Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

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deb727 01/01/2008

One of the times I hate the most is when I go to the neuro and he makes me try to walk a straight line, heel to toe. I simply cannot do it without holding on to the wall, and even then it's hilarious to watch. It's like my legs lock up and it takes me forever to put one foot in front of the other. I'm sure many others have this same problem. My husband told me last time, "If you're ever pulled for suspicion of DUI, you're up shit creek."

I don't know if all chapters of the NMSS have these, but my local chapter will send you cards to carry in your wallet, one for this specific purpose. It lets the officer know that you have MS, and balance problems, and probably aren't going to pass the field sobriety test. The other card they send is one to show to retail store personnel in case you need to use their restroom and they seem reluctant to let you do so.

I think these cards are a great idea, and I hope that all chapters have them. Here is a link to the NMSS, at the top of the page click on "find your chapter", then type in your zip code. Probably the best way would be to call your local chapter to see if they offer these cards.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_GEN_homepage

deleted_user 01/01/2008

THANK YOU! That's a great idea!

deleted_user 01/01/2008

I tried to look it up but couldn't find it. How do you look it up?

deb727 01/01/2008

Type www.nmss.org in your search engine. When it comes up, at the very top of the page in the brown bar, is "find your chapter". Click on that and it should take you to a page where you can enter your zip code and find your local chapter. It will give you the address and phone number of your chapter, then just call them and ask if they have these cards. Good luck!!

deleted_user 01/01/2008

wow thanks, I am going to check if they do I will get some for my Support Group in Vegas

lillyrose 01/01/2008

my friend and coworker a few years ago told me the same thing your husband told you about if stopped and given dui tests ha

ChrissyH 01/01/2008

This is very important infomation that you gave. My husband is a police officer and 1 time when he asked a possible DUI to walk heal to toe. The person told my husband that he had MS and had balance problems and could not walk heal to toe. It was no big deal. He didn't have to walk heal to toe. There are lots of other assessments that can be used to determine DUI. Don't hesitate to tell an officer if you need to. Most (if not all) are schooled on various balance disorders.

deleted_user 01/01/2008

a little fyi, at least in nj, the officer is to ask if u have any medical conditions that would hinder ur ability to do any of the tests, saying ur abc's and counting numbers and of course the balance tests, i know sometimes i invert letters and numbers so that might come into play, but for the most part if u tell the officer that u have ms and if they look at u like u have eight heads cause they have no idea what it does just explain, as long as ur not drunk u should not have a problem,

ps the cards r a great idea, do u know if they have ones for travel as well

Orsova 01/02/2008

In Oz the MS Society makes you a little laminated card. On the front is the society's address and phone number and your name and photo. On the back it says this 'This card is issued to.....a person with multiple sclerosis whose picture appears on this card. From time to time a person with MS may have difficulty with balance, co-ordination or slurring of speech. Signature may also vary. Please accept the photograph of the person on this card as valid.'
Then signed by the Chief Executive and an expiry date.

It is good to have at the pub when they wont serve you because you've fallen down at the bar before you've even bought the drinks.

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