26 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 27, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com MS Society helps clients maintain independence P amela Read is an interesting, vivacious, educated and self-sufficient woman who just happens to have Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She feels it's important to clarify that MS is just a small part of who she is, but she says it's definitely not the most important thing that people need to remember about her. "I have been very proud of myself, not letting this disease run my life," said Read. "I take care to stay away from things that would aggravate my condition." She also emphasized that one of the key supports in her life is the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada's Halton Chapter. Funded by United Way of Oakville, it helps people living with MS maintain a realistic degree of independence and control over their lifestyle through patient-service programs and education. Read, who has had MS for over 20 years, says the MS Society has changed her life for the better, not only financially, but socially as well. "Not only does the society provide financial assistance, they also provide moral support, information, and the ear of someone who cares," said Read. "They're also facilitators who bring people together in social situations like luncheons and barbeques." While not all people with MS need to use a wheelchair, Read does, but she doesn't think of herself as disabled. "To be disabled," she said, "is to be classified as first and foremost not having any abilities." She continues to take pleasure in the things she has always enjoyed, such as reading, writing, shopping and talking with friends. The only difference now is that she has to enjoy them from a wheelchair. Read leads an independent lifestyle and likes going out shopping on her own. She's only reminded of what sets her apart when she is unable to go into stores because they don't have wheelchair access. It's only those instances in which she notices her limitations. "I think it's ignorance that makes some people lump everyone living with any disability in the same boat, and that isn't fair," said Read. "I would like to go on living my life and searching for a cure for this disease, but to make this jour- ney easier, I need people to be more understanding of what MS is and how it affects my way of life." In addition to the support received from United Way of Oakville, the MS Society, Halton Chapter also receives funding from individual and corporate donors and raises funds through special events. This year, United Way of Oakville's Community Impact Fund goal is $2.25 million. To learn more about how United Way builds community capacity through its member agencies and other initiatives, please call 905-8455571 or visit www.uwoakville.org. For more information about the MS Society, Halton Chapter, please call 905-681-8770 or visit them online at www.mssociety.ca/chapters/halton. Available at: Gear up. Get in the game. Samsung a900 Motorola QTM Sanyo KatanaTM MILTON 377 Main St. East 905 878-1113 OAKVILLE Hopedale Mall (kiosk) 905 827-3115 $ 249 95 1 $ 199 95 2 $ 79 95 2 3-year contract ($649.95 no contract) Communicate in style Real-Time email, MP3 and more 3-year contract ($399.95 no contract) The hottest new phone TV, MP3 and more 3-year contract ($279.95 no contract) Think thin Camera and Bluetooth® Mobility your connection to everything NHL®: · Exclusive daily video highlights3 · Text alerts of scores and stats by team or player4 · Team images and logos, hockey-themed ringtones · NHL 5-on-5TM 2007 downloadable game Gordon: Frank, what's an MVP? Frank: Most valuable phone... of course. Visit a Bell retailer near you. bell.ca/wireless l 1 888 4MOBILE Offer ends November 9, 2006. Available with compatible devices, within Bell Mobility 1X and/or 1xEV-DO coverage areas where technology permits. Other monthly fees such as 9-1-1 (75¢/month) and system accesswhich are not government fees ($8.95) and one-time activation ($35) apply. With any download, content and usage of Mobile Browser service fees may apply. Early termination fees apply. Subject to change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer. Taxes extra. May not be as shown. Other conditions apply. (1) Available upon new activations on a 3-yr term agreement on any voice plan & min $60 E-mail & Internet data feature. (2) Available upon new activation on a min. 3-yr term agreement on postpaid voice or data plans. (3) Content includes clips and highlights, no live TV. Excludes MobiTV. (4) Subscription fees may be extra. NHL is a registered trademark and NHL 5-on-5 and the NHL Shield are trademarks of the National Hockey League. Motorola and the stylized M logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. © 2006 Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved. Katana is a registered trade-mark of Sanyo Inc. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc. Functionalities may vary, see user guide.