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CAN DO®

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 5:30pm.

General Info - 5 Days that Transform Lives

The Heuga Center's renowned five-day CAN DO Program takes a whole-person approach to managing MS. Participants and support partners become fully involved in creating a personal lifestyle program based on specific needs and goals.

The Program empowers people to focus on what they can do, instead of what they cannot, by emphasizing general health, physical fitness and psychological well-being. It teaches individualized lifestyle strategies that include exercise, nutrition, self-management, social interaction and support. The extensive component for support partners addresses their individual needs and concerns and educates them about the disease.

Comprehensive

  • Individualized health/wellness program created for each participant
  • Seminars, individual consultations, and exercise workshops with a team of 45 MS specialists
  • Development of effective personal and professional goal-setting strategies
  • Learning to integrate wellness activities into daily life

Personalized

  • Limited to 25 participants and their support partners
  • An intimate, nurturing environment that allows for personal attention and care
  • Participants come away with individualized lifestyle recommendations

Valuable

  • Highly qualified multidisciplinary staff
  • 45 hours of individualized attention and educational seminars

Accessible

  • CAN DO Programs are offered regularly throughout the U.S.
  • Staff is available to answer follow-up questions via phone or e-mail
  • Regular website updates

Program

  • Five days
  • 45 hours of individual and group workshops, seminars and assessments
  • Limited to 25 participants and their support partners
  • Served by 45 MS specialists

Program Fee

  • $2,000 - Scholarships are available. Apply today.
  • Includes a complete program for support partners
  • Includes all meals, program components and materials
  • Does not include transportation or lodging

Programs fill quickly. Please apply by the application deadlines. Apply now

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FAQs

1. What will happen over the course of the five days at a CAN DO program?
The CAN DO Program is comprised of individualized consultations, lectures and workshops. The Program empowers people to focus on what they can do by emphasizing general health, physical fitness and psychological well-being. The programs address individualized lifestyle strategies that include exercise, nutrition, self-management, social interaction and support for the person with MS and their support partners. The extensive component for support partners addresses their individual needs and concerns and educates them about the disease. For a specific outline of the five days please see the CAN DO schedule. The Heuga Center does not provide ongoing medical services or advice. We provide education in the areas of health and wellness. Our goal is to provide participants with information and an experience that empowers them to make healthy lifestyle decisions and take control of what they find important in their lives; a CAN DO attitude!

2. How do I apply for the CAN DO program?
To apply for the CAN DO Program please read and fill out the CAN DO Application in its entirety and include or request all necessary documents to be sent to The Heuga Center. Your application packet will be considered complete when all the documents have been received by the Heuga Center. Participants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and pending review of the application committee to determine if we can meet your needs.

3. What information do I include in my application packet?
Each applicant will need to provide The Heuga Center with the following:

  • A completed and signed application.
  • The Health & Fitness Screening Questionnaire.
  • A signed copy of the Cancellation Policy.
  • Medical records from both your neurologist and your primary care physician covering the last three years. Two copies of the Request for Medical Information form have been provided for your convenience.
  • A letter from your psychotherapist, if currently receiving treatment, recommending your participation in the program.

4. Why do I have to fill out an application for the CAN DO Program?
The application serves many benefits for the applicant and the Heuga Center staff. Each application is reviewed by our application committee to assure we can effectively meet the needs of the applicant before acceptance into the program. The application will also help us individualize the program to each participant’s needs.

5. When should I apply to attend the CAN DO Program?
We encourage all interested individuals to apply as soon as possible. We receive applications up to a year in advance of a program. Space is limited in the CAN DO program to 25 participants and their support partners. Please note that the application process can several weeks after the application packet is received in entirety and reviewed before acceptance.

6. What is the program cost?
The CAN DO Program fee is $2000. This covers all the program components and meals for the five days for the participant and support partner. Travel and lodging is not included in the program fee, however, there’s a discounted room rate at the host hotel. The programs services provided are valued at a much higher level. Through fundraising efforts, The Heuga Center is able to keep the program fee at the lowest possible level despite the value of services being nearly three times the program fee.

7. Do you offer scholarships?
Yes. We offer need-based scholarships for the program fee. Please apply if you feel the cost is prohibitive for you to attend. Apply today.

8. How do I apply for a scholarship?
To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the CAN DO Scholarship application in addition to the CAN DO application. Follow the instructions listed on the scholarship application and include all necessary documents. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the completed scholarship application.

9. Do I have to bring a support partner?
From our nearly 25 years of experience with the CAN DO Program we strongly encourage all participants to bring a support partner. A typical support partner could be someone who provides you with emotional, physical or other support. Some suggestions include: spouse, life partner, significant other, close friend, caregiver, parent, an adult child (18 yrs or older) or other family member. The support partner aspect of the CAN DO Program is designed specifically for individuals who have not been diagnosed with MS, but who are affected by your diagnosis. If you are not planning on bringing a support partner (or planning to bring more than one support partner) please contact Anna Ingram at the Heuga Center to discuss.

10. Does a person living with MS need to have specific limitations to attend the CAN DO program?
No. Our only requirement is that participants have an MS diagnosis. Since the CAN DO Program is so individualized to each participant’s needs, it can be appropriate for individuals with relatively mild to progressed MS. The level of disability is not as important as identifying your goals for attending a CAN DO program.

11. When are you bringing a program to my area?
Locations are determined based on different factors, such as available funding, interest and inquiries from specific locations and local community support. The Heuga Center works closely with other MS organizations to provide our programs at different locations across the United States.  Ideally, we like to plan CAN DO programs 12 months in advance. Check our Web site calendar for locations to see if there’s one in your area. In addition, you can see if other Heuga Center programs, such as JUMPSTART are in your area.

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CAN DO Flyers

Click on the links below to download and print promotional flyers for you and your friends.

CAN DO October 14-18

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Contact Info

Anna Ingram, Director of Programs
1-800-367-3101; Ext. 1280

Suzanne Vondrell, Programs Coordinator
1-800-367-3101; Ext. 1276

List of Program Staff

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2009 Dates & Locations

Programs fill quickly. Please apply by the application deadlines.  Apply today.

- Vail, Colo.: October 14 - 18   Apply now                                     Flyer
Lodge at Vail
ONE NIGHT FREE LODGING
Apply by Wednesday, August 26 and receive one night’s free lodging at the Lodge at Vail.
Last day to apply for the program is Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009.

*After we receive all required documents, each application is reviewed by an application committee. Apply early and allow enough time to submit all required documents. Contact Anna Ingram, Director of Programs, at 800-367-3101 ext. 1280 with questions.

For more information about the application process...


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How to Apply

Programs fill quickly. Please apply by the application deadlines. Apply today. 

- Vail, Colo.: October 14 - 18   Apply now    
Lodge at Vail                                
ONE NIGHT FREE LODGING
Apply by Wednesday, August 26 and receive one night’s free lodging at the Lodge at Vail.
Last day to apply for the program is Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009.

Each applicant will need to provide The Heuga Center with the following:

1. A completed and signed application.

  • Call The Heuga Center at 1-800-367-3101 to request a program application OR
  • Download CAN DO Program Application.
  • Complete the application and mail it to The Heuga Center.

2. The Health & Fitness Screening Questionnaire.
3. A signed copy of the Cancellation Policy.
4. Medical records from both your neurologist and your primary care physician covering the last three years. Two copies of the Request for Medical Information form have been provided for your convenience.
5. A letter from your psychotherapist, if currently receiving treatment, recommending your participation in the program.

CAN DO programs are limited to the 25 participants and their support partners. These programs fill quickly, so please apply by the application deadline stated above.

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Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are available for all or part of the Program fee.

Call 1-800-367-3101 or Download CAN DO Scholarship Application.

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Program Fee

  • $2,000 - Scholarships are available. Apply today.
  • Includes a complete program for support partners
  • Includes all meals, program components and materials
  • Does not include transportation or lodging

Programs fill quickly. Please apply by the application deadlines. Apply today.

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Program & Scholarship Applications

  • Download CAN DO Application - Any one interested in attending a CAN DO Program must complete a program application.
  • Download CAN DO Scholarship Application - Any one interested in receiving a scholarship must complete a program application and scholarship application.

Contact: Anna Ingram for program information - (800) 367-3101 ext. 1280

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Participant Schedule for Person with MS

You are an active participant in this program. Throughout the five days you will be asked to look at what you are learning and see how you can use the information in your life. The more you consider how you would like to integrate activities, strategies or ideas into your life, the more we can accomplish together. This schedule is based on previous CAN DO Programs, individual programs may vary.

WEDNESDAY—DAY 1
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 - 8:00 AM Registration
8:00 - 8:30 AM Welcome & Orientation
8:30 - 9:45 AM Workshop: Why Are You Here?
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Individual Health Screens
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 2:30 PM Lecture: Living with the Challenge: Psychological Aspects
2:45 – 3:45 PM Workshop: Stretching †
4:00 - 5:00 PM Workshop: Complementary & Alternative Medicine
5:15 - 6:15 PM Participant Group
Group discussion for participants only led by a Heuga Center psychologist
6:30 – 7:30 PM Dinner

† Indicates a session requiring comfortable clothing

THURSDAY—DAY 2
7:00 - 8:00 AM Physical Assessment*: Blood Chemistry—Do not eat after 10:00 PM on Wednesday in preparation for this assessment.
8:15 - 9:15 AM Breakfast
9:30 - 11:45 AM Lecture: MS: Facts, Treatment & Research
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 4:30 PM The following physical assessments will be scheduled during this time:* † Strength, Flexibility, Gait, Vision & Lung Function
1:15 - 4:30 PM One or more of the following may be scheduled during this time:* Psychological Interview, Individual Sessions with Heuga Center Consultants—Consultations are scheduled through your team leader.
4:30 - 5:30 PM Lecture: Exercise in MS
5:30 - 6:30 PM Participant Group
Group discussion for participants only led by a Heuga Center psychologist
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner

FRIDAY—DAY 3
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM One or more of the following may be scheduled during this time:* Fitness Assessment—A submaximal graded fitness assessment † • Psychological Interview • Individual Neurology Q & A • Swimming Workshop † • Educational Sessions with Heuga Center Consultants Consultations are scheduled through your team leader.
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 2:15 PM Lecture: Nutrition
2:30 - 3:30 PM Workshop † Swiss Ball
3:30 - 4:30 PM Integration Time †
4:45 - 6:15 PM Lecture: Bladder Management & Issues in Sexual Function
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner

SATURDAY—DAY 4
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM One or more of the following may be scheduled during this time:* Fitness Assessment—A submaximal graded fitness assessment † • Psychological Interview • Individual Neurology Q & A • Swimming Workshop † • Educational Sessions with Heuga Center Consultants Consultations are scheduled through your team leader.
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 2:15 PM Lecture: Where Do You Want to Start?
2:00 – 6:00 PM Summary Consultations/Practice Sessions* †
6:30 - 8:00 PM Dinner with Teams & Continutation Ceremony

SUNDAY—DAY 5
7:00 – 8:30 AM Breakfast & Good-byes
• Opportunity to say good-bye to new friends & share your thoughts about the program with staff.
• Win prizes!! Just turn in your completed feedback questionnaire & be entered to win.

* Indicates individual sessions ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour are scheduled during this block of time.

† Indicates a session requiring comfortable clothing

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Participant Schedule for Support Partner

You are an active participant in this program. Throughout the five days you will be asked to look at what you are learning and see how you can use the information in your life. The more you consider how you would like to integrate activities, strategies or ideas into your life, the more we can accomplish together. This schedule is based upon previous CAN DO Programs, individual programs may vary.

WEDNESDAY—DAY 1
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
7:30 - 8:00 AM Registration
8:00 - 8:30 AM Welcome & Orientation
8:30 – 9:45 AM Workshop: Why Are You Here?
10:00 - 11:30 AM Support Partner Session: Group discussion for support partners only, led by a Heuga Center psychologist.
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 2:30 PM Lecture: Living with the Challenge: Psychological Aspects
2:45 – 3:45 PM Workshop †: Stretching
4:00 – 5:00 PM Workshop: Complementary & Alternative Medicine
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner

† Indicates a session requiring comfortable clothing

THURSDAY—DAY 2
7:00 - 8:00 AM Optional Physical Assessment* • Blood Chemistry—Do not eat after 10:00 PM on Wednesday in preparation for this assessment. • There is an additional charge for participation.
8:15 - 9:15 AM Breakfast
9:30 - 11:45 AM Lecture: MS: Facts, Treatment & Research
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 – 2:45 PM Support Partner Session: • Group discussion for support partners only, led by a Heuga Center psychologist.
2:45 - 4:30 PM You may choose to accompany your partner to the sessions (Educational Sessions with Heuga Center Consultants) they may have scheduled during this time.*
4:30 - 5:30 PM Lecture: Exercise in MS
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner

FRIDAY—DAY 3
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 - 9:30 AM Support Partner Session: Group discussion for support partners only, led by a Heuga Center psychologist.
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM You may choose to accompany your partner to one of the following sessions that they may have scheduled during this time:* Fitness Assessment • Individual Neurology Q & A • Swimming Workshop † • Educational Sessions with Heuga Center Consultants
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 2:15 PM Lecture: Nutrition
2:30 - 3:30 PM Workshop †: Swiss Ball
3:30 – 4:30 PM Support Partner Q&A Session: Group Q&A session for support partners only, led by Heuga Center neurologists.
4:45 - 6:15 PM Lecture: Bladder Management & Issues in Sexual Function
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner

SATURDAY—DAY 4
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 - 9:30 AM Support Partner Session: Group discussion for support partners only, led by a Heuga Center psychologist.
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM You may choose to accompany your partner to one of the following that they may have scheduled during this time:* • Fitness Assessment • Individual Neurology Q & A • Swimming Workshop † • Educational Sessions with Heuga Center Consultants
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 - 2:15 PM Lecture: Where Do You Want to Start?
2:00 – 6:00 PM Summary Consultations/Practice Sessions
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner & Continuation Ceremony

SUNDAY—DAY 5
7:00 – 8:30 AM Breakfast & Good-byes
• Opportunity to say good-bye to new friends and share your thoughts about the program with staff.
• Win prizes!! Just turn in your completed feedback questionnaire to enter.

* Indicates individual sessions ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour are scheduled during this block of time.

† Indicates a session requiring comfortable clothing

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Outcomes-Measurement Study

The Heuga Center is analyzing data collected from last year’s CAN DO program participants with MS as part of its outcomes-measurement study launched in 2007. The initial analysis will determine whether the data collected from participants with MS is a large enough sample to scientifically validate the effectiveness of the CAN DO programs. Results from this analysis should be available February 2008.

Further analysis of the outcomes study is to measure the short- and long-term effects of The Heuga Center’s CAN DO programs. The study examines self-efficacy1, general health and physical activity in program participants with MS2 to determine how they incorporate the CAN DO program’s methods for managing MS in their daily lives after the program.

For 23 years The Heuga Center has received qualitative and anecdotal feedback from program participants stating that they gained positive health perception, improved satisfaction with life, stress reduction, ability to cope, and enhanced self-efficacy and sense of hope. This study’s results will quantify The Heuga Center’s impact on people living with MS.

To measure the CAN DO program’s longevity of effect, the study examines the participants’ responses prior to program participation and compares their responses one, three and six months after program participation. The Heuga Center will continue to measure the longevity of effect in all 2008 program participants and start examining participants’ responses 12 months after program participation.

The tools used to measure the CAN DO program’s longevity of effect on program participants are:

• Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale – A validated tool that assesses psychological adjustment and quality of life of individuals with MS
• Physical Activity Scale for Individuals for Disabilities – A validated physical activity survey designed to assess physical activity in individuals with physical disabilities
• General Health – Health status questionnaire that has been tested and validated extensively

1. Self-efficacy refers to one’s degree of confidence in one’s ability to perform behaviors or management strategies related to a specific situation or condition. Thus, it reflects a perception of capability rather than measuring the actual performance of the capability.

Defined by: Carolyn E. Schwartz, ScD, Linda Coulthard-Morris, MA, Qi Zeng, MS, Paul Retzlaff, PhD in a 1996 article Measuring Self-Efficacy in People with MS: A Validation Study

For example, a person with high self-efficacy may engage in a more health-related activity when an illness occurs, whereas a person with low self-efficacy would result in feelings of hopelessness.

2. The outcomes study examines self-efficacy, general health and physical activity in people with MS, not their support partners. In the future, The Heuga Center might examine its impact on support partners as well.

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Program Participant Stories

Michelle and Rick on a cruise
From Rick and Michelle K., living with MS
2007 CAN DO participants

Michelle and Rick have been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 27 years of their 28-year marriage. When Michelle decided to advocate for positive change in her life by attending The Heuga Center’s CAN DO program, Rick doubted the program would benefit him. But he attended the program as Michelle’s advocate and support partner to help her redefine herself and deal with her grief from her disease.

As Michelle learned stress-reduction techniques at one of the program’s lectures, Rick realized the importance of taking care of himself at a support-partner group discussion led by Heuga Center psychologist Dr. Rosalind (Roz) Kalb.

“I must take care of myself first so I’m in shape to take care of Michelle. This seems like a simple idea to understand, but I wasn’t sure it was okay to take care of myself,” Rick commented.

By talking to Dr. Kalb and 24 other support partners, he learned that fear is a natural feeling. The support group helped him accept his fears of the future and reach for courage to communicate his fears. The personal attention from Roz helped Rick understand how to identify and communicate his needs as a person rather than just a caregiver.

Now he can talk with Michelle about their hopeful future in front of other people without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Rick and Michelle accept and acknowledge that MS is not only her disease. MS is their disease that challenges them every day.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect from the CAN DO program. The program gave me a better appreciation for what Michelle and I are going through. I walked away from the program knowing ways that others deal with their grief so I could use these same techniques to be a better person for Michelle,” Rick explained.

Rick and other support partners are able to count on The Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis because of caring friends who give to help them learn techniques to overcome their challenges and fears. We thank you for your past gifts and hope you will again send a donation to help us.

Your support gave support partners like Rick lifestyle tools and strategies that motivate them to live healthy, hopeful quality lives for their loved ones with MS, and most importantly, for themselves.

Photo Slideshow of CAN DO Program

View the slideshow from the May 2007 program.

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