I first learned of the AMSC through my childhood friend, who was diagnosed just after we graduated highschool in 1992. The AMSC has proven to be a wonderful experience for her as well as me. There is a support group that meets monthly, and the AMSC has many social functions to get MS people together. There are also exercise programs designed especially for people living with MS. All of this is possible on a very small budget due to active volunteers. There is also an extensive library with various literature on the nature of MS, how to live with it, and information about the different drugs available to MS patients. The AMSC gives their clients help and hope for a better way of living with MS.
This charity is a by the members and for the members organization. All people with Ms are welcome to join and even those with other neurolgical disorders have joined in the fun. We promote a better quality of life by teaching classes in strategies to deal with the condition, invite speakers with great knowlege and experience in the field to give informative talks on the various symptoms of the disease and therapies available. We have all kinds of fun programs that are adapted to the needs of MS sufferers, such as horseback riding, yoga, masssage, chair exercises a swimming program and others. We have art therapy classes like water color painting and life boards with collages. It's also a wonderful place to meet for support group or a tea party and other social events with others who are similarly effected by this disease. Our library is full of information and there is wonderful peer support available. I really enjoy the time I spend there and Know that it greatly imroves my quality of life.
The Alaska MS Center is a place of compassion, support and inspiration to everyone who walks in the door or calls on the phone! The atmosphere amongst the board members is one of trying to do the best they can for all Alaskans living with MS, their co-operation with other community organizations striving to support the same goals is exemplary and their dedication in volunteering hours at home retruning personal emails, providing exercise and health and wellness programs thru the community, and their endless forays to health fairs to help educate the people of Alaska as to the nature of the disease and the treatments available is astounding!