| The idea of a retreat usually brings up | | | | listen and assist in sorting out and |
| images of relaxation, spiritual reflection | | | | identifying common problems and frustrations |
| and a getting away from the usual day-to-day | | | | of Multiple Sclerosis symptoms. No topic is |
| life with its hustle and bustle stress. We | | | | off limits because the goal of these retreats |
| most commonly are used to churches, | | | | is to help the patient identify and deal with |
| businesses and large organizations having | | | | any problem or symptom that is a result or |
| retreats with the intended purpose and goal | | | | by-product of the disease, whether it's |
| of refocusing and a quest for new vision. It | | | | physical, emotional or mental. These are |
| all boils down to "we're stuck in the mud", | | | | working retreats in the sense that those with |
| "a rut" or a cycle of unproductive thinking". | | | | MS will certainly get their money's worth as |
| Although most would agree that retreats are | | | | they work out some issues.Many popular |
| great, adding that everyone should go on at | | | | retreats include families or have "self-help" |
| least one in a lifetime, it would most likely | | | | as their focus. The National MS Society |
| wind up at the bottom of the list when it | | | | Chapter in North Carolina |
| came to recommendations of helpful things for | | | | (nationalmssociety.org/ncc) hosts a weekend |
| those who have Multiple Sclerosis.Yet this is | | | | retreat in the summer called the "Camp |
| exactly what is now being prescribed for | | | | Carefree Family Retreat Weekend. This is a |
| those who have been recently diagnosed with | | | | fun-filled affordable weekend in the country |
| Multiple Sclerosis and even for those who | | | | for the whole family. Each summer has a |
| have had MS for a longer period of time. It | | | | different theme.The Gawler Foundation |
| would surprise some to know that retreats | | | | (gawler.org) sponsors a residential program |
| specifically tailored for those living with | | | | for those with Multiple Sclerosis Cancer and |
| Multiple Sclerosis as well as other illnesses | | | | other illnesses. Gawler's main focus is |
| are increasing around the world because of | | | | "self -help". The Gawler Foundation teaches |
| the benefits being seen in patients across | | | | self-help techniques and many non-drug |
| the board including a feeling of well-being, | | | | options for patients to get their particular |
| regained control of symptoms, self-esteem, | | | | Multiple Sclerosis symptoms under control or |
| comradeship, emotional support and | | | | guidance towards halting the disease's |
| acknowledgment.In general, the most effective | | | | progression completely.Granted not everyone |
| yet simple retreats offer those with Multiple | | | | will experience a complete turn around with |
| Sclerosis a unique opportunity to not only | | | | their MS symptoms, but each individual will |
| learn more about this complicated and | | | | without a doubt benefit just from the rare |
| mysterious disease they have that baffles the | | | | meeting of like hearts and minds. Each will |
| best of doctors, but to connect with others | | | | take away from the retreat what he or she |
| with the same in common. During some of the | | | | needs whether it is information, |
| more involved full-scale retreats, there are | | | | encouragement or just a warm feeling of well |
| usually a combination of group leaders, | | | | being that they didn't have before the |
| doctors, social workers, physical and | | | | retreat. |
| occupational therapists that are there to | | | | |