Download our Fall/Winter 2012 Newsletter! - Huntington's Disease ...

COMMUNITY SERVICES
The principal means in which the HDSA communicates and assists affected
families in our area is through two Support Groups which meet monthly in
Akron and Independence. These meetings are administered through Tiffany
Cousino, LISW, Northeast Ohio Chapter’s Social Worker. Permit me to offer at
this juncture that our Chapter is very fortunate to have her on our staff.
My wife Millicent died on March16, 2011 from complications of Huntington’s
disease. The Support Group format worked for me as I made personal friends
with husbands in my same situation, who were Caregivers for their spouse.
We recognize that this meeting format does not work for everyone. Isolation
and lack of social interaction is not unusual for HD patients and their
caregivers. Sometimes, caregivers cannot leave their home easily, but it is
important for them to communicate with others at these Support Group
Meetings who may be in a similar crossfire with HD and can offer insight.
Tiffany meets each month with HD families at their homes and is able to bring
other participants, like me, who have personal experience with HD to offer
assistance. She is under contract with our Chapter so there is no cost to the
family.
Our local area Support Groups provide outreach programs including the
giving of “gift baskets” to HD patients at a number of nursing homes. Our hope
is to continue this effort as well as offer other outreach options to HD families
in 2013.
We also encourage HD family participation in any drug trial for which the
HD individual can qualify. One HD individual in the Independence Support
Group is participating in a Selisistat drug trial at Wake Forest University,
Winston-Salem, N.C. Trials such as this one are critical to finding an effective
treatment for HD positive individuals.
AREA SUPPORT
GROUP MEETINGS
Cleveland Area:
Monday - Jan 14
Monday - Feb 11
Monday - Mar 11
Monday - April 8
Thursday - May 16
Monday - June 10
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Independence Civic Center (Craft Room)
6363 Selig Blvd.
Independence, OH 44131
Akron Area:
First Tuesday of the Month
6:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Ellet Community Center
2449 Wedgewood Drive
Akron, OH 44319
Our Support Groups are sensitive to everyone’s feelings and protects
each family’s privacy. We want to help and we will. For more information,
please contact Wesley G. Johnston, Jr. at (330) 922-3443 or via e-mail at
Wes.Johnston1567@gmail.com.
WELCOME
NEW BOARD
MEMBERS
The Northeast Ohio Chapter board
recently elected two new board
members. Cory A. Baughman, CPA,
with Barnes Wendling CPAs, was
elected Chapter Treasurer at the
Annual Meeting held on May 8. A
Cleveland resident, he is a graduate
of Cleveland State University. Shelly
Hameed of Grafton was also elected
as a Board Member. She is a graduate
of The Ohio State University and
employed as an account manager
with Lundbeck Inc.
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION
THROUGH THE MATCHING GIFTS
PROGRAM
Stretch your donation when your company doubles your contribution!
Support HDSA when you and your company participate in the HDSA Matching
Gifts Program. Many employers have these programs in which the company
matches the tax-deductible contribution you make to HDSA. Your gift doubles
(or more) when your company belongs to HDSA’s Matching Gift Program.
To make your gift to HDSA grow, simply obtain a matching gift form from your
Human Resources Department, enclose it with your gift and mail to the Chapter
Office. Anyone can make an online donation at www.hdsa.org/neohdon
DONATIONS TO HDSA NOW MADE EASIER THROUGH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS
such as contributions through Community Health Charities. Contact Mike
Ryan at mryan@healthcharities.org or at (614) 891-2566 for more information.