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Doctor;                                               Please give copies to all appropriate patients.

The Transverse Myelitis Association (TMA) exists to help you care for your patients, to help your patients care for themselves, and to help them care for others.

For Doctors: We can provide you with resources. We have assembled medical publications on the diagnosis, acute and chronic care (medical and psychiatric), and prognosis for those with TM. All of this is available to you on our web site: www.myelitis.org. Please begin with “About TM”. Three papers provide the latest medical information available. We also advocate for those with Recurrent Transverse Myelitis, ADEM and Devic’s Disease.

Our primary research facility is the Johns Hopkins Transverse Myelopathy Center (JHTMC). I call it “ours” because it exists for us. In addition we have a medical advisory board with members across the country in a number of specialties. You can consult with them.

For Patients and Doctors: TMA and JHTMC co-sponsor a Symposia. They offer CMEs through Johns Hopkins and focus on acute therapies, the potential for restorative therapies, as well as symptom management strategies for these conditions. Patients are welcome in all sessions, which also include patient-oriented topics. If you are interested in attending, please contact me.

For Patients: I am John Craven, Idaho Support Group leader. I am part of TMA because I have TM. I have felt the paralysis, confusion, ignorance, and fear. I’ve felt the isolation and depression. When I “discovered” TMA my life turned on again. I didn’t understand how alone I was. I wish I could have called someone that first night.

Please call me. I’ll answer the questions I can, talk about how it feels, but mostly listen and understand. I can connect you with others in Idaho, or anywhere in the country, or 60 other countries! Our web site is in many languages.

We are all prone to suffer depression and isolation. A phone conversation with another of us makes a tremendous difference.

Membership is free, with no obligation of any kind. It’s good to join so you’ll get the newsletters and directory, and so you belong. TM took away my job, social circle, and activities. TMA has given me a whole new family. You’re always welcome, and we always understand.