Title Here 3640 pts

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What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, long-term
condition that affects the central nervous
system, including the brain and spinal cord. MS
is an autoimmune disease, which means that the
body's immune system mistakenly attacks itself,
targeting the central nervous system (CNS)
consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and the
optic nerves. The causes of multiple sclerosis
are unknown there is currently no known cure
for the disease. Approximately 400,000 Americans
acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200
people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS may affect
2.5 million individuals.

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Who Gets Multiple Sclerosis?
Unexpectedly, healthy individuals in the prime
of life are confronted by a predator that changes
their lives forever. This predator is called
multiple sclerosis (MS). MS can strike anyone at
any age, but more people are diagnosed between
the ages of 20 and 50. Two-three times as many
women as men have MS .

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What makes MS so devastating?
MS stops people from moving.

• MS randomly attacks multiple areas of the central
  nervous systems nerve fibers protective covering,
  wearing away control over the body.
• People with MS never know when attacks will
  occur, how long theyll last, or to what degree
  their abilities will remain undamaged after each
  attack.
• Unpredictability adds to the devastation of this
  disease. The progression, severity, and specific
  symptoms of the disease cannot be foreseen. 

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Symptoms

• As a result of the inflammatory, demyelization
  process in the central nervous system, people
  with MS can experience a wide variety of
  symptoms. The most common symptoms of MS include
• Fatigue
• Problems with walking
• Bowel and/or bladder disturbances
• Visual problems
• Changes in cognitive function, including problems
  with memory, attention, and problem-solving
• Abnormal sensations such as numbness or "pins and
  needles"
• Changes in sexual function
• Pain
• Depression and/or mood swings

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Who is the Lone Star Chapter?

• Founded in 1955 to provide direct services to
  people affected by MS and to fund research in the
  movement toward a world free of MS. The Lone Star
  Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis
  Society, the largest Chapter in terms of
  geography, population served and monies raised
• The Lone Star Chapter serves 174 counties in
  Texas and 20,000 people with MS, their families,
  friends, the professionals who serve them, and
  the general public.
• Charity Navigator, the prestigious non-profit
  rating service, honored the Lone Star Chapter
  with four stars its highest award for
  outstanding financial and service excellence.

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Our Mission Strategic Goals
Mission To end the devastating effects of MS
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MS and Employment

• Some people with MS remain productively employed,
  while others with similar levels of disability do
  not. According to NMSS research, certain factors
  appear to be related to job retention including
  knowledge of employment rights and career
  planning based on expert advice rather than well
  meaning but often uninformed advice of family
  friends and co-workers.

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MS and Financial Planning

• Planning for the financial future of a person
  with a lifelong medical condition requires
  preparation, careful research and often
  professional guidance. Shifting job or careers
  without careful financial and health benefit
  planning can have disastrous results.
• COBRA
• Small group and individual health policies
• Long and short term disability policies and life
  insurance
• Income tax issues
• SSDI
• Personal financial planning

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Partnership with FSP
This year FSP received the National MS Societys
prestigious Making a Difference award Given to
individuals whose volunteer work or special
contributions have made a difference in the lives
of people with MS.   FSP is the first
organization to receive this award.  
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PlanningWise Program

• A dynamic new program from the National Multiple
  Sclerosis Society and the Dallas Society of
  Financial Service Professionals will help people
  living with MS evaluate and plan their career
  path and financial future

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PlanningWise Program

• The PlanningWise program provides a 90-day one to
  one consultation for people with MS that offers
  career and job coaching, financial planning and
  insurance benefit counseling, and direct
  financial assistance with COBRA health insurance
  payments, if appropriate.

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PlanningWise Program

• The program is open to persons living with MS
  who
• Have lost employment within the last 30 days
• Are at risk for losing employment
• Are considering a career change because of MS

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Society of FSP Recruiting Goal 2 from each
professional discipline
RHU COBRA CPA Tax Matters JD Employment
Law JD Wills/Trusts/POA CFP/ChFC Financial
Planning CLU Life Insurance Others as needed,
including student/associate members
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90 Day PlanningWise Goals ADAPTING

• 1st meeting Determine financial stress and
  sophistication of client
• Homework assignment for client is to gather
  benefit booklets, COBRA notices and certificate
  of creditable coverage
• FEP volunteer delivers Adapting booklet and
  reviews with client
• Identify any critical issues, such as ADA
• 30 Day goals Introduction to team members
• Estimate annual cost of clients treatment plan
• Complete medical expense worksheet, based upon
  medical plan(s)
• Recommend for COBRA subsidy, if required
• 60 Day goals
• Complete budget from Adapting, including debt
  management
• Determine game plan for 91st day
• 90 Day goals
• Enrolled in health plan of new employer or
  alternate strategy
• Estimate savings to client of PlanningWise
  process
• Estate plan in good order
• Taxes filed and current

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What has been the time required of volunteers?

• This will depend on the client needs, but our
  early experience from the pilot suggests the
  following
• 1 Hour of fact finding by phone
• Employment status
• Access to benefit booklets and 401k/IRA
  statements
• Communication by phone/email
• 1 Hour per month for the Financial Planner to
  coach and keep on track
• Other issues as needed, may just be a phone call
• Teleconferences planned to reach a broader
  audience, where there is not a time urgency or a
  financial emergency. 1 Hour each with
  multi-disciplined team