proclaim May as MS Awareness Month and accept an MS Challenge of navigating their downtown in wheelchairs. This event creates awareness in the community and inspires advocacy at the municipal level. (Stony Plain)
Health Professional Relationships/Partnerships
Providing much needed information to health professionals who work with MS patients.
- Attend National Conference for Occupational and Physical Therapists in Edmonton. Promotion of MS Active Now, distribution of current MS literature. Meaningful conversation with therapists around exercise initiatives and current research.
- Working in partnerships with regional Primary Care Network social workers (Didsbury and Vulcan), family physicians’ (St Albert) and community neurologists (Wainwright). Health Professionals made aware of excellent support and, services and resources the MS Society provides.
- Presentations to health professionals in rural settings. Providing excellent resources and information to assist health professionals with their MS clients. (Wainwright, Battle River, Didsbury, Camrose, Vulcan, St. Albert).
Development of the MS Ambassador Program
Engaging current and identifying potential MS Ambassadors and rural volunteers.
- MS Ambassadors take the lead in rural events in Wainwright, Cold Lake and Vulcan, AB. Allowing Ambassadors to increase their skill base in event planning, organizing, and communication and greater knowledge their communities.
- Working with MS Support groups and individuals help to identify potential MS Ambassadors. These relationships help build trust with the Society and give confidence to initiate more awareness and advocacy. (St. Albert, Stony Plain)
Clients: Our Core and Focus
Reaching out to persons affected by MS, learning more about their stories and needs.
- Experienced health professionals listening to the cares and concerns of MS clients in rural communities. (Didsbury, St. Albert, Wainwright)
- Long term care patients visited by health professionals in rural areas. (Battle River)
- Providing Information for the newly diagnosed or with a personal interest in MS (St. Albert)
Media Awareness
Creating awareness through coverage in rural Alberta media.
- Newspaper article on MS Awareness Month in May. (Stony Plain)
- Coverage of Community Presentations by Health Professional and MS Society (Wainwright, Vulcan)
- Radio Interviews with local Health Professionals (Didsbury)
Use of Funds & Recognition
Responsible and accountable use of funding dollars while acknowledging our partnership with Alberta Federation Gas Co-ops Ltd. and AFREA.
- Funds help offset cost of dedicated position to rural awareness, including travel costs.
- Logos representing both organizations display prominently on all communication materials.
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| Vision 2010 (Projects Under Consideration) |
- Develop and launch a lunch and learn series to offer rural Primary Care Networks in Alberta
- Identify underserviced areas of rural Alberta and plan and impalement an MS Awareness Day.
- Expand and develop our working relationship with our Regional Chapters in order to assist in the delivery of awareness pieces to their new service areas.
- Create new awareness pieces that would tour rural Alberta communities and high schools across the province.
- Continue to work with the MS Ambassador program to create new opportunities to expand their skill base and help identify potential MS Ambassadors.
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