An educational pilot project developed by the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is recruiting volunteers to work on a one-to-one basis with advanced MS sufferers.
The project, GPS for Learning, was made possible through a $3,000 grant from the Lifelong Learning Council. The pilot matches MS sufferers who are home bound or living in facilities with a volunteer partner. The volunteer will help engage the MS sufferer with various learning opportunities, depending on his or her interests.
Pat Snowie, MS society community outreach co-ordinator, said when a person is diagnosed with cancer, for example, and the disease progresses, services are often brought to them. But with MS, quite often the person diagnosed and family members have to research and seek each piece along the way.
This project is one way to help the suffers overcome these barriers.
Snowie said there could be a situation where a participant used to travel extensively but did not have the chance to visit all the places she wanted. The volunteer partner could bring the experience to the participant by sharing photos or by bringing someone to the participant to share their experience. Or the participant may have an interest in basket weaving, learning about molecular biology or even taking a course in astronomy.
The funding came through in early spring and a contractor has been hired to develop the project. Snowie said they will have a minimum of four MS sufferers and a maximum of eight in the pilot.
In August, there will be a training session for volunteers. The project is expected to begin by September. Snowie said the pilot could run for at least a year, depending on the learning opportunity.
To find out more about the project and volunteer opportunities, contact the Central Alberta chapter of the MS Society of Canada at 403-346-0290.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com