The New York City - Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society provides hundreds of annual programs and services to empower and support people living with MS, their friends and families in the five boroughs and Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties. Many of them are listed below.
Advocacy
The chapter's advocacy efforts on the city, county and state level include disability issues such as public paratransit service, Medicaid, Medicare, insurance and healthcare legislation.
Ask the Chapter
Join the knowledgeable staff of our Chapter Programs and Services Department for informal monthly lunchtime chats.
Cafe con Leche
Conversación y Apoyo para Personas con la Esclerosis Múltiple (EM)
Care Management
The goal of care management is to help those people living with MS who need more than information and counsel to manage the effects of the disease on their lives.
Chapter Calendar of Programs and Events
Chapter Programs and Services Staff Listing
Children and Teens of Parents with MS
Children and teens of parents with MS interact with each other to understand MS in simple, fun and creative ways.
Counseling
Programs to help people cope with the daily challenges of living with MS. Counseling services are offered in individual and group settings and range from in-person to telephone groups to peer counseling.
Crisis Assistance
Important crisis assistance for members with limited financial resources, the uninsured and the underinsured.
Education and Awareness
Lectures, seminars and educational programs for people with MS, their families, healthcare professionals and the general public.
Employment
Programs that address concerns regarding current employment situations or job searches.
Equipment Loan
Members may apply (based on availability) for a manual wheelchair, power wheelchair or scooter through this short-term loan program. The program also accepts donations of mobility products that are in good working condition and less than three years old.
Field Day
A “hands-on day" that promotes health & wellness in the community.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance toward the purchase of durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, scooters, shower benches, etc.) is available if a member’s insurance carrier has denied coverage or if funding is prohibitive.
Ice Skating & Ask the Expert - Just for Kids
A free day of ice skating for children ages 6-16 who have a parent or relative living with MS.
In-Person and Telephone Support Groups
Support groups for individuals with MS as well as their families and caregivers.
Information and Referrals
Staffed by chapter members, volunteers and staff who are trained to provide infomation and referrals, the Information Resource Center offers a wealth of useful electronic and published information about MS.
Janet Pearce MS Advanced Nurse Training Program
Job Readiness Program for People Living with MS
Legal Day Open House
Attorneys and financial planners will be available at the chapter’s office to provide free half-hour consultations in nine subject areas: Social Security benefits, job discrimination, housing discrimination, matrimonial law, wills, disability insurance claims, general financial planning, planning for Medicaid, and bankruptcy.
Moving Forward: An Educational Program for People Newly Diagnosed with MS
Recreation and Fitness
Free recreation and fitness programs for people living with MS.
Self-Help Groups
Self-help groups bring together people who share a common life experience for support, education and mutual aid.
Transportation Services
The chapter provides transportation to medical appointments. Requests must be made at least one week prior to the medical appointment and up to three round-trips are available per person within one year.