UNBC Multiple Sclerosis Student Support Club

RED SHIRT DAY With Colton Carrita!

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Location: UNBC Northern Undergraduate Student Centre, Room 6-250

Red Shirt Day for AccessAbility and Inclusion is when people across Canada wear red to show their support and celebrate the achievements of Canadians living with disability.

Join us to hear from our keynote speaker, Colton Carrita, a student in the Northern Medical Program and one of BC Wheelchair Basketball’s top athletes.

Light refreshments will be available.

Sponsored by SPARC, UNBC Human Resources, and the UNBC Accessibility Ambassadors Initiative.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Rheanna Robinson, Department of First Nations Studies.

Congratulations to our mentor and club advisor, Dr. Rheanna Robinson, a recipient of the 2023 University Excellence in Service Award!

As the First Nations Studies Associate Professor, Robinson has been an unwavering advocate for accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion not only at the Prince George campus but also in the wider community.

Dr. Robinson's involvement with the Multiple Sclerosis Student Support Club has been invaluable to us. With her active collaboration, we proudly hosted numbers of national webinars throughout the years for people with MS.

Let's all extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Rheanna Robinson for this well-earned recognition!

The International Progressive MS Alliance, in collaboration with MS organisations across the world, is conducting a global survey to find out how people affected by MS feel about being involved in research – including being an author of scientific publications.
Are you affected by multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Do you want people with MS to be credited for their input in research (science with patient input)?
There is growing global consensus among scientists and clinicians regarding the importance of involving people affected by MS (PaMS) in research. By sharing your experience of living with MS, this ‘experiential’ form of knowledge can be integrated with scientific knowledge and lead to better research outcomes for everyone.

Engaging PaMS in the phases of the research where their engagement is instrumental in achieving the mission and agenda of the research initiatives and making science meaningful to society.

If you are interested in taking part, please click the link here: https://web.norstatsurveys.com/survey/selfserve/53c/2307202?list=100
The survey is available in 8 languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish and Swedish.
The survey will take around 10 minutes to complete, and the deadline is 31 August 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact the research team at: [email protected]

The survey has been developed by PaMS in collaboration with the Progressive MS Alliance, the Italian MS Foundation (FISM) on behalf of the MULTI-ACT EU Project and EngageMinds HUB . The MULTI-ACT project developed a holistic management model that enables effective cooperation of all stakeholders from research to care and aims to leverage the experiences of patients and other stakeholders and increase their ability to co-create and participate in decision-making processes in healthcare research.

Repost from
The UNBC MS Student Support Club (UMSSC) has actively hosted tables and information sessions on campus to raise awareness among students and faculty members about Multiple Sclerosis.
Read more about how clubs like UMSSC have helped and hope to meet the needs of MS clients living in the North
Link available in our bio.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is pleased to announce a new partnership with SPIRIT Club. SPIRIT Club is an online gym where with a membership you can access all of their live and recorded virtual wellness, exercise and fitness programming (e.g., yoga, Zumba, fitness, meditation, nutrition, etc.).

The MS Society has secured a group membership with SPIRIT Club and by registering with us you will receive a link that will allow you to create a free membership account with SPIRIT Club, giving you access to all of their virtual programming. All of SPIRIT Clubs classes are taught by trained / certified professionals, and most are offered with multiple levels of difficulty including a seated option.

Please note this program is only available to individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an allied disease or their family caregiver. If you do not qualify for the MS Societies group membership with SPIRIT Club you can visit their website and take out your own individual membership.

All information here: https://mssociety.ca/events/1456/spirit-club?force_lang=en_CA&utm_source=divisionnews&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Programs
(Link in bio)

In honour of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Rick Hansen Foundation is hosting a live discussion on ‘The Power of Inclusive Allyship’ with allies, advocates, and people with lived experience of disability.

Each panelist brings a unique perspective on the importance an power of allyship in creating a disability inclusive future.
 
Panelists will discuss:

-The definition of allyship and its importance,
-What allyship means from a personal perspective, and
-Tangible actions we can take to become better allies with the disability community.

ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided.

Learn more from Dr. Robinson by joining The Power of Inclusive Allyship Panel on Nov. 30, 2022!
Link in our bio.

On , we celebrate the Indigenous peoples of Canada, their rich and diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions to our country and the world. We also acknowledge Indigenous persons living with Multiple Sclerosis and know that greater awareness and further attention is needed to better understand the experience of Indigenous peoples with MS and the impact on individuals, families, and Indigenous communities.

“As Indigenous peoples living with MS, we come together in our community to support one another through compassion, understanding, and care. This doesn’t just happen during our annual MS Walk in Prince George, BC, on the territory of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, but through our personal and professional commitments towards MS advocacy and outreach. Sometimes, we are privileged to do this alongside (or with) the University Hospital of Northern BC Indigenous Drum Group, where a message of health and healing is always embraced.”

- Rheanna Robinson and Ashley Provencher, Prince George, BC

Further research is needed to respectfully represent the MS experience of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The MS Society of Canada has supported this emerging area of study in the past and looks forward to future opportunities to do more of this important work, while simultaneously building relationships with Indigenous peoples, their families, and communities as we improve prevention and treatment strategies, as well as diagnosis and care.
Repost from

Building on the mantra of "Nothing about us, without us," Dr. Rheanna Robinson (pictured far right) has used UNBC's inaugural event to launch the Ambassadors Initiative (AAI).

Working in collaboration with those living with and allies, Robinson says AAI will be a purposeful space for those with voices of knowledge and lived experience to bring forward institutional accessibility , , and plans for action as we move towards a barrier-free UNBC.

Please join in celebrating

in honour of

ACCESSIBILITY IS INCLUSION

Date: Wednesday June 1st, 2022 Location: UNBC Bentley Centre, Prince George Campus

Time: 1:00-2:30 pm

Link to livestream of event (captioned):

https://unbc.zoom.us/j/68167462545?pwd-LOZYRW1GWHE4Qyt0ZFdSYI9NL1V6QT09 ID: 681 6746 2545 Passcode: 681071

Heather is an award-winning registered social worker who lives in Prince George and has worked with Spinal Cord Injury BC since 2013. She has dedicated her personal and professional time to fighting for a more accessible society for people with disabilities. Heather has many years of work and volunteer experience in the disability field and ist passionate about working towards systemic change n addition to providing case management and counselling services to individuals with spinal cord injury or related disabilities, she works to address systemic inequalities through a variety of advocacy efforts. Heather sits on two Canadian Standards Association Technical Committees on Accessibility, has led or attended many disability consultations, and provides solution based commentary to decision makers on topics relevant to disability

Light snacks and refreshments will be available from 12:30-1:00 PM, as well as interaction with various community vendors, including AccessBC and UNBC's Access Resource Centre (ARC).

Accessible parking is available in Parking Lots A, B, behind the Library and on the Ring Road at the main entrance to the library as per the map at unbc.ca/parking. Accessible parking on the Ring Road will be extended for this event. If you require accommodations for the event, please contact [email protected].

,

November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM). Created in 2015 by the [British Columbia Aboriginal Network On Disability Society (BCANDS)] celebrates the achievements and contributions Indigenous people living with disabilities make despite any barriers and challenges they may experience.

The Indigenous population in Canada is a culturally and geographically diverse group that includes First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. According to Statistics Canada’s 2017 Aboriginal Peoples Survey, Indigenous people experience a higher rate of disability than non-Indigenous Canadians. For Indigenous people living with a disability, the challenges don’t end at navigating their daily lives as they must also manage systemic discrimination and barriers when accessing healthcare and support services.

“When I was first diagnosed with MS and for years afterwards, everyone – neurologists included - kept saying to me, because I'm Métis (or mixed blood ancestry), ‘This is likely coming from your European ancestry, not from your Métis side’. So really categorizing MS as a ‘white person disease’. I’ve heard from other Indigenous people with MS that they have had similar experiences or have been told ,"You may have something other than MS because you are Indigenous.”
- Dr. Rheanna Robinson, professor at the University of Northern BC, diagnosed with MS in 1997

This , we want to address the inequities in disability support, management, treatment, and care in the Indigenous population to ensure all Canadians with MS can live a full and happy life.

Read more of Rheanna’s story and about Indigenous Disability Awareness Month in MS Society latest blog post(link available in our bio)

Repost from

As we recognize Indigenous Disability Awareness Month, First Nations Studies Assistant Professor Dr. Rheanna Robinson shares her personal story as an Indigenous mother of Métis ancestry living with multiple sclerosis. Read the full story in the Prince George Citizen. (Available in our bio)

Webinar Alert 🚨!! Interested to sit with a physiotherapist and Occupational therapist doing a joint presentation? Sign up now!

(Link in our bio)

Hello everyone!

Happy Monday, I hope you all had a great weekend.

UNBC MS Student Support Club is excited to be hosting the 3rd Northern Speaker Series event happening this upcoming Monday, November 15th at 1 pm PDT with you!

"Northern Speaker Series" is one of the UMSSC's projects in which we invite guests to educate and advocate students/faculty/community members, especially those affected by Multiple Sclerosis, about MS-related topics/needs.

In our 3rd series of Northern Speaker Series, we have invited 2 guests ❇️ Michelle McCarthy, physiotherapist and Denise Kendrick, Occupational Therapist from the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health UBC (tons of experience working with MS patients) to do a joint presentation with a Q and A at the end ❇️ (more details in the posters).

​Register here: (Link in our bio or scan the QR code on the poster) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvduyrqj8rGdTERiiuVu7OuC_yPPA8pLrl

If you have any questions or comments feel free to send a Direct message here or email us at [email protected] !

Thank you,
On behalf of UMSSC Team

Our UNBC Multiple Sclerosis Support club is having a table on one of the NUGSS CLUB days on Thursday Sep23rd from 10-12:30!

Everyone are welcome to join us to have a chat!

Covid safety protocols will be in effect and proof of vaccination will be required.

Cheers

Welcome back to another year everyone!

This semester will be kicking off with clubs day. You can stop by our table on Thursday September 23rd from
10:00am to 12:30pm to sign up!

Most of us are upper years too, so if you are looking for study tips, we are here! We look forward meeting and chatting with you☺️

Welcome back to another year everyone!

This semester will be kicking off with clubs day. You can stop by our table on Thursday September 23rd from
10:00am to 12:30pm to sign up!

Most of us are upper years too, so if you are looking for study tips, we are here! We look forward meeting and chatting with you☺️

Our 2nd Northern Speaker Series guest is
Nancy Bogle (RN, BSN) who is a highly experienced MS nurse in research and clinical settings.

There is time for Q&A at the end of the session for your questions.
Do not miss this chance !

Register using the link below:
(Available in our Bio)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpduuqpjgiHNyvH4Dz6mPMO0GsHAoDBl_8

In this talk, Nancy Bogle will give some history and context of her own
experiences as a Registered Nurse who has been supporting persons who live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), their caregivers, and families for over twenty years. She will describe how some of the research trajectories have changed and how disease modifying therapies have impacted a new path of hope and recovery for this neurodegenerative disease. She will reflect on the role of clinical trials and how innovative trends in research and discovery give promise and understanding of disease behaviour, effective treatments, and ultimately, realizing a cure for MS.

This Thursday Feb 11, 1pm PST

UNBC Wellness Centre
Counselling Services

UNBC Counselling Services will continue to operate during regular hours for the September 2020 semester. Our office will be closed to the public and appointments can be booked via telephone (250-960-6369) or email ([email protected]). 
If you have a booked appointment, your counsellor will call you at the time of your appointment.  If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to call our office.

The Counselling team is here to help UNBC students’ meet their goals as they journey through their academic life. Please read the following information on how to connect with us. 
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 12:00 noon & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Room #: 5-196
Contact #: 250-960-6369

How to Access Counselling at UNBC?
1   Call the Counselling Centre to setup an intake appointment
2   A counsellor will then meet with you over the phone
3   At the end of your appointment you will be assigned a UNBC counsellor to provide ongoing support

This post is in recognition of our amazing volunteer advisor, Dr. Rheanna Robinson. She is one of our main supporters of the UNBC MS Student Support Club and we are very lucky to have her!

Do you live in Northern BC or the Yukon? Have you been impacted by MS? The Northern BC and Yukon MS Community page has been created especially for you (see link in bio). New obstacles to connecting and increased isolation was introduced to the MS community in Northern BC during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this group is to lessen the hardship of the pandemic by connecting our communities together. This initiative was only possible through the PG MS Group and the MS Society of BC. To join and connect, click on the bio link on our Instagram page or message us and we will provide guidance. Thank you!

UNBC Research Ambassadors are hosting: Research Your Way to Success - featuring our Co-president Alanna Koopmans!

They will be discussing the value of including students in research (patient oriented care, to be exact). This will be a great place to ask questions about how you as a student can get involved in research.

Link in our instagram bio!

There will be a draw for a 10$ bookstore gift card that all attendees will be entered into as well.

Dr. Rheanna Robinson our club volunteer advisor, has recently done an interview with CBC Daybreak North - Northern British Columbia. Here is the link:

UNBC professor opens up about multiple sclerosis after living quietly with diagnosis for years | CBC News The Métis scholar was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 19 and kept it a secret until two years ago when the illness began to impact on her physical abilities. Now she's speaking out to raise public awareness about First Nations people living with this autoimmune disorder.

NORTHERN SPEAKER SERIES

-Getting down to the basics of Multiple Sclerosis research with Dr. Kendra Furber

Everyone is invited to attend the following presentation on Tuesday November 10, 2020 at 1 pm PDT via Zoom only.

We are delighted to have Dr. Kendra Furber, PhD, BSc, BA, Assistant Professor, Northern Medical Program present on:

Current topics in MS Research: Getting down to the basics

Dr. Kendra Furber will review a brief history of disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), what is known regarding the mechanism of action of different pharmaceuticals and will introduce some current topics in scientific literature with an emphasis on studies in pre-clinical animal models. Join us to learn more about recent studies about repairing damaged myelin sheath in the central nervous system and the role of oligodendrocytes.

How to attend:
(virtual session only)

You are invited to a Zoom meeting.

When: Nov 10, 2020 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsdOqrqzMiHNcaC8M4dCaKArhGfDVBvuaA

*Note that this zoom session will be recorded.*

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely, the UNBC Multiple Sclerosis Student Support Club (UMSSC).

I’m Jessica Deng,
Secretary and Treasurer MS Club. I’m in my 2nd year of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I’m from Eastern African
I love and enjoy cooking different types of foods, from Ugali, Githeri and Chapati of Kenya to Matoke of Uganda to kisra and Mulah Kombo of South Sudan to Biriyani of Tanzania and More. I also love travelling.

Darcee:
Hey I’m Darcee! I’m currently in my third year of my Bachelors of Health Sciences with a focus on community health. Parniya and I are involved in the social media aspects of the UNBC MS Support Club. Other than school I enjoy playing every and all sports (volleyball, skiing, basketball, etc.) watching movies, and playing the keyboard on Westwood’s worship team.

Parniya:
I'm Parniya, I'm volunteering to be the high school MS representer and helping with graphic things. I'm 16 and I'm in my senior year of high school at PGSS.
I enjoy rockclimbing and doing sports and i also enjoy playing piano.

Darcee:
Hey I’m Darcee! I’m currently in my third year of my Bachelors degree in Health sciences with a focus in community health. Parnyia and I work together in the social media aspect of the UNBC MS Support Club.
Some things I enjoy doing outside school includes every and all sports (skiing, volleyball, basketball, etc.) watching movies and playing the keyboard for Westwood’s worship team.

Parnyia:
I'm Parniya, I'm volunteering to be the high school MS representer and helping with graphic things. I'm 16 and I'm in my senior year of high school at PGSS.
I enjoy rockclimbing and doing sports and i also enjoy playing piano

Hey guys! my name is Behrouz Danesh, (You can just call me Bruce ) Im a 3rd year UNBC Undergrad Health Sciences student, and Im the Founder and President of UMSSC.

I enjoy helping people and community betterment is my career goal. I love meeting new people and learning new things so feel free to say hello and share a story with me .

If you have any questions (whether its club related or school related) feel free to DM me .danesh .

Hi everyone! My name is Winnie and I am the Vice President of the club for this school year. I am in my 3rd year of biomedical studies in health sciences. With an interest in neuroscience, I hope to engage with more individuals and raise awareness for MS in our community.

Aside from academics, I enjoy spending time outside with friends despite being allegeric to the sun. I also enjoy journaling and watching movies after a hefty week of school.

Get to know the amazing students and their roles in the UNBC MS Support Club! Over the next few days we will be posting these introductions so you can get to know us a bit better☺️

Katherine:
I am really excited to be part of the new MS student support club this year! I little bit about me is that I am a lifeguard and I love cooking, photography, running, and spending time with friends and family. I am passionate about healthcare volunteering and would love for you to join our club!

Alanna:
Hello! My name is Alanna. I am a fourth year student in the Health Sciences, Biomedical Studies: Honours program at UNBC. I have had the pleasure of joining a team of hard working and dedicated individuals that plan the Prince George MS Walk for the past few years. I have also volunteered with the MS Society’s Friendly Visiting Program.
I look forward to this year ahead and the activities the club and community has planned to increase awareness and promote the stories of those impacted by MS!

Meet your amazing club advisors! This is Dr. Kendra Furber, one of two club advisors for the UNBC MS Support Club. She is heavily involved in MS research and we are so thankful to have both her and Dr. Rheanna Robinson involved with our club.

MS Student Take Over Series:
To kick off our first ever take over is Kiera Jordan from Vancouver Island! We are so excited to have her discuss her experiences living with MS, answer questions, and reach out to others via our social media. Make sure you don’t miss it!

Friday (Sept 25th) from 10:30am-2:30pm

Our new and improved logo!