Living With MS
eFeature - Children
MS and Children
http://www.msif.org
If you have children and a member of the family with MS then this feature from the MS
International Federation is a must read. Dr “Sandy” Burnfield a consultant in Child, Adolescent and
family Psychiatry looks at the issues that arise when someone in the family has MS and how to try
and tackle these. The key it seems is listening and participation. But the article goes much deeper
and asks question like how it changes a relationship over time, the positive and negative impacts,
how puberty changes things and what symptoms worry children. It is an excellent feature and covers
a wide variety of issues in great detail.
Being a Father with MS
http://www.mstrust.org.uk
An amusing article with a serious undertone! We follow Gary through his attempts to discuss
his MS with his five-year-old daughter with some humorous outcomes. It is a heart-warming story
that offers gentle advice and humour.
Parent With MS, Toddler on board
http://www.nationalmssociety.org
This is a special feature from Inside MS, the American MS Society’s magazine. It
focuses on the issues a parent faces with their toddler-aged children. There are practical
hints and tips on a variety of subjects, including anti-exhaustion measures, pain management and
establishing limits. Parents and a clinical psychologist give the advice.
Online Support
CHUMS
http://www.chumsweb.org
The Children’s Hope for Understanding MS is the only MS based non-profit organisation in the
U.S. that focuses on supporting a child’s need to understand the disease when an adult in their
lives having MS affects them. It offers communication techniques and activities to promote better
understanding. The activities area offers ways to simulate various symptoms of MS. There is also a
section on MS the disease as well as a message board for more ideas.
Let’s Talk MS – for Kids
http://www.msforkids.com
A character called ‘Myelin’ who aims to help children learn about Multiple Sclerosis and make
sure they have fun too introduces the site. There is an explanation of MS, how it can make you
feel, answers to scary questions and a look at the people who help care for someone with MS, such
as a nurse or neurologist. A glossary, games, message board and chat room are also included on the
site.
Let’s Talk MS – For Teenagers
www.msforteens.com
The aim of this site is for teenagers who are living with MS to learn about the disease and
also communicate with other teens in a similar situation. Therefore there is a message board, chat
room, a description of MS and personal stories from subscribers. But there is also sections on how
finding out a parent has MS makes you feel and how to cope with these feelings and the subsequent
changes. Through its articles it encourages teenagers to communicate and offers other ways to find
support.
Books, magazines and pamphlets
The Young Person's Guide to MS
http://www.mstrust.org.uk
This is a new booklet produced by the MS Trust aimed at young people, aged 10 - 15, who have
a parent with MS. It aims to answer some questions they may have and offers advice on coping
with a parent with MS.
Keep Smyelin
http://www.nationalmssociety.org
A newsletter for children about MS from the American MS Society. Each monthly issue of this
bright newsletter focuses on a different subject such as Feelings and MS, Family Changes, Healthy
Families, and Fatigue. As this is aimed at children there are games, stories and cartoons. There is
also a parents' pullout section that helps you to use the newsletter to discuss the issues which
surround that subject.
Teen InsideMS
www.nationalmssociety.org
This is the magazine from the American MS Society that is aimed at teenagers. Each issue
focuses on a different topic, such as exercise, photography and family issues. You can view the
articles online or download it (PDF).
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