Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society Canterbury Incorporated

The South Canterbury Multiple Sclerosis Society is a non-profit organisation that provides support education and advocacy for people with MS their family, whanau and all of their support networks including work colleagues. We foster and encourage the creation of opportunities for people with MS to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of life. The Society provides a range of resources about MS including booklets on particular symptoms and treatments, a lending library and a quarterly newsletter, social groups, home visits and support with appointment and other meetings. A lot of time is spent supporting clients with health issues, this could be around specialist appointments or sitting with them while they undergo treatments. There are a number of new treatments provided by Pharmac and we as a society lobby for these treatments to be available, and for the criteria’s to be lowered so more PWMS can be involved. These services are delivered in the south Canterbury region by one field worker to the over 125 clients that she attends to. Our office is in Community House Timaru.