Aquatics and MS

As we begin the new year, many of us will make a pledge to get more fit this year. As we heard from our PT specialist anyone with MS needs enter into an exercise routine with the supervision of a trained professional. With that said I would like to share my experience this summer with adapted aquatics.

This past summer I was able to experience a unique opportunity of an adapted aquatics class at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. As Swim for MS is a major part of MSAA’s work to enhance the quality of life of everyone affected by MS, and adapted aquatics is often a go-to complimentary wellness option for individuals those living with the MS, I was asked to take part in a local adapted aquatics class at Shepherd Center. Throughout my career, I’ve often recommended aquatic exercise for anyone looking for an exercise or social activity, but ironically I had never taken part in it myself. So on a weekday morning in mid-August, I jumped into the pool with five MS patients and got to work on some really fun and useful exercise techniques.

The class I participated in was for those considered “ambulatory patients” while a separate class for non-ambulatory patients was offered afterward. With adapted aquatics, everyone gets an opportunity in the pool!

The class began with standard stretching, and then leg strides from one end of the pool to the other, on the shallow end of course. During these initial exercises, I was able to get to know some of my fellow classmates and learn a little bit about how they were diagnosed and just what their day–to-day experiences with MS are like.

The class then picked up as we began to use underwater step-stools to exercise our leg muscles, while also utilizing balance techniques, this last exercise was one of the more challenging! . This was the point where I struggled the most. Finally, in the third portion of the class, we used water weights to exercise both our triceps and biceps. It was neat to see how water actually creates greater tension when using the weights than the fairly weightless pieces of equipment create on their own. All the while, I was making great friends of my classmates, talking to them about MSAA and some of our services and helping encourage them at any point of struggle. The look of sheer accomplishment on each class member’s face when they were able to get through an exercise they felt difficult was really inspiring!

In all, this was quite the eye opening experience. The value of these kinds of resources are incalculable. If you happen to live near an area with an MS-specific aquatic exercise class, please make sure you take advantage of it! Beyond just the wellness quotient, you get a chance to make some really good friendships as well!

For more information about aquatic exercise in your area, call contact our Client Services Department at(800)-532-7667, extension 154 or email: msquestions@mymsaa.org.

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New Swim for MS Website Launches!

It’s Finally Here!

MSAA has launced our brand-new Swim for MS website! Check it out by visiting SwimForMS.org!

If you haven’t heard, Swim for MS is a national fundraiser in which volunteers are encouraged to create their own swim challenge while recruiting online donations to support MSAA and the MS community. You can participate individually or recruit other swim enthusiasts to form a team.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

  1. Create your swim activity
  2. Set your challenge goal
  3. Recruit online donations

With our new and improved Swim for MS, you will now receive a Swim for MS Welcome Kit (coming soon) in the mail after completing your registration, which includes:

  • One Swim for MS t-shirt
  • One Swim for MS towel
  • 20 Swim for MS wristbands

To register, please go to SwimForMS.org. After you complete your registration, select Access your Participant Center Now to create your online fundraising page! To inspire you, please check out our Swim for MS Profiles for examples of how to create your Swim for MS challenge.

 

Thank you for your support, and happy swimming!

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The London 2012 Olympic Games Begin Tonight!

Celebrate the Olympics with Swim for MS

MSAA’s Swim for MS Pool Party

This Friday, July 27, the Summer Olympic Games Opening Ceremonies in London will usher in 17 days of competition among 204 countries.

Among the most exciting events to watch will be the swimming and diving events, especially with the strong team that the USA has put together. The first swimming event is scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 28.

As a great way to show your patriotism, cheer on the USA, and help support MSAA, we are encouraging volunteers to host a Swim for MS Pool Party during these next exciting two weeks of the Olympic Games.

Once signed up for your Pool Party, please be sure to take pictures and post them to MSAA’s FacebookTwitter  or YouTube  pages!

If you are looking for ideas to host an Olympic-themed Pool Party – check out MSAA’s new Pinterest Page.  You will find links to games, food, and other great tips for making your Swim for MS Pool Party a great success!

Please sign up today by visiting http://msaapoolparty.org. Go Team USA!

About Swim for MS Pool Party:

The Swim for MS Pool Party is part of MSAA’s popular Swim for MS program. It is a one-day event volunteers host in their own backyard or community pool.

To plan a Swim for MS Pool Party, volunteers first select a date, then select an activity – such as cannonballs, swimming laps or even a game of Marco Polo – and finally collect pledges from friends and family for the activity chosen.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Pick a Date,

Join the Party,

100 Days to Make A Difference!

#SwimForMS

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Welcome to MS Conversations!

MS Conversations is the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America’s new blog!

It is our hope that this blog will provide a forum for you, the MS Community, to share your triumphs & struggles, tips, resources, and much more.

We very much want this to be a blog for YOU, so please feel free to leave comments and suggest topics for us to cover in the future!

Just as a reminder that MSAA does have a terms and conditions policy for our website and blog – so be sure to review before posting any comments.

Please check back on Monday and in the coming weeks for updates on the Swim for MS Pool Party, plus more tips and shared stories!

Let’s start the conversation!

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