Issue 1 2015

The National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyAlabama-Mississippi Chapter

www.nationalMSsociety.org/ALC • (800) 344 -4867

MS CONNECTIONDr. Scott Crawford of Jackson, Miss. was one of seven activists from across the United States inducted into the National Multiple Sclerosis Volunteer Hall of Fame at the 2014 Leadership Conference.

Scott began his journey into advocacy when he moved back to his hometown of Jackson in 2006 – seven years after he was diagnosed with a severely progressive form of multiple sclerosis. Scott was shocked to learn that Jackson officials had never implemented the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), meaning the city did not have accessible transportation or accessible sidewalks.

After his attempts to educate and persuade Jackson officials failed, Scott rallied friends at local disability advocacy organizations to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Jackson for failure to comply with the ADA.

Since then, the city bus system has great-ly improved. Still, he works tirelessly to make sidewalks, bus stops and crosswalks more accessible.

“Creating a society that welcomes ev-eryone, regardless of ability, is what I’m passionate about,” Scott said.

The Alabama-Mississippi Chapter congratulates Scott on this incredible achievement.

In This Issue:

In the Spotlight............................2

2014 Annual Meeting.............3

Challenge Walk MS..................4

Telelearning Series....................4

MS Research Update...............5

Funding & Support...................6

Walk MS........................................8

Dr. Scott Crawford inducted in National MS Society Volunteer Hall of Fame

SPOTLIGHT ONPATTI STEELMAN

2014 BOARD OF TRUSTEESHafiz Chandiwala, Chairman

Coca-Cola Bottling Company UnitedFrank D. McPhillips, Immediate Past Chair

Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PCGeorge M. Trible, IV, Vice Chairman

Wells FargoLynn Lovelady, Treasurer

Energen Corporation Shannon Clemons, Secretary

Bentley Systems, Inc.

Khurram Bashir, MD, UAB John Bentley, Renasant BankTerry Brown, HealthSouth

Meredith Calhoun, Corporate Realty Associates

Trey Clegg, Brasfield & GorrieScott Crawford, PhD,Disability Rights

AdvocateTara DeSilva, PhD, UAB

John Dukes, Helmsing Leach Herlong Newman & Rouse, PC

Edmond E. Hughes, Ingalls ShipbuildingInge Johnstone, Law Offices of

F. Inge JohnstoneDoug Jones, EntergyDebbie King, MTS

Todd Lankford, Robins & MortonChristopher Leech, Regions Financial Corp.

Charley Long, IV, RetiredPaul McNeill, Merrill LynchJ. Marshall Morrissette, III, BlueCross BlueShield of AL

Ron Mumbower, PhD, First Baptist Church of Jackson

Stacie Propst, PhD, GASPSteve Reed, Go To Market Solutions

Emily Sherrill Riser, MD, Tanner Center for MS

Thomas Rockwell, Rockwell & Kaufman, LLCDave Smith, Regions Financial Corp.

Craig Snell, Carr, Riggs & IngramMark Tarr, HealthSouth

Jay Watkins, Jones Walker, LLPLee Weathers, Retired

Mitch White, Diamond Gasoline StationsPat Wiley, Mississippi Power

Patti Steelman was presented with the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding contributions to the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter. Patti serves on the Birmingham Community Board and was instrumental in the organization and execution of the first ever MS Santa project, which allowed the Chapter to fulfill Christmas wishes for more than 40 families in Alabama and Mississippi.

Patti can frequently be found making phone calls, stuffing goodie bags and assisting with day-to-day office tasks. She truly strives to make life better for all of those living with MS!

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? Visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/ALC to sign up online or call 1-800-344-4867.

SPOTLIGHT ONPATTI STEELMAN

3 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

Disability Rights Lifetime Achievement Award

Gary Edwards

Health Professional of the Year Award

Tara DeSilva, PhD

2014 Volunteer of the YearPatti Steelman

2014 Office Volunteer of the Year

Rene Chestnut

2014 Rising Star AwardSheondra Dotson

Board Service AwardJeremy DiPiazza

Clinical Advisory Committee Service Award

Emily Riser, MD

World Free of MS AwardsBurt Chandler

Greg Werchanowskyj

Above and Beyond AwardsLester Bryant

Ricci and Ed CasserlyBill and Ann DavisSheondra Dotson

Payton ElyNancy Johnson

Erin MartinJohn McDavid

Nella and Ed McGrawDiane ProthroScott Shenefelt

Craig SnellCynthia and Bill TillmanMitch and Gina White

Kevin Wyatt

ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS20

14

2014 CORPORATE PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD

2014 CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD

NUCOR CORPORATION

Challenge Walk MS: Savannah - March 6-8, 2015Presented by Merrill LynchFor more information, visit www.challengeMS.org.

Challenge Walk MS is the perfect way to connect with others who are passionate about ending MS. Join 300 of your soon-to-be closest friends on a three-day, 50 mile journey, coming together from all over the Southeast Region and beyond, helping to raise awareness and funds to end MS.

This unforgettable weekend begins in historic Savannah, Georgia traveling through scenic and beautiful areas, finishing at Tybee Island, GA. Walkers enjoy resort-style accommodations, meals and fun and inspirational evening programs.

Register today under Team Name: Alabama-Mississippi Chapter.

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867 | 4

3 DAYS. 50 MILES. A WORLD FREE OF MS.Accept the Challenge.

Connect to the information you need Free Bi-monthly Telelearning Program The National MS Society telelearning series for people with multiple sclerosis and their families aims to provide information and guidance on current matters essential to living one’s best life with MS. The series provides telelearning sessions for seven different topics, with each topic offered on two different dates and times. To register for these telelearning opportunities, call 1-800-344-4867, option 1 or visit www.nationalMSsociety.org

MS Research – Your Questions Answered: Tuesday, January 20, 2015: 6 pmThursday, January 22, 2015: 9 pm

MS and Employment: Thursdays, February 12 & 26,March 12 & 26, 2015: 7 pm

Managing MS Bowel & Bladder Symptoms: Tuesday, March 17, 2015: 6 pmThursday, March 19, 2015: 9 pm

Topics Include:Sex Ed for Grownups – Intimacy in MS:

Tuesday, May 19, 2015: 6 pmThursday, May 21, 2015: 9 pm

Gender Differences in MS: Tuesday, July 21, 2015: 6 pmThursday, July 23, 2015: 9 pm

Preparing for MS Doctor Visits: Tuesday, September 15, 2015: 6 pmThursday, September 17, 2015: 9 pm

5 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

NATIONAL MS SOCIETY FUNDS RESEARCH GRANT FOR AUBURN RESEARCHER A research goal of the Society is to Restore Lost Function. Complications associated with walking are common with MS and significantly impair quality of life. A newly funded NMSS study at Auburn University is designed to not only understand impairments in walking, but also compensatory mechanisms MS patients utilize that may interfere with rehabilitation strategies. Using novel cutting-edge imaging technologies to assess how muscle forces produce

joint movements during walking will help advance approaches in rehabilitation therapy for MS.

Dr. Wei Liu, Director of the Rehabilitation Biomechanics Laboratory at Auburn University, will be using this technology to better understand the underlying mechanism of how physical activity optimizes individual physical performance and to help MS patients learn movement strategies that will enhance walking performance. Dr. Wei will also study changes in the brain that occur as a consequence of rehabilitation therapy using brain imaging technologies in collaboration with the Auburn Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Center. To learn more about possible participation in Dr. Liu’s study, email Dr. Liu at: wzl0022@auburn.edu.

RESEARCH UPDATE

MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education. This is why the National MS Society’s scholarship program exists — to help highly qualified students who have been diagnosed with MS or who have a parent with MS achieve their dreams of going to college.

The National MS Society’s scholarship program is open to students who live with MS or have a parent who does, or to anyone living with MS who has not yet been to a post-secondary school. The scholarship program helps students affected by multiple sclerosis pursue a college or technical school education.

NOWAn MS Research Revolution

by Dr. Tara DeSilva, neuroscientist in the Department of Physical Medicine and

Rehabilitation, and the Center for Glial Biology and Medicine at UAB

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE NEARS

The deadline for the 2015-2016 Scholarship Program is Jan. 15, 2015. Applications are available online at www.nationalMSsociety.org/scholarship.

-Allie David, 2014 Scholarship recipient

“I can only hope that through this scholarship, I can lesson the burden on both my family and myself. I am grateful to be considered for this opportunity to receive such a financial blessing.”

TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-344-4867 | 6

MOBILIZING RESOURCES TO ENHANCE CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH MS

STAND AGAINST MS

EVENING OF WINES

Grants 7%

Other Revenue

2%

Contributions

6%

Special Events

13%

Bike

16%

Walk

31%

Leadership Events

25%

RESOURCESThe National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS now.

Many individuals, groups, families, community organizations and corporate partners make up the community of people who care about MS and volunteer with the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter. Each brings a different talent or skill that helps move us closer to a world free of MS.

What Can You Do?Bike, Walk & Challenge Walk

Stand Against MS

MS Dinner of Champions

Legacy of Leadership

Evening of Wines

MS Leadership Class

Advocate or Volunteer

Individual or Planned Gifts

Corporate Support

BIKE MSLEADERSHIP

WALK MS

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

7 | JOIN THE MOVEMENT: nationalMSsociety.org

FINDING SOLUTIONS TO MS THROUGH RESEARCH, PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

COUPLES RETREATS

SCH

OLA

RSH

IPS

WE ARE ACTIVISTS

RESE

ARC

H

REH

AB

& W

ELLN

ESS

KIDS CAMPS

MS SERVICE DAYS

FAMILY DAYS

SUPPORTWe help address the challenges of living with MS. The Society is dedicated to finding solutions so that persons with MS can live their best lives. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW by making every connection count.

n Direct Services

n Family Support

n Information & Education

n Advocacy

n Research

FUNDING OUR MISSION:Resource Allocation Programs

& Services

57% Research

43%

Alabama-Mississippi Chapter813 Shades Creek ParkwaySuite 100-BBirmingham, AL 35209

JOIN THE MOVEMENT ON

National MS Society Alabama-Mississippi Chapter

@ALMS_NMSS

www.youtube.com/user/alcnmss

endMS

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, & INSTAGRAM

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDBIRMINGHAM, ALPERMIT NO. 02680

Walk MS is a simple but incredibly powerful way for you to share in the hope for the future.We are busy planning the 2015 Walk MS Movement. We need your help!

Register today as a team, individual participant or volunteer.

Can’t be there on Walk day? Sign-up and participate as a “virtual” walker. www.walkms.org

February 28, 2015Walk MS: West Alabama (Tuscaloosa)

March 7, 2015Walk MS: Wiregrass Region (Dothan)

March 14, 2015Walk MS: South Alabama (Mobile)

March 21, 2015Walk MS: River Region (Montgomery)Walk MS: Mississippi Gulf Coast (Ocean Springs)

March 28, 2015Walk MS: Cullman

April 11, 2015Walk MS: BirminghamWalk MS: Hattiesburg

April 18, 2015Walk MS: Jackson

May 2, 2015Walk MS: North Mississippi (Tupelo)Walk MS: North Alabama (Huntsville)

REGISTER TODAY!