Connections Oct 09.indd - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Connections
A newsletter connecting Albertans who want to end MS • www.mssociety.ca/alberta
Fall 2009
On August 27th, the MS Society of
Canada, with national partner A&W,
was Cruisin’ for a Cause. A&W
restaurants from coast-to-coast donated
$1 from the sale of every Teen Burger
to the MS Society. Final results aren’t in yet, but
indications are it was a success right across the country.
From Left - Neil Pierce, President,
Alberta Division, MS Society; Ken
Mayhew, Chief Development Offi cer,
MS Society; Brian Goheen, President,
Chiro Foods; Doug Elniski, MLA
Edmonton-Calder; Paul Hollands,
President and CEO of A&W Food
Services of Canada Ltd.

MS Connections is published quarterly
by the MS Society of Canada, Alberta
Division. It is intended to provide news and
information for Albertans with MS, their
families, caregivers, medical professionals
and other stakeholders. The information
and opinions contained in this newsletter
are obtained from sources believed to
be reliable, but their accuracy cannot be
guaranteed. We value your comments,
feedback and reprint requests—please
email them to info.alberta@mssociety.ca
or call us at the numbers listed below.
MS Society of Canada
Alberta Division
Managing Editor, Darrel Gregory
darrel.gregory@mssociety.ca
Editor, Angie Wight
angie.wight@mssociety.ca
2008/2009
Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Board Chair: Suzanne Deschamps
Vice Chair: James Orr
Treasurer: Dustin Sundby
Secretary: Lesley Turnbull
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE
Helen Chesterman
Darrel Frisken
Judy Gordon
Carey Mogdan
Kevin O’Neil
Joan Ozirny
Lynne Sangster
Doreen Saunderson
Ron Wickman
Our Mission
To be a leader in finding a
cure for multiple sclerosis and
enabling people affected by MS
to enhance their quality of life.
Contact Us
#150, 9405 - 50 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2T4
Phone: (780) 463-1190
Toll-free: 1-800-268-7582
Fax: (780) 479-1001
Email: info.alberta@mssociety.ca
www.mssociety.ca/alberta
2 MS Connections Fall 2009
Seizing the Momentum
Neil Pierce, President, Alberta Division
Seizing the Momentum is the theme of
this year’s Annual General Meeting and
Annual Awards Banquet in Calgary, which
the Alberta Division is co-hosting with the
Calgary Chapter on November 7, 2009.
I chose to speak to this now to provide
a sneak preview of the story behind this
year’s theme.
The Board of Directors met for a strategic
planning retreat on October 3, 2009
to review the success of the current
strategic plan entitled Reaching Out & Partnering for Success and to update this plan to
reflect new and emerging priorities in Alberta. An important part of this exercise is
to align Alberta plans with the directions of the National MS Society and those of our
colleagues across the country.
It’s critically important for Directors of the MS Society to regularly review the success
of strategic plans. From my perspective as President of the organization, I welcome
this review because we are facing many new issues and ways of doing business since
the plan was developed just over three years ago. It’s important for the Board to
identify the critical issues and strategic directions that will form the mandate of the
President, management, staff and volunteers of the Society.
As I near the end of my initial five-year contract with the Society, I feel very good
about our accomplishments as an organization. I believe we’ve reached the pinnacle
of success as we reflect on the number of strategic objectives that were achieved.
Some of the highlights for me include: an increase in the annual budgeted revenue of
nearly 40 percent since 2005; increased investment in research; expanding innovative
client services; increased awareness of our cause; and working collaboratively
with our friends in government, business, and the community. The strategic review
provides a great opportunity to renew organizational priorities and commitments.
Two such opportunities that I have tried to herald include the creation of a provincial
MS Strategy for Albertans affected by MS who are quite underserved compared to
others like Heart & Stroke, Cancer, Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Brain
Injury. Then there is the MS Ambassadors Program which provides an important
vehicle for more people to become involved in helping us to influence the adoption of
such a strategy along with other important roles like raising funds and awareness.
So as we roll out a revised strategic plan in Alberta, there’s no doubt in my mind that
reaching out and partnering for success will continue to be a primary focus. I invite
you to join with us and Sieze the Momentum — together we will accomplish great
things for all Albertans affected by MS. The possibilities are endless.

Congratulations to
our Alberta
Scholarship Winners!
The MS Society’s Scholarship Program, supported by Billy Talent
and Friends, helps students who have MS or have a parent with
MS to attend post-secondary school. Congratulations to the
winners from Alberta who received a scholarship this year.
For anyone who would like to submit an application for the next
scholarship competition, applications will be accepted commencing
January 2010 with funds being distributed in early 2010.
We are very
pleased to
announce that our beloved Read-A-Thon
friend, Bosko, may be coming to your
school! Bosko is our new mascot and to
celebrate his arrival in Alberta we’ll be
hitting the road and making appearances
in schools throughout the province.
Bosko originates from Australia. Not
knowing what to call the new furry friend,
a competition was held and a clever 11year-old,
Aleisha, came up with Bosko
because, “it has all the letters of the word
BOOKS in it, which is what MS Read-A-
Thon is all about.”
Bosko loves reading books more than
anything in the world, and, of course, he’s
a HUGE fan of the MS Read-A-Thon!
For more information about where
Bosko is making appearances, contact
Anna Stephen
Devon, AB
Sherri Taylor at 780-463-1190 or by
email at sherri.taylor@mssociety.ca.
You can also see a list of locations
that Bosko will visit on our Facebook
Michael Marko
Lac la Biche, AB
Ciaran Geaney
Calgary, AB
Kimberly Wasylenchuk
Stony Plain, AB
Bosko May Be Coming
To Your School!
page! Search for MS Read-A-Thon –
Alberta and check our upcoming events
list to see if Bosko is coming to a school
near you!
MS Connections Fall 2009 3

Woman with MS trains service dogs
Many people have heard of
Seeing Eye Dogs that help
people who are blind, but
Joanne Free of Sherwood Park has trained
Assistance Dogs, which help her cope
with many of her MS symptoms. “Dogs
can help do a lot of things that people
can’t do for themselves,” said Joanne.
“Anybody can train dogs if they love dogs,
know what they’re doing and have the
“My dogs allow me to
stay home alone a lot
of the time. I know that
they will hit my button
if anything were to
happen.”
patience to teach them.”
Before her diagnosis, Joanne trained
Siberian Huskies and Basenjis for
obedience competitions. But after she
was diagnosed in 1990 at the age of 27,
she started thinking about selecting a
breed that could not only compete, but
could also perform service work.
She began training Tie, a male
Australian Shepherd, for competition,
but also to do things that she thought
might help her in the coming years.
Things like getting the remote, picking
things off the floor, helping with laundry,
opening doors, taking off socks or
jackets, and the most important of all,
hitting the emergency button should
Joanne need help.
Since Tie is now getting old, Joanne
adopted a black female mixed breed
named Cash to take over some of the
tasks that Tie performs. “My dogs allow
me to stay home alone a lot of the time.
I know that they will hit my button if
anything were to happen.” In order to
make sure her emergency command
isn’t overheard in everyday conversation,
Joanne uses a German word — “jetzt” —
meaning now.
4 MS Connections Fall 2009
See Joanne’s dogs in action at:
www.mssociety.ca/alberta/video.html.
Joanne Free with her faithful friend Tie. Diagnosed with MS at 27, Joanne has
trained her companion to help with laundry, open doors, remove socks or jackets,
and even get the remote.
Joanne has two service dogs,
Cash and Tie, and she kiddingly calls
the Basenjis her disservice dogs! The
Siberian Huskies run on her husband’s
recreational dog sled team. Joanne is
very active in dog rescue and most of
their dogs are rescue dogs that they’ve
adopted.
Golf tournament benefits MS Society
Representatives of the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops Ltd. and the Alberta
Federation of Rural Electrification Associations (AFREA) are seen here
holding a cheque made out to the MS Society of Canada – Alberta Division for
$25,000! Thank you for your generous donation!

Cattlewomen for a Cure
The Southeastern Alberta Chapter
of the MS Society was fortunate
this year to be the charity of
choice for the Canadian Cattlewomen’s
annual golf tournament held in Medicine
Hat. Held on August 17, the tournament
brought together cattlewomen from
Western Canada for a great day of golfing
and socializing – along with yummy food
and awesome gift bags and silent auction
items. “Our staff and volunteers had a
great time with these awesome ladies
and we truly appreciate being chosen
as the recipient of these funds,” said
Cheryl Cowling, Executive Director of the
Southeastern Alberta Chapter. This year’s
tournament raised $46,000 (a new
record for these ladies) for the Chapter to
support client programs and help support
crucial MS research.
Alberta Division Receives
Community Spirit Grant
The Community Spirit Program was
launched on April 30, 2007, and
is funded by the Alberta Lottery Fund.
The program is entirely donor-driven,
entitling Albertans to decide where
they want their money to go, as long as
it is improving quality of life in Alberta
communities. In May, 2009, the MS
Society - Alberta Division received a
cheque for $25,000 from this program
to support the continuing work of the
MS Ambassador Program. The MS
Ambassador Program was developed to
The organizing committee of the Cattlewomen for a Cure golf tournament present
Cheryl Cowling, Executive Director of the Southeastern Chapter of the MS Society
of Canada, with a cheque for $44,745!
increase awareness of MS and the MS
Society.
“We would like to thank the Alberta
Government and in particular the
Ministry of Culture and Community
Spirit for this funding,” said Julie
Kelndorfer, Director of Government
and Community Relations with the MS
Society – Alberta Division. “Over 80 MS
Ambassadors from across the province
are empowered to make a difference
in their communities and this funding
supports their efforts.”
The MS Society of Canada –
Alberta Division is inviting you
to “Be Green!” You can view
our newsletter online at www.
mssociety.ca/alberta under the
“Publications” heading. If you
would like to opt out of paper
delivery please email
angie.wight@mssociety.ca.
MS Connections Fall 2009 5

My
MS
A personal account of one person’s
challenge living with MS
Don Retson
Edmonton, AB
In 1982 I was working at a
supermarket tabloid, writing wacky
stories about Bigfoot sightings and
deadly new diseases that were baffling
America’s top medical brains.
One day I remarked to a work
colleague that I was experiencing
something as bizarre as some of the
outlandish fiction we used to write.
Days earlier, I began noticing strange
pins and needles feelings in my lower
legs. Now I was numb from the neck
down.
Fortunately for me, my work
colleague also happened to be a
medical intern. He arranged to get me
into hospital where various specialists
probed and prodded. In my several
days in hospital I got a battery of tests,
though none of them resulted in a
diagnosis. It might be this; it might be
that. It might return; it might not. On
the plus side, the numbness gradually
dissipated. I was delighted to put the
matter behind me.
Flash forward to Edmonton in
2000. The numbness I experienced
in 1982 returned. This time, thanks
to advances in medical science, an
MRI confirmed what my neurologist
suspected. I had relapsing remitting
multiple sclerosis.
Later that day I returned to the
Edmonton Journal where I worked as a
reporter. Strangely, I felt quite upbeat.
Just knowing what I had was a big relief.
I even wrote a note to my boss saying
that this “MS thing” shouldn’t be a
6 MS Connections Fall 2009
Story
problem as long as I paced myself. But
pacing oneself is easier said than done in
a newsroom.
It didn’t take long to realize that I
needed to make changes in my work
routine. The moment of truth came one
weekend evening at the Journal copy
room. A photographer phoned to tell
me that a car had inexplicably plunged
off the road just north of the Capilano
Sometimes...risk can be
as simple as reaching
out for help. That’s what
I did.
Bridge. Although the car was a write-off,
the driver seemed OK.
Minutes later I was running down
bicycle paths trying to locate the car. By
the time I made it down the hill to where
the car was, I looked up and saw that
the driver, an elderly woman, was being
assisted to a waiting ambulance at the
top of the hill.
Despite having only partial feeling
in my legs and feet, I managed to crawl
over a chain-link fence and then climbed
back up the hill. Luckily, I managed to
reach the woman in time to get the all
important “I’m lucky just to be alive”
quote.
Later I reflected how crazy it was
for me to be chasing around in dense
underbrush where my feet couldn’t
even feel the ground beneath me. Still, I
carried on as if nothing happened. Then
I read in a local MS publication about
Don Retson hopes his story will serve
as a bridge to help others find the
courage to ask for help.
another local media guy with MS. For
some reason, his workplace couldn’t
or wouldn’t accommodate a change
in his work duties and his illness got
progressively worse. The article was the
wake-up call that I needed.
I visited the local chapter of the
MS Society and read everything I could
get my hands on. I also registered for a
six-week MS:IS program where people
who’ve been recently diagnosed get
a solid primer about MS. I learned a
lot from that program, held in a group
setting. It also gave me the courage
to make changes at work. As a result,
in the spring of 2001 I switched from
news reporting to feature writing and
also reduced my work week to four
days. It’s made a big difference in my
health.
As a new MS Ambassador I want
to spread the word about the good
work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society
of Canada. I’m also hoping that my
story might serve as a bridge. Over
the years as a journalist, I wrote lots of
stories about people who dared to take
a risk. Sometimes that risk can be as
simple as reaching out for help. That’s
what I did.

Ask
Jeannine
A: If you don’t have any signs the
neurologist can detect during his
examination and your MRI is normal, you
do not have MS. Sometimes neurologists
will say you have possible MS but a
diagnosis cannot be made at this time.
In this case the
neurologist
may want to
continue seeing
you into the
future. You
may be asked
to repeat your
MRI at a later
date or undergo
a gadolinium
enhanced
MRI or other
additional
tests such as
a spinal fluid
examination.
Spinal fluid (CSF) will be examined for
oligoclonal bands which have been
shown to be present in the spinal fluid
of patients with MS. Visual or sensory
evoked potentials are tests that are quite
beneficial but are ordered based upon
presenting symptoms. Further tests will
be ordered if your neurologist feels they
Jeannine Christopherson, a MS nurse and retired
Outreach Coordinator with the MS Society, Edmonton
Chapter, will answer your questions about MS.
If you would like to ask Jeannine a question, email it to
info.alberta@mssociety.ca or call the editor,
Angie Wight, at 780-463-1190 or 1-800-268-7582.
My MRI indicates I don’t have MS but I have many
symptoms. Where do I fit in? Could I still possibly
have MS?
are required. The fact that your MRI is
normal is positive.
A retrospective study done in the
Netherlands looked at 75 patients
from 1998-2001 who sought a second
opinion concerning a possible MS
diagnosis. Seven patients were eventually
diagnosed with MS; in eight patients
another neurological disease was
diagnosed; the remaining 60 patients had
no neurological diagnoses.
The researchers’ conclusion: “The
likelihood that a patient who is not
diagnosed with MS will in the future
develop MS is small.” Ref: docguide.com
Alberta Division
Annual General
Meeting Notice
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE
Annual General Meeting of members
of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of
Canada, Alberta Division, will be held
on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in
Calgary at the Delta Calgary South,
135 Southland Drive S.E. at 10:30 a.m.
If you would like to attend please
contact Mildred Muttart at 780-440-
8751 (Edmonton area) or 1-800-268-
7582 outside of the Edmonton area
or via email at mildred.muttart@
mssociety.ca.
Members who are unable to attend
the meeting in person but who wish
to receive the financial report can
contact Mildred.
New Government
and Community
Relations advocate
The MS Society – Alberta Division
is very proud to announce that
Julie Kelndorfer has accepted the
position of Director of Government and
Community Relations. Julie has been
with the MS Society for three years in
the position of Director of Volunteer
Resources. She has worked passionately
toward helping people affected by MS
and hopes to continue helping people
with MS in both big and small ways in her
new role.
“Personally, having MS, I hope to
make a difference for people affected
by MS across the province,” says Julie.
“There’s a huge opportunity for me to
learn and grow and collaborate with
others in this new role.” From her
previous position, Julie will carry with
her the knowledge of the importance of
people who are connected to our cause
and those who have the potential to be
connected.
MS Connections Fall 2009 7

Jasper Rockhoppers throw ’50s block
party to raise funds
On August 27 the Jasper
Rockhoppers took full advantage
of the crowd that A&W brought in
for “Cruisin’ for a Cause” day. Captained
by Jasper’s Fire Chief, Greg Van Tighem,
the Rockhoppers hosted a 1950s-themed
block party, complete with vintage
cars, music, and attire. The creative
fundraising team requested a ‘toll’ of
passing cars, a.k.a. a donation for the
MS Society. One of the biggest features
of the day was a bikini car wash where
Mayor Richard Ireland and Van Tighem
sportingly wore bikini tops and washed
cars for donations.
“We will do just about anything
to help raise funds for MS,” said Van
Tighem. “There have been a lot of
advancements in MS research lately
and each one brings us closer to a cure.
We all have friends or family with MS
and are committed to helping everyone
deal with this disease and we are
confident that the cure is not far away.”
This exciting fundraiser raised a whopping
total of $2,784!
Lloydminster young adults band together
A
group of young adults in
Lloydminster has banded together
to create a MS Young People’s
Group. Known as YADS (short for ‘young
adults’), the group has 12-15 members
ranging in age from 19-42 and meets
once a month to go out for dinner, coffee,
BBQs, or anywhere they can think of to
relax and talk.
“The young adults really run the
program. They talk about medications
and therapies and they really like getting
together to chat,” says Myrna Jezowski,
Program Coordinator for the MS Society
– Lloydminster Chapter.
YADS started again on September
15th. If you are interested in joining or
have any questions contact Myrna at
780-871-0513.
8 MS Connections Fall 2009
Christopher Read, a member of the Jasper Rockhoppers, poses for a picture in
front of one of the many classic cars seen Cruisin’ the Dub on August 27th.
The young adults group was enjoying drinks at a recent group get-together.
Group members run the program and decide which activities they’d like to do.

A rtists’ Corner
MS forces tattoo artist to give up his
business, but not his spirit
Lori Kobsar, local Lloydminster
artist, has found solace through
his artwork. Former owner of
the tattoo parlor Wicked Ink, Lori
eventually left the tattoo business.
“I didn’t want to tattoo after having
MS, because there are no erasers in
the tattoo industry.” But despite the
MS, Lori’s gift still shines through in
the drawings he continues to create.
One of his favourite works of art, a
grasshopper, was inspired by a teacher
who never had a shortage of work
for Lori to complete. Lori eventually
adopted the nickname ‘grasshopper’
for his willingness to ‘jump to work.’
Lori says at times the unending parade
of tasks made him feel like a robot, so he
decided to fuse those feelings with his
‘grasshopper’ persona, ultimately shaping
the design for his ‘robotic grasshopper’
piece. In addition to his many incredible
drawings, Lori also sculpts hands in his
spare time.
Lori fi rst found out about his
diagnosis in 1998 at the age of 38. He
found out about the MS Society from his
mom and has been an active volunteer
with the Society ever since.
Johanna Green, Executive
& Development Director of the
Lloydminster Chapter of the MS Society,
agrees. “It’s been an absolute pleasure
seeing Lori become so involved with
our Chapter. A constant optimist, he
never allows MS to hold him back,
and is always among the fi rst people
willing to volunteer for events. Lori’s
great sense of humour is also a
welcome addition to the many Chapter
programs he regularly attends. His
tremendous talents, coupled with his
never-give-up attitude, make him a
true inspiration and a Chapter member
we’re proud to call our own.”
Lori is currently selling some of
his artwork to help lessen the fi nancial
burden of MS on his life. Anyone
interested in purchasing a piece can
contact the Lloydminster Chapter
offi ce at 780-871-0513.
Lori Kobar is seen here
with his artwork (left),
and in particular the
drawing of a robotic
grasshopper (above).
After his diagnosis
he stopped tatooing
“because there are no
erasers in the tatoo
industry.”
MS Connections Fall 2009 9

Ambassador Profile
Teresa Adams
My journey with the MS Society
started when I was diagnosed
in 1997. After the birth of my two
daughters, one in 1994 and the other
18 months later in 1996, I had a major
relapse and was off to see the doctor
time and time again until finally they
told me I had MS and to stay fit and
have a nice life. Well that wasn’t
enough for me so I got in contact with
the MS Society – Alberta Division
and they got me in contact with the
chapter in Lloydminster. From there
I started going to the support groups
and found that it helped me out a
lot and gave me an avenue to get
educated on the disease and help
myself. By helping myself I found there
was a lot of information out there and
a lot of work left to do to find a cure
and help others.
Well I’m not a scientist and so I
went in the direction of helping others
and educating them in order for them
to start helping themselves. I became
Vice President of the Lloydminster
Chapter about the end of 1997 and
then from there I moved to the
Edgerton area in 1999. I wanted to
go to a support group in Wainwright
10 MS Connections Fall 2009
A United Voice for the
Cause and Cure
but the chapter there didn’t have one
anymore. Then, Helen Chesterman
contacted me to see if I wanted to be
involved with the Wainwright chapter,
and I managed to find a support group
facilitator to start a new support group
in Wainwright.
From there I became the chapter
President in 2000 and I am still running
strong and don’t plan to quit any time
soon. Any one who knows Helen
Chesterman knows that she wouldn’t
let me stop there anyway. Now that
she had me in her reach she then got
me involved with the Government and
Community Relations Committee. I
stayed on that committee for one
year and during that year the Alberta
Division was having meetings about
starting an MS Ambassador Program.
This program really intrigued me,
as it is there to help educate people
and inform the public of our mission
and cause; this is really an area that
I thought I was suited for. While
involved with the Ambassador Program
I switched over from the Government
and Community Relations Committee
to the Client Services Committee
as it was in the same area as the
Ambassador Program.
The past year we managed to
have the first of many clinics in the
Wainwright area. We got a neurologist
from Edmonton, Dr. Ken Makus, to
come and run a clinic for people in
long-term care or who live in rural areas
and can’t make it to a specialist. Dr.
Makus ran an excellent clinic and plans
to come back on a yearly basis. This is
just the first step in helping those in the
community. These types of events that
improve quality of life for people with
MS is what I thrive on. Yet some day
soon there will be a cure which will help
other generations but the ones that
are affected by the disease right now is
what is important.
Husky
Community
Rebate Program
The Husky Community Rebate
Program is an easy way to raise
funds for the MS Society by
purchasing gas! Husky sends a rebate to
the MS Society of 2% of the purchases
cardholders make at Husky or Mohawk
stations or Husky House Restaurants.
In one quarter over $23,000 in gas was
purchased and we’ve received nearly
$500!
Call now to get your Husky
Community Rebate Card!
Contact Jill Opalka by email at jill.
opalka@mssociety.ca or by phone at
780-463-1190.
Do you want to
be a face of MS?
Submit your picture, name, age, and
year you were diagnosed to angie.
wight@mssociety.ca.
Faces of MS
Your name
Diagnosed with MS in at age < >

Lethbridge’s Hit-A-Ball Campaign a
smashing success
The Lethbridge & District
Chapter attended 46
tournaments between
June and September at various
golf courses in and around the
city and raised over $16,500!
Brietta Gerrard, a local
summer student, worked hard
to organize volunteers and
supplies as they hosted a par
3 golf hole during company or
club tournaments.
When the golfers arrive at
the hole to play their regular
shot, they can choose to
donate $5 to the MS Society,
Lethbridge & District Chapter.
Each donor received a package
of tees and a Werther’s
Original candy courtesy of
Norm Lepard Re/Max Real
Estate just for donating.
Golfers who donated
were also entered into a draw for a
monthly prize package and a grand
prize draw at the end of the season.
Are you our
biggest fan?
Summer student Brietta Gerrard, who worked with the MS Society to organize volunteers
and supplies, poses with a few golfers during one of Lethbridge & District Chapter’s 46
tournaments this summer.
As a bonus, if the golfer’s drive landed
on the green they received three golf
balls courtesy of Draffins Pharmasave,
Find us on Facebook and become a fan of
the MS Society, Alberta Division
Having trouble navigating
Facebook to find the MS Society
– Alberta Division page? Then
this article is for you! Facebook is one of
the most popular social websites going
right now, and we’re constantly updating
it to keep our fans informed. It’s also a
great platform to meet other people who
have MS or other people who have family
members with MS. Show your support
and join our fan page!
Here’s an easy step-by-step
process to sign up for Facebook
and add us as a group!
See Facebook on p. 17
Terry Clark Financial & Estate Planning,
and Lynn Pearson & Karen Ohno from
ScotiaMcleod.
MS Connections Fall 2009 11

Registered Disability Savings Plan:
A future of financial security
If you or someone in your family is eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, there is a new registered savings program that you should
know about: the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP).
The RDSP was introduced by the federal government. This unique plan is designed to help Canadians to save and invest for
themselves or a disabled family member in a tax-deferred environment.
“The RDSP is a welcome addition to
existing government programs designed
to help ensure the long-term financial
security for people with disabilities,” said
David Birkbeck, head, registered products
strategy, RBC. “Our role at RBC ® is to
help educate Canadians about how these
plans work and to help those eligible get
the most benefit.”
Here’s what you need to know to
make the most of an RDSP:
Who can qualify
The beneficiary of an RDSP must be a
resident of Canada with a Social Insurance
Number, under age 60 and eligible for the
Disability Tax Credit (DTC). To qualify for
the Disability Tax Credit, the individual
must have a prolonged and severe
impairment in physical or mental function
that is confirmed by a qualified medical
practitioner and accepted by the Canada
Revenue Agency (CRA).
Who can open an RDSP
The following people can open an RDSP:
> A person with a disability who is of
the age of majority and has the legal
capacity to manage his or her finances
> The parent of a person with a disability
who has not attained the age of majority
® TM Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada.
TM1 Registered trademark of PLAN Canada. VPS54216
12 MS Connections Fall 2009
> A guardian or other representative who
is legally authorized to act on behalf of
a person with a disability
Making contributions
Contributions to an RDSP are not tax
deductible, but they grow within the plan
on a tax-deferred basis. There is no annual
contribution limit, but there is a lifetime
limit for total contributions of $200,000.
Contributions can be made up until the
end of the year the beneficiary turns 59.
Government assistance
Contributions may be eligible for federal
government matching grants (Canada
Disability Savings Grants) up to $3,500
annually, and the plan may be eligible
for government bond amounts (Canada
Disability Savings Bonds) up to $1,000
annually. The money in an RDSP can be
used for any purpose, as long as it is for
the benefit of the plan’s beneficiary.
Within Registered Disability Savings
Plans, RBC clients will have access to
a wide variety of investment options
including RBC Funds, RBC GICs and
RBC Savings Deposits. There will be no
annual administration or withdrawal fees.
Clients will also have the opportunity
to make regular, pre-authorized
contributions through RDSP-Matic .
RBC has also joined forces with Planned
Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN),
the non-profit organization that led
the advocacy for the creation of the
Registered Disability Savings Plan,
to help educate and offer advice to
Canadians. As PLAN’s preferred national
RDSP provider, RBC is working closely
with PLAN to assist Canadians with
disabilities and their families.
To find out more, call Investment and
Retirement Planner Laura Baker, PFP, at
780-499-5055, or visit www.rbc.com/rdsp.
For more information on Planned Lifetime
Advocacy Network (PLAN) or for more
about RDSPs, please visit www.plan.ca
or www.rdsp.com.
1
RBC is PLAN’s Preferred National
RDSP Provider.

Rocky Mountains provide scenic backdrop
to popular fall weekend adventure
The RONA MS Bike Tour – Mountain was two
days fi lled with sunshine, laughter, and over
300 people riding for a great cause against the
backdrop of the Rocky Mountains! This year the bike
tour raised close to $400,000 and counting!
“The RONA MS Bike Tour – Mountain was a great
success this year. We had excellent weather, and our
participants worked so hard, raising close to $400,000
for MS,” said Keltie Tichkowsky, Bike Tour Manager for
the MS Society – Alberta Division.
Cyclists from all over Alberta travel to Hinton to
participate in this unique event. The 90-km route is
ideal for the average mountain biker, with a few more
diffi cult routes if you want a challenge. With its beautiful
scenery, this tour is one you’re not going to forget!
Check out what all the buzz is about at
www.mssociety.ca/alberta/video.html.
Alberta’s RONA
MS Mountain
Bike Tour attracts
riders from far
and wide
This year the Tour had a special guest—Mark Gurney,
a Manager of Child Protection Services from County
Durham, England. Mark heard about the tour by calling
his old college friend and long-time MS Bike Tour cyclist,
Jerry Rose, and asking if he could come to Canada so they
could celebrate Mark’s 50th birthday together. Jerry told
him that he was riding in the mountain bike tour in Hinton.
Mark arranged to come and ride, too. Since December
when he made the decision to ride in the tour, Mark raised
a total of $528. Hopefully next year, Mark will join us
again and bring a few friends!
A special thank you to United Cycle who lent Mark a
bike free of charge for his epic ride!
MS Connections Fall 2009 13

St. Paul takes
Lakeland Area by
storm
The last six months have proved
to be a great success in terms
of services and programs in the
St. Paul region. Newly appointed Client
Services Coordinator, Denise Laverdure-
Sych, has worked tirelessly in creating
new programs and services and making
contacts throughout the Lakeland
region. In fact, St. Paul programs include
Yoga, Theme Craft and Talk, brown bag
lunches, support groups, potlucks and
much more! Many clients have also been
assisted with equipment funding and
special assistance. “I’m quite happy with
what we’ve accomplished,” says Denise.
“My goal is to go towards other areas
that I haven’t touched yet, make contacts,
promote awareness, and hopefully in
the future have programs available that
are closer to where our clients live and
ultimately easier to get to. I work hand
in hand with the MS St. Paul Advisory
Congratulations to Pina Coppola,
the winner of Calgary Chapter’s
WestJet contest. For the last
3 months tickets were sold for $10
each and put into a draw for a WestJet
voucher good for one return trip for two
to any scheduled WestJet destination.
The voucher was donated to the
MS Society – Calgary and Area Chapter
by Alison Macduff, a volunteer and the
RONA MS Bike Tour’s Airdrie Hospitality
Coordinator. Alison works for WestJet
as a flight attendant and discovered this
year that if she volunteered a certain
number of hours, she could apply for a
“Gift of Flight” from WestJet, good for
two return airfares anywhere WestJet
14 MS Connections Fall 2009
Committee, who have worked hard and
contributed significantly to our success.”
Key volunteers, such as Gail
Plouffe, have noticed a big improvement
in the programs available to people
“My goal is to...have
programs available
that are closer to where
our clients live and
ultimately easier
to get to.”
with MS. “There are a lot more people
contacting Denise and they are very
happy with the outcome – more people
from the Lakeland area are able to access
flies. The value of the voucher is up to
$4,500.
“Alison has truly been a wonderful
addition to the MS Society volunteer
team,” says Marie Wong, Director of
Volunteer Resources for the MS Society –
Calgary and Area Chapter.
Thank you to Alison for your
generous contribution to the MS Society
and to all the people who bought tickets.
We hope you have a wonderful vacation
Pina Coppola!
Denise Laverdure, St. Paul’s Client
Services Coordinator, exhibits great
pioneer spirit.
and attend programs and benefit from
these services,” said Gail.
“Having a location and staff
member accessible to people has made
it possible for people to better receive
the services and information they need.
I think that relationship building through
personal individual contact is the key to
our continued success,” says Denise.
For more information about St. Paul’s
programs and services contact Denise
Laverdure-Sych by phone at 780-645-
3441 ext. 226 or by email at denise.
laverdure@mssociety.ca.
Winner — Calgary WestJet Contest!
Pina Coppola, seen here, excitedly
poses with her WestJet voucher.

Medicine Hat –
Cattlewomen For a Cure
Redcliff Riverview Golf Club
Parkers Countrywide Furniture
World Wellness Massage
Edmonton –
The Brick Drive for a
Cure
RBC
Hudson’s Canadian Tap House
Cloverdale
Bighorn Meadows Resort
Century Casino
J&K Building Maintenance Ltd.
GLS Construction Ltd.
First Truck Centres
KSM Rig & Equipment
Eng-Con Holdings Ltd.
Coronet Lease Holdings
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Hilton Garden Inn
The Fath Group
The Sutton Place Hotel
Spolumbo’s
Grant Pankiw Realty
Otto Mobiles
Jayman Master Built
Moxie’s Classic Grill
Whiteridge
Lube-X
Yukon Brewing Company
Sorrell Financial
Melcor Developments Ltd.
North West Paving Ltd.
Outback Steakhouse
Charton Hobbs
The Edmonton Sun
Global Edmonton
91.7 The Bounce
Priority Printing
Roger’s Sleep Shop
Calgary –
MS Tee Off
Opsco Energy
Ensign Energy
Davidson Enman Lumber Ltd.
Marathon Oil
Honeywell
Propipe Manufacturing
Flo-Max
Shell Canada
WorleyParsons
Style-Craft Printing
Norwest Corporation
ATCO Group
Nabors Drilling
Toscana Capital
Renaissance Wines
Encore Coring & Drilling
Spolumbo’s
Akita Drilling
Jacobs Engineering Group
International Hotel
AON Reed Stenhouse
Universal Ford
Red Deer –
MS 100 Holes of Golf
106.7 The Drive
Abacus Datagraphics Ltd.
Alberta Golf Works
Associate Massage Therapy Clinic Ltd
Best Cap & Sportswear Ltd.
Big 105 • 106.7 The Drive • B94 BigWest Country
Bike Werx
Black Knight Inn
Boss Lubricants
Bower Place Shopping Centre
Burnco Rock Products Ltd.
Cal Dallas, Red Deer South MLA
Central Alberta Theatre – C.A.T.
City Screen Productions
Commonwealth Homes
Communications Group Red Deer Ltd.
Cunningham Electric Ltd.
Dan Waters Construction Ltd.
Earl’s Restaurant
Fas Gas - Parkland Industries
Goodmen Roofing Ltd.
Hafso Developments Ltd.
Hildebrand Motors Ltd. – Olds
Innisfail Co-op
Innisfail Truck Ranch Ltd.
Investors Group Financial Services
Lazer Wash
Mary Anne Jablonski, Red Deer North MLA
Mohave Grill
Nutters Bulk & Natural Foods
Original Joe’s Restaurant & Bar
Pentagon Optimization Services Inc.
Platinum Insurance Inc.
Port ‘O Call Safeway
Proform Concrete Services Inc.
Quinn Contracting Ltd.
Red Deer Advocate
Regional Mortgage Corporation
Reid-Built Homes Ltd.
Restaurant Twenty Seven
Retire First Ltd.
Safari Spa & Salon
Southside Dodge Chrysler Jeep & RV Centre
Spirit Creek Golf & Country Club
The Keg Steakhouse and Bar
Tim Hortons - Donna Dunham
Timcon Construction (1988) Ltd.
Lethbridge –
Hit-A-Ball Campaign
Streatside Eatery
Ric’s Grill
Fountain Tire
Lethbridge Keg
Home Depot
Maddhatters Liquid Lounge and Crazy Cuisine
Galaxy Cinemas
Lethbridge & District YWCA
Angel’s Touch Beauty Spa
Lethbridge Country Club
Bayshore Inn Lakeside Chophouse
Golf Balls
Scotia McLeod
Draffins Pharmasave
Terry Clark Financial & Estate Planning
Tees & Candies
Re/Max
MS
Real
Connections
Estate
Fall 2009 15

Volunteer
Profile
Meet John Cantin, volunteer
extraordinaire and one of the
MS Society’s most diligent
helper-outers. John volunteers at the
Enerflex MS Walk, the RONA MS Bike
Tour, The Brick Drive Fore a Cure, and
many MS casino fundraisers.
“I consider myself a professional
volunteer; since I quit work I’ve been
really giving back. I have a number of
things that I do, and a number I still
John Cantin considers himself a
professional volunteer and rarely lets
an opportunity pass by to help the MS
Society.
hope to do,” says John of his experiences
volunteering with the MS Society.
“Volunteering is so important, and
my favourite part is knowing that I’m
making a difference somewhere to
someone. I’ve volunteered at a lot of
places and the MS Society treats their
volunteers right at the top of the list! I
walk into the office over there and people
are genuinely friendly and care and know
that they have a really good group of
people volunteering for them!”
John first got involved with the MS
16 MS Connections Fall 2009
Society when his son was diagnosed a
number of years ago. John and his wife
saw a call for volunteers for the Enerflex
MS Walk. After his first volunteer
experience, he couldn’t get enough. “I
have met some people who are just
excellent volunteers - people who love it
and volunteer because they care.”
“I’ve volunteered at
a lot of places and the
MS Society treats their
volunteers right at the
top of the list.”
Volunteers
Make 2010
your year
to volunteer with the
MS Society in Alberta.
12 Enerflex MS Walks.
4 RONA MS Bike Tours.
There’s an event
near you!
For information on volunteering at
these events, or to find out other
volunteer opportunities, visit www.
mssociety.ca/alberta/volunteer.htm
MS Support Groups in Alberta
Battle River /Wainwright — call Teresa at 780-755-2226.
Boyle Area — call Deloris at 780-689-4300.
Brooks — call the Southeastern Chapter office at 403-529-6797. Ask for
Shivonne.
Calgary — call (403) 250-7090 for further information.
Cold Lake/Lakeland — call Suzanne at 780-639-4145.
Drumheller — call Karen at 403-820-7863.
Edmonton — call 780-471-3034 for further information.
Elk Point — call 780-724-2430 for further information.
Fairview — call 780-835-4868 for further information.
Hinton — call Aileen at 1-800-268-7582 for further information.
Lethbridge — call (403) 328-7002 for further information.
Lloydminster — call (780) 871-0513 for further information.
Medicine Hat — call (403) 529-6797 for further information.
Pincher Creek /Crowsnest — call 403-627-2106 for further information.
Red Deer — call (403) 346-0290 for further information.
South Peace/Grande Prairie — call 780-532-3204 for further information.
St. Paul — call Denise at 780-645-3441 ext 226 for further information.
Tofield — MS Support Group last Wednesday of the month.
7 pm to 8:30 pm. Tofield Health Unit.
Vegreville — call 780-632-2848 for further information.
Yellowknife — call Shawn at 867-445-4372.

Pilot project uses WalkAide
system for treatment of foot
drop
The WalkAide system, developed
at the University of Alberta by
Dr. Richard B. Stein, is a proven
myo-orthotics technology for people
who have lost the ability to voluntarily
lift their foot off the ground during
walking. Myo-orthotics technology
devices restore functionality to the limb
by using functional electrical stimulation
(FES) to assist in foot clearance during
ambulation. Clients have experienced
increased ability to participate in
activities of daily living, better endurance
and safety in walking, decreased pain in
other joints, and decreased contractures
through a more efficient gait.
The Alberta Aids to Daily Living
(AADL) Program is in the middle of a
continued from p. 11
1. In your web browser go to www.
facebook.com
2. On the right-hand side of the screen
you’ll see a place where you can
insert your First Name, Last Name,
Email address, password, and gender.
Fill in the information and then click
“Sign Up.”
MS Society – Alberta Division has a
Facebook page and a Twitter account!
Become a fan on
Facebook (www.facebook.com)
or follow us on
Twitter (www.twitter.com)
and stay up to date
three-year pilot project to help individuals
purchase the WalkAide system. AADL
has purchased 450 WalkAide units to
provide to eligible AADL clients during
the pilot project that runs from April 1,
2008 to March 31, 2011.
3. This will take you to a security check
page. There are two distorted words
that you need to type into the text
box. If you are unable to read these
words, right over top of them is
something called an “audio captcha”
which will read a series of words to
you that you type into the text box.
4. This will take you to a page where
you can add Friends, find Friends, edit
your profile information, and upload a
profile picture.
5. After you have updated this
information you will notice a box on
the top right hand corner of the page
that looks like a text box but it says
Join us on
and
Positive results from the pilot project
would help get the WalkAide included
as an orthotic benefit.
The pilot project will assess the
differences between a traditional ankle
foot orthosis and the WalkAide System.
A positive evaluation would help support
a recommendation to add the WalkAide
as an AADL orthotic benefit.
To learn more about the pilot project
visit: www.seniors.alberta.ca/aadl/
pilotprojects/WalkAide.
“search” in light grey letters. Click
that box and type in “MS Society of
Canada - Alberta Division.” Our page
will be the first on the list.
6. Click on the name of the page – this
will load the MS Society’s page. At
the very top of the newly loaded
page, right beside the name “MS
Society of Canada - Alberta Division”
you will notice a button that says
“Become a Fan.” Click the button.
7. Congratulations! You are now a
fan of the MS Society – Alberta
Division’s Facebook Page. You will
now receive all of our updates and
new events!
Facebook: Go to www.facebook.com and sign
up as a member. Once you have a Facebook
account, search “MS Society – Alberta Division”
and become a fan.
Twitter: Go to www.twitter.com and sign up
as a member. Once you have a twitter account,
search “MS_Society_AB” and follow us!
MS Connections Fall 2009 17

Spotlight
on Lloydminster
Colonial
Days
Parade
At the Lloydminster Colonial
Days Parade on July 8th, the
Chapter fl oat featured ‘Faces
of MS’ along with hundreds
of carnations. Receiving an
‘Honourable Mention’ from
the judges, the fl oat was
conceptualized, built and
even driven by dedicated
Lloydminster Chapter volunteer,
Bob Bower.
MS
Summer
Kids Kamp
18 MS Connections Fall 2009
Lloydminster Chapter ran a MS Summer
Kids Kamp from August 19-21. In
addition to a variety of MS education
projects, the children also went out
on fi eld trips to various destinations,
including swimming at the outdoor pool,
archery and horseback riding.

Landmark makes their mark in the
Enerfl ex MS Walk
The Landmark Group of Builders
has been involved with the MS
Society since 2005 when Pam
Van Der Laan created the fi rst Landmark
team in the Enerfl ex MS Walk. In their
fi rst year, Pam and her team of eleven
raised over $4000.
Over the next few years, the
Landmark MS Walk team has expanded
to become the Edmonton Enerfl ex MS
Walk top corporate team for the past two
years and has raised a cumulative total of
over $36,000 in fi ve years. Comprised
of employees and family members, the
Landmark team looks forward to the
2009 Walk team members
Rachael Lawrence
Meledee Nichols (living with MS)
Tracy Standbridge
Alex Tang
Edward Tang
Jamil Rachid
Deb Kardash
Barb Kryzalka
Melanie Therien
Emily Weisbrot
Barb Weisbrot
Pam Van Der Laan, Team Captain
(living with MS)
Edmonton Enerfl ex MS Walk each year.
Recently, the Landmark Group
employees have expanded their
participation in MS Society events by
entering a team in the RONA MS Bike
Tour – Mountain, which takes place each
year in Hinton in early September. Led
by their team captain, David Nasseri, the
“Landmark Grinders” raised over $4,000
in the 2009 mountain bike tour.
“The event is a rare and wonderful
opportunity to get
out and ride the trails
with great support
and great people,” said
David. The Landmark
Grinders goal for
2010 is at least eight
Landmark Grinders
captain Dave Nasseri
(left) with Juan
Manrique and Emily
Braunig.
members and $10,000 in funds raised.
They also have intentions of riding in the
RONA MS Bike Tour – Leduc to Camrose.
2009 Bike Tour team
Emily Braunig
Juan Manrique
Crystal Nelson
David Nasseri
MS Connections Fall 2009 19

Leading By Example
Real estate agent battles MS
You may know Grant Pankiw’s name
from his Remax billboards, ATM
machine ads, or even on the shirts
and shorts of certain athletes. While he’s
known for his real estate savvy, what a
lot of people don’t know is that he was
diagnosed with MS in 2003.
“We all need help in
raising awareness,
advocacy, and financial
assistance to help stop
this terrible disease.”
“I didn’t know what to think about
my diagnosis. I have never been told that
I was unhealthy in any way,” says Grant
about the shock of finding out he has MS.
Grant started to get involved with
the MS Society in 2008, when a friend
asked him to sponsor The Brick MS Drive
Fore a Cure golf tournament. It was his
first connection with the MS Society and
from there he has contributed through
TV engagements promoting the golf
tournament and has advocated and
STAY INFORMED!
The MS Society is committed
to reaching out to all Albertans
with MS. If you know someone
who would like to receive
a complimentary copy of MS
Connections, please call us at
1-800-268-7582.
Publications Mail Agreement 40064145
Return undeliverable items to:
MS Society of Canada Alberta Division
#150, 9405 - 50 St, Edmonton T6B 2T4
20 MS Connections Fall 2009
participated in a number of MS Society
events.
“I go on living life to the fullest. I
am fortunate that I am not as affected
with MS as others are. I was healthy
in my 20s when I was diagnosed, it is
what it is, and we all need help in raising
awareness, advocacy, and financial
assistance to help stop this terrible
disease. If I can, then I’m hoping even
one person reading this can say ‘I can
too!’”
Jan Petrar knows one day this will be a reality and she’s
doing something about it today.
Jan Petrar and her children
Southern Alberta
George Jacob
Ph: (403) 250-7090
Email: george.jacob@mssociety.ca
Web: www.MSlegacy.ca
Imagine A Future Without
Multiple Sclerosis
Jan made a commitment in her will to support the MS Society’s
internationally respected research program. “Research gave
me my life back. It also gave my son and daughter their mother
back.”
She knows what it’s like to suffer through neurological pain, to
deal with depression and fatigue. And she knows the impact
this disease has on families and communities.
“When I was diagnosed with MS, there were very few
treatment options available, and little hope. The development
of disease modifying therapies ultimately changed the course
of this disease for me, my family, and so many others.”
You too can create a legacy of hope for future generations!
Contact us to find out how
Northern Alberta
Mark Mahl
Ph: (780) 463-1190
Email: mark.mahl@mssociety.ca
Web: www.MSlegacy.ca