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Multiple Sclerosis Assistance Fund
For more information about the Direct Assistance Fund, to apply, or to find out how you can
make a donation, call 1-800-FIGHT MS.
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Did you know it costs an estimated
$50,000 each year, with a
lifetime cost of more than $3.2
million, to pay for the medications, medical
equipment, therapy and other costs
associated with treating multiple sclerosis?
For many, the out-of-pocket costs associated
with treating MS can pose a significant,
sometimes insurmountable,
financial hardship - one that often
means patients can't afford all the care
they need.
Assistance is available - if you're willing
to advocate for yourself. Take it from
Jenny.
Diagnosed at age 25, Jenny has lived
with MS for 15 years. Today, her symptoms
have progressed and, with limited
mobility, she has determined that she
needs a scooter to get around.
Determining how to pay for the scooter,
however, was another story. After contacting
several providers, Jenny was
shocked at how expensive scooters
were to purchase. With her limited
income and the cost of her disease, she
couldn't afford to buy one.
Jenny was faced with a decision: give
up on accessing a scooter, stay at
home, rely on others to get to appointments
and quit her part-time job. OR,
keep fighting to protect her independence.
Jenny chose to fight. She learned about
the Direct Assistance program offered
by the National MS Society, Greater
Illinois Chapter. By accessing support
from the program's coordinator, she
learned about additional resources
available through insurance and other
sources.
She continued to work with her doctor
and physical therapist to secure the prescription
and evaluation needed to
secure durable medical equipment from
a vendor.
Thanks to the Direct Assistance
Program, she could access the funds to
cover the co-pay for her new scooter. It
didn't happen overnight and the process
wasn't without its share of frustrations,
but because she stuck with it, today
Jenny has her scooter - and the ability
to stay active in her community.
You can be an advocate for yourself as
well. If you have financial needs related
to your MS, contact the Chapter's Direct
Assistance program for help. No one
should go without the services they
need to stay healthy and active.
You can also be an advocate for others
by supporting the Direct Assistance program.
The program is funded through
the State Income Tax Check Off program.
You can donate to the Multiple
Sclerosis Fund when you file your
Illinois Income taxes or you can donate
by calling the Chapter at 1-800-FIGHT MS.
Link to Direct Assistance on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Greater Illinois Chapter Web Site.
Services covered include:
- Counseling: Sessions with a psychologist
or social worker
- Respite Care: Short term care for persons
living with MS (either in home or at an outside
care facility)
- Transportation: Arranged rides for medical
appointments or support groups when
other transportation is not available
- Durable Medical Equipment: Assistive
technology such as wheelchairs, scooters,
and bathroom equipment
- Care Management: Consultations with a
case manager to help secure social security
benefits, subsidized housing, or other assistance
- Incontinence Supplies: Incontinence supplies
delivered directly to a client’s home
- Homecare: Temporary in-home companion
care, personal attendant, or nursing
services
- Home Modifications: Minor home modifications
for increased accessibility
- Vehicle Modifications
- Cooling Aides:
- Physical & Occupational Therapy:
Questions? Call 1-800 FIGHT MS or log
onto
www.msillinois.org
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