The Sequim MS (multiple sclerosis) Support Group meets once a month and offers fellowship, education and the relief that comes from being with others who understand living with this disease, according to attendees at their recent holiday meeting.
“We’re all in a situation where it’s good to have some support,” one member said, summarizing what seemed to be a group sentiment. “We all come from different walks of life and have different health issues but we understand each other.”
MS is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, resulting in what attendees explained are a variety of symptoms.
“It is called the snowflake disease, because everyone is different,” said co-facilitator Susan Hedding, who joined in 2013. “I’ve never met anyone that walks the same way I walk; we are all unique.”
Jill Osborn said, “We like to say we’re the ministry of silly walks,” referring to the Monty Python sketch, “because it’s funny and we like to make fun of ourselves.” Osborn is a former nurse who has been coming to meetings since 2017.
“We have no choice but to keep our sense of humor,” others explained.
The monthly meetings “are divided into a volunteer speaker on a topic and time to fellowship as a group sitting around the table – time to be human,” said Hedding.
Since the founding of the group, members have received a monthly newsletter, containing curated medical information from supporting organizations, currently put together by co-facilitator and published author Diane Reaves,
Hedding and other members were careful to clarify that the only medical advice they offer is that which comes from the two national organizations that support their group: the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.
The group welcomes anyone living with MS, their family and caregivers to attend group meetings held from 3-5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month in the Community Room at KSQM 91.5 FM’s headquarters, 609 W. Washington St., in the Sequim Village Shopping Center.
Speakers
“We have a different speaker every month that spends time talking about what’s important to those of us with MS,” said Kelly St. Claire. “We’re very appreciative.”
Upcoming topics and speakers planned for 2025 are: “Pets as Support,” Kisuri St. Claire (January); “Assistive Home and Auto Maintenance,” Linda Plenert (February); “CPR Training from Sequim Fire Department,” Wendy Valentine (March); “How to Benefit from Our New Library,” Susan Hedding (April); and “Soroptimist Closet Resource,” Dani Goulding (May).
Proposed speakers can change as the group seeks local experts in many fields, Hedding said.
Recent topics have included palliative care, assistive garden tools, assistive cooling products, balance issues for those with MS, water exercise for those with MS, MS and depression, good health through nutrition, and “Pushing through obstacles to reach your dreams,” presented by Susan Simons, a Canadian swimmer with MS who swam from Victoria to Port Angeles in a bathing suit. Simons is an activist and inspirational speaker and writer. Information about her can be found at https://susansimmons.ca/.
History
The Sequim MS Support group began meeting in early 2011 in the conference room of the Sequim Library, according to Hedding.
The group grew and moved to a large conference room in the OMC medical building on Fifth Avenue in Sequim where they met until their gatherings were paused by COVID-19. At that point there were more than 25 members, said Hedding.
In May 2023 the group restarted in-person meetings in the KSQM conference room.
Hedding said that attendance dropped after COVID, with about six to nine people showing up currently, although the newsletter is sent to a larger group.
“When the group could not meet in person, the newsletter added bios of all the members to keep the relationships strong,” said Hedding.
Hedding said that the monthly meeting is a great launching pad for friendship and fellowship.
Wendy Valentine said, “I just moved here a year ago, and it’s been great for me to make new friends.”
She explained that there is a baseline of understanding within the group. “They understand if I can’t make it to something at the last minute due to being tired.”
Valentine said she was diagnosed in 2005. “It took a long time,” she said, noting that after diagnosis her experience with the disease was traced back to 1988.
“It’s a difficult to diagnose disease,” said Hedding.
The meetings, she said, are a place “to speak freely as a person with MS.”
“We’re stronger together,” said Dani Goulding.
The MS Support group can be found on Facebook as Sequim MS Warriors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527939053504991/
Inquiries can be emailed to: susandpaul@outlook.com
