Fall 2014 MSConnection: South Central edition

FALL 2014

M o v i n g T o w A r d A w o r L d F r e e o F M S

OvercomingIsolation andRestoringConnectionKaren Swarts’ triumph and new outlook on life

Double DareVolleyballDoubles Impact

Walk Team Begins In TheClassroom

Back To Schoolfor 2014 Scholars

Arkansas • Louisiana • New Mexico • Oklahoma • Texas

1-800-344-4867NationalMSSociety.org

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society does not endorse products, services or manufacturers. Such names appear here solely because they are considered valuable information. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society assumes no liability for the use of contents of any product or service mentioned.

Information provided by the Society is based upon professional advice, published experience and expert opinion. Information provided in response to questions does not constitute therapeutic recommendations or prescriptions. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society recommends that all questions and information be discussed with a personal physician.

We mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

if You or SomeoneYou Know Has MS

Studies show that early and

ongoing treatment with an

FdA-approved therapy can

reduce future disease activity

and improve quality of life for

many people with multiple

sclerosis. Talk to your health

care professional or contact

the national MS Society at

nationalMSsociety.org or

1-800-344-4867 to learn

about ways to help manage

multiple sclerosis and about

current research that may one

day reveal a cure.

MS SToPS PeoPLeFroM Moving

we eXiST To MAKe SUre iT doeSn’T. Join THe MoveMenT®

Board of Trustees ChairmanERNEST JOHNSON

HOuSTON, TEXAS

TreasurerDON McCORMACK

HOuSTON, TEXAS

SecretaryDAVID CARDERTuLSA, OKLAHOMA

Regional Executive Vice PresidentMARK NEAgLI

Fall 2014VOLuME 8 • ISSuE 4

ARKANSASLittle Rock

1100 N. University, Ste. 255Little Rock, AR 72207Phone: 501-663-8104

LOuISIANAMetairie/New Orleans

4613 Fairfield St.Metairie, LA 70006

Phone: 504-322-3790

NEW MEXICOAlbuquerque

3540 Pan American Fwy NE, Ste. F

Albuquerque, NM 87107Phone: 505-243-2792

OKLAHOMAOklahoma City

730 W. Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 103Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Phone: 405-488-1300

Tulsa4606 East 67th St., Ste. 103

Tulsa, OK 74136Phone: 918-488-0882

TEXASAmarillo

3350 Olsen Blvd., Ste. 1700Amarillo, TX 79109

Phone: 806-468-8005

Austin9600 N. Mopac, Ste. 150

Austin, TX 78759Phone: 512-340-2700

Houston8111 N. Stadium Drive, Ste. 100

Houston, TX 77054Phone: 713-394-2900

Lubbock3610 22nd St., Ste. 301

Lubbock, TX 79410Phone: 888-999-7992

Midland1031 Andrews Highway, Ste. 201

Midland, TX 79701Phone: 432-522-2143

North Texas2105 Luna Road, Ste. 390

Carrollton, TX 75006Phone: 469-619-4700

San Antonio9830 Colonnade Blvd., Ste. 130

San Antonio, TX 78230Phone: 210-694-3200

South Central Offices

Individuals interested in being considered for nomination to the Board of Trustees should submit a letter of interest and a biography, along with full name, mailing address, email address and phone number. Nomineeswillbenotifiedofboardmemberexpectations,responsibilities,andfiduciaryandtimecommitments. Final candidates will be interviewed by

a member of the Governance Committee. Nominations for the Board of Trustees must be submitted by Nov. 15, 2014 to: Mark Neagli ([email protected]) National MS Society 8111 N. Stadium Drive, Ste. 100 Houston, TX 77054

Nominees for Board of Trustees Now Being Accepted

Moving Toward a world Free oF MS 3

The connections we make are stronger than the connections MS can destroy. Get connected with the MS community through events, peer support, wellness, volunteer opportunities and advocacy. For questions about any of the items on our calendar, or to learn about self-help groups and wellness classes, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit nationalMSsociety.org.

geT ConneCTed

OCTOBER3-5 Family Discovery Camp, Burton, TX

4 Walk MS: Muskogee, OK4-5 Bike MS: Dat’s How We Roll, LA

10 On The Move Luncheon, Dallas, TX11 Walk MS: Stillwater, OK

11-12 Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River, TX14 Can Do MS Webinar: Navigating the

Healthcare Maze with Your Healthcare Team15 MS Entrepreneurs Grant Application Deadline

16 Volunteer Orientation18 Walk MS: Waco, TX

21 Make Your Mark Day: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio23 Uncorking the Cure for MS, Tulsa, OK

25 Walk MS: Ardmore, OK,The Woodlands, TX, Sugar Land, TX

26 Walk MS: Austin, TX

CalendarMS NOVEMBER

6-8 2014 Society Leadership Conference, Fort Worth, TX

9 Walk MS: Downtown Houston, TX11 Can Do MS Webinar: Communicating

With Your Support Partner13 A Vintage Affair, Northwest Arkansas

14-16 MS Getaway Weekend, OK18 Make Your Mark Day: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio

20 Volunteer Orientation22 Walk MS: Kemah, TX

26 Society offices close at noon for Thanksgiving27-28 Society offices closed for Thanksgiving

DECEMBER9 Can Do MS Webinar: Adopting

Healthy Eating Habits & Managing Weight9 Make Your Mark Day: Dallas, San Antonio

16 Make Your Mark Day: Houston18 Volunteer Orientation

24-26 Society offices closed for Christmas

Make a Connection!Every connection counts. Join thousands of people supporting one

another and exploring the issues that shape your world on MSConnection.org.

For a complete list of peer connection groups, or to learn more about how to start a group in your community, please call 800-344-4867, option 1.

We are happy to introduce three new self-help groups:Livin’ With It SAN ANTONIO, TXMeets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30 pmLocation varies, posted

on Meetup.com

Contact: LYnn CoX

210-872-0418

Alexandria SHgALEXANDRIA, LAMeetings will resume

beginning this fall. Timeand Location TBd.

Contact: ANNA MOSS504-322-3781

Amarillo SHg AMARILLO, TXMeetings Time and

Location TBd

Contact: kELLI TIFFIN806-584-0388

MSConnection • FALL 20144

diY FUndrAiSing

What if a dodge ball could move us closer to a world free of multiple sclerosis? It might sound crazy, but

through Do It Yourself (DIY) Fundraising the National MS Society is able to support and encourage individuals affected by MS to use what they know and do something about MS now, even if that something is dodge ball. DIY Fundraising empowers the MS community by giving them tools to make a difference. Individuals come up with ideas and the Society gives guidance. Through these events, we are able to reach new audiences as well as raise awareness and funds for MS research and services. Mark Solari’s inspiration to make a difference came from his mother-in-law, who has lived with MS for more than 30 years. Taking care of her and seeing the disease’s effects first-hand moved Mark to want to do something. Involved with the National MS Society for many years, Mark has served on the Midland Leadership Council for six years and as Chairman for the past three years. Searching for a new and fresh way to raise funds and awareness for the Society brought Mark to DIY Fundraising. Dodge ball came to Mark’s mind because of its ability to reach across age and gender lines. This sport, which is typically played in middle school physical education classes, especially appeals to young professionals who enjoy friendly competition with their peers. Thus, the Double Dare Dodgeball tournament was born. This past spring marked the 2nd Annual Double Dare Dodgeball tournament in which 22 teams of eight people competed in a World Cup style tournament at the Midland College Recreation Center. Teams consisted of office-mates from rivaling companies, police and fire departments, local businesses, friends and families.

Teams showed their spirit through fun costumes like tutus, tube socks and nerdy attire in hopes of winning the Best Uniforms award. Other awards included Top Fundraiser, Bracket Winner and Runner-Up. Originally set to bring in $12,000 this year, Double Dare Dodgeball more than doubled their fundraising goal and ultimately raised $27,575 to support the National MS Society. There were many factors that contributed to this event’s success, including the local community’s support. Through in-kind donations, Mark was able to keep expenses down and donate more money to the Society. “A tip for a successful DIY fundraiser is leveraging local vendors that you have relationships with and inviting

them to participate in the event,” shared Mark. For example, he invited local media and news stations to participate in the tournament in exchange for radio spots, media coverage and advertising in the Midland community. Furthermore, he created varying corporate sponsorship levels ranging from $500 to $1,500. He also

acknowledges the help of his event committee and Sharon Ziegler, Strategic Philanthropy Senior Manager at the Society, for the success of this event. The flexibility with DIY fundraising is what makes these events so fun. Anyone can utilize their skills and talents to create their own spin on fundraising. Together, we can connect and empower one another to make an impact for the MS Movement.

Have a great DIY idea? Want to start your own DIY event? Go to nationalMSsociety.org/DIY or contact Sharon Zeigler at [email protected].

Making an Impact With a Dodge Ball


P r o g r A M S

Taylor Martin’s earliest memories are of begging her mother to take her to the park. “My friends would

always go with their parents, and I couldn’t understand why my mom couldn’t take me. I would get so sad and angry at her, but looking back now I realize it was just as hard on her to say no as it was for me to hear it.” MS is a disease that affects the whole family. For a child, the impact of MS can be particularly difficult, especially when circumstances turn a child into a caregiver. Taylor continues, “Simple memories all kids should have – that’s what I lost to MS. What I got in exchange were memories full of ambulance rides, hospital stays and prescription bottles. My father worked long hours for too little money, and my mom couldn’t get out of bed. I had to take care of her when I was just a child myself. I learned to grow up quick.” The effects of a chronic disease on a family can be devastating; the financial and emotional toll it can take go beyond the physical effects. However, the National MS Society has programs in place to help the whole family live their best lives with MS. From connection programs that help individuals feel less isolated and more supported, to long term services and

support that give families relief, the Society is keeping families moving. One program that has provided help to families like Taylor’s is the National MS Society Scholarship Program. Each year, the Society awards scholarships to new and

returning college students who are impacted by MS. The Society recognizes the tremendous

financial burden that MS can place on a family, so the scholarship

is a way to help ensure that MS does not stand in the

way of an education. However, the impact of the scholarship program goes beyond financial as the Scholarship provides a community of support, mentorship and opportunity.

Despite the challenges of having to grow up

too quickly, Taylor was able to hold onto hope. She

used her life experiences to push herself and become a more

compassionate person. In 2014, Taylor, from Tulsa, Okla., received a Top

Scholar Award. This special four-year scholarship given by the National MS Society to the top 10 percent of scholarship applicants in the country. Another scholar from South Central received a Top Scholar Award this year: Catherine Wythe from The Woodlands, Texas. In addition, the South Central Region of the Society

BarbaraDeLeon Barton

2014 MS Scholarships Provide More Than Just Funding

Catherine Wythe

Joy Jordan

Melanie griffey

Taylor Martin


PAyTON EFuRD ~ Fort Smith, ARJORDyN PuLLIAM ~ Fort Smith, ARMELANIE gRIFFEy ~ Maumelle, ARTAyLOR WATSON ~ Sherwood, AR

ALAALDIN HuSSEIN ~ Chalmette, LAHAMILTON CARRIER ~ Lafayette, LAMADELINE TARBELL ~ Lafayette, LA

DANIELLE THIBODEAuX ~ Mansura, LABRANSEN LANDRy ~ Morgan City, LA

JOy JORDAN ~ Singer, LAANNIE EDWARDS ~ Albuquerque, NM

JuLIA PuRRINgTON ~ Albuquerque, NMBARBARA DELEON BARTON ~ Las Cruces, NM

LINDSAy ROACH ~ Los Alamos, NMALLIE COOK ~ Ardmore, OK

KAILIN MORRISON ~ Edmond, OKgEORgE BROOKS ~ Maysville, OK

WyATT STANFORD ~ McAlester, OKTAyLOR MARTIN ~ Tulsa, OK

ASHLEy REEVES ~ Woodward, OKLEXI CORONADO ~ Alamo, TX

RACHEL CENDRICK ~ Arlington, TXMEgHAN ROPER ~ Austin, TX

SASHA FLOWERS ~ Burleson, TXADRIANNA gRAVES ~ Cedar Hill, TX

JESSICA ORR ~ College Station, TXLIAM KAISER ~ Coppell, TX

AuSTIN INgALLS ~ Dallas, TXREBECCA HARDWICK ~ Dallas, TX

JACOB MAILMAN ~ Dallas, TX

JACOB MuNTzEL ~ Dallas, TXASHLEy LOWERy ~ Fort Worth, TX

LAuREN WHITNEy ~ Frisco, TXCHELSEA HARE ~ garland, TX

EMILy PENA ~ georgetown, TXKAyLEE TIPTON ~ grand Prairie, TX

COLTON LuNDEgREEN ~ Happy, TXDANIEL ROMO ~ Highland Village, TX

LAuRA RODRIguEz ~ Houston, TXCHABRIA HINES ~ Houston, TXRAFAEL KAPELL ~ Houston, TX

MACy COWART ~ Huntsville, TXPETER MCCAIN ~ Lufkin, TX

KATHERINE PRESLEy ~ Menard, TXDuSTIN PHOENIX ~ Missouri City, TX

KATHRyN FORESTER ~ Pampa, TXKyLE VARNI ~ Plano, TX

gABRIELLE WILSON ~ Princeton, TXLORyN SETTERquIST ~ Round Rock, TXNATALIE WINDOLPH ~ Round Rock, TX

REBECCA ALLESSIO ~ Royse City, TXKORTNEy LIVINgSTON ~ Saginaw, TX

SHELBy SATCHER ~ San Antonio, TXMOLLy LANSDALE ~ SanAntonio, TX

KASEy AMMONS ~ Sugarland, TXHANNAH KILBORN ~ The Colony, TX

CATHERINE WyTHE ~ The Woodlands, TXKATHLEEN DIBACCO ~ The Woodlands, TX

LAuREN KELSO ~ Tivoli, TX

Congratulations 2014 College Scholars

awarded a total of $187,130 in one-year scholarships to 61 high school seniors and 84 returning college students across the five-state region. Thanks to the generous support of donors, 75 percent of the applications received were awarded funding. “All my life MS has affected me adversely in differing degrees, but for once something positive can come out of

it,” said Taylor. “Receiving this scholarship will help me to become a doctor and make a difference in people’s lives. I know the impact my mother’s doctors have had on her. They always stayed positive for her, which is exactly what I will do one day for my patients.”

BEST OF LuCK IN yOuR FIRST yEAR!Moving Toward a world Free oF MS 7

Leadersvo L U n T e e r

Each quarter, the Leaders in the Movement: South Central program recognizes volunteers who model the culture we envision for the entire Society; a culture in which volunteers lead, inspire and educate other volunteers. Thank you to our summer Leaders, for all the work you are doing to help create a world free of MS!

Lisa & Mark MayeauxLisa and Mark Mayeaux’s involvement with the National MS Society began due to

Hurricane Katrina. The devastating storm impacted many volunteers who were scheduled to assist with a Bike MS: Louisiana training ride. After spending a morning with cyclists and other hard-working volunteers, Lisa and Mark signed up as a SAG vehicle team for Bike MS: Louisiana in 2006. They didn’t know much about MS and had no personal connection. However, by the end of the weekend they knew the MS cause was one they needed to support. Soon, the couple was volunteering for Walk MS and A Vintage Affair for MS while continuing to serve on the Bike MS committee. Lisa and Mark have gone from joining our volunteer army, to committed supporters and fundraisers with a full understanding of the effects of MS and a passion to helping all those impacted by it.

Victor SessumIn 1989, Victor Sessum was introduced to the National MS Society when the company he worked for sponsored the BP MS 150 Houston to Austin Bike Ride and

formed a team. The ride experience sparked a passion that continues to grow through his participation for 25 consecutive years – a feat only a few riders can claim. In 2006, Victor decided to volunteer for one of the Camps in South Central. That one opportunity quickly evolved into him volunteering for two camps a year, and he hasn’t missed a single one since. Victor’s leadership within the BP MS 150 and the cycling community along with his dedication to make an impact on MS now no doubt makes an immeasurable impact on our organization.

in theMovement


Neicie DeloneyNeicie Deloney joined the movement to create a world free of multiple sclerosis in 2005 when she began volunteering at a fundraising event in Louisiana. Her high-energy and upbeat personality quickly put her in high demand with the Louisiana staff. Neicie is committed to keeping the National MS Society’s mission at the forefront of her volunteer work, whether

she’s speaking with legislators to advocate on behalf of everyone affected by MS, or connecting with Camp participants, fundraisers or other volunteers. Neicie’s biggest impact within the MS community is MOVEMENT: physically, legislatively, personally. Through her leadership and dedication, she is helping move our mission forward on all fronts.


C o v e r S T o r Y


Connectingto OvercomeIsolation

Living your Best Life:

Isolation is a topic people often shy away from, but for many living with a disability this is a very real

situation people struggle with every day. Isolation can affect people emotionally, mentally and physically and cause even the simplest activities such as getting out of bed or leaving the house to be a constant battle. This isolation, spurred on by the unpredictable symptoms of multiple sclerosis, could last for days, weeks or an indefiniteamountoftime.Thisseparationfromtheoutside world can lead to extreme depression and worsened MS symptoms. The consequences of isolation are another reason why MS destroys connections, and whywemustcontinuallyfighttorestorethem. For karen Swartz, diagnosed with relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis in 1996, isolation nearly took control of her life. After slowly losing mobility, karen became homebound and increasingly depressed. She remembers feeling as though the walls of her house were closing in on her and thinking, “I don’t belong in the outside world. That is the world for people who don’t have disabilities.” For karen, her world with multiple sclerosis meant that in order for her to remain

mobile she would need a wheelchair. This new normal wasadifficulttransitionforKarenafterdecadesofenjoying an active career and social life. After an emergency surgery in 2006, karen’s depression worsened and sank her deeper into isolation. While lying in her hospital bed, karen remembers feeling helpless. “Why I am here? What is my purpose? I don’t have anything else to offer the world.” Her husband was relentlessly by her side, pleadingwithher,“Areyouevenfightinganymore?”Nomatterhowmuchherhusbandwantedtofightthisbattleforher,Karenknewshehadtofindthestrengthwithin herself. karen realized this self-isolation was causing her MS symptoms to worsen, leading her to less mobility and more fatigue. She remembers her husband taking her for a drive for some fresh air and seeing trees for thefirsttimeinovertwoweeks.Thatexperienceanddisconnect from the outside world made it clear that karen had two decisions: she could let this disease take control of her, or she could take control of this disease and her life.


Overcoming the obstacles of surgery, isolation and depression provided karen with a sense of triumph and new outlook on life. “All your life you want to get somewhere, always searching for that next thing to make you happy,” admits karen. “There is always something for us to learn and lessons we can go through.” She encourages people to connect with others living with multiple sclerosis and share similar experiences through MSconnection.org. Foranyonefeelingisolated,Karenadvisestofindthatonething that is individual to you, that motivates you to get out of bed each morning and makes you feel accomplished. “It’s that feeling that I want to share with others who live with a disability. I know what it feels like to want to shut out the world, and also how wonderful it is to feel like a contributing member of society.” karen believes that by simply going out in public in her wheelchair, she is giving hope and encouragement to others with a disability. “I want to help people realize there is no reason to let any disease cripple your spirit or love for life. Every single person has something that they are struggling with, mine is just more visible,” says karen. Despite her challenges, she remains positive, smiles at everyone she sees and shows people that despite being in a wheelchair, she is just a regular person. “I am out all the time because I wear the chair; I don’t let the chair wear me.” Since her diagnosis in 1996, karen has come full circle transforming into a dedicated and highly engaged volunteer, MS Ambassador and MS Advocate for the National MS Society. She was recently invited to represent Texas at the National Public Policy Conference in


• You don’t have to be in a wheelchair to feel the effects of social isolation. it can come from simply not having anyone with whom to connect.

• isolation can also stem from accessibility issues and fatigue, common with individuals affected by MS.

• Studies have shown that isolation is a risk factor for disease on par with smoking and obesity. Socially isolated suffer from higher rates of cancer, infection and heart disease.

• John Cacioppo, a University of Chicago social psychologist who studies the biological

effects of loneliness, has found that loneliness is tied to high blood pressure and increased stress, inflammation in the body, immune system suppression, reduced quality of sleep, and even problems with learning and memory.

• researcher Patrizia Casaccia from the graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in new York, in a Society-funded project, even found that depriving adult mice of social contact reduced the production of myelin. in MS, damage to the myelin disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body.Washington D.C. that took place earlier

this year, and her newfound passion for advocacy allows her to help others while having fun. Last year, karen led Deliver-A-Smile in Austin, a National MS Society program delivering gifts and holiday cheer to people with MS who are isolated at home or in a long term care facility. Despite her own struggles with MS, karen devotes her time to volunteering so she can help others with MS. In 2011, karen competed for the national title of Ms. Wheelchair USAandwascrownedfirstrunnerup. Her platform during the pageant, which she remains passionate about, is encouraging an active lifestyle for people in wheelchairs and motivating others to “just get rolling.” Paving the way for others, karen proves that no obstacle is too high to overcome no matter the circumstance. To answer her husband’s lingering question, karen exclaims, “I am fighting!Iamfightingformyhealth,I’mfightingformybestandmostfulfillinglife,andIknowIcanhelpothersfightaswell.”

• The Peer Connections Program allows you to search for and connect with a peer support volunteer who can provide helpful tips and emotional support for the challenges that MS throws at you. You can connect through telephone or email conversations. Find a peer by searching on MSConnection.org or by calling an MS navigator: 800-344-4867.

• Call the MS Friends helpline at 866-673-7436 and connect with volunteers living with MS when you want and need it. There is also a call-back service for family members of those living with MS.

• visit a Self-Help group in your area, and connect with a community of individuals affected by MS. Self-Help groups offer peer support, education, and resources to help you live your best life.

• Join the conversation online

at MSConnection.org. Find an online or in-person group, connect with a peer volunteer, or join a discussion board.

• Learn about everyday Matters: Living Your Best Life with MS. This 5-week in-person program helps you put positive psychology to work in your life and opens new ways for you to face and manage the challenges of living with MS. Find out if there is a program taking place near you by calling an MS navigator: 800-344-4867.

• if accessibility issues are keeping you from interacting with the world, contact the Society for resources and assistance: 800-344-4867.

• get involved! whether you decide to get involved as a volunteer, like Karen, or join an event or program, get plugged into your MS community. visit nationalMSsociety.org or call 800-344-4867.

Did you know…

get Connected...


Family Ties Lead to MS Awareness and Action

Heartfelt Inspiration Amy Robbins has been a geography teacher at Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio for 16 years. In 2013, after reading a book titled Teach Like a Pirate, Robbins was inspired to use her personal connections and passions to create a unique, engaging project for her students. While searching

for such a project, her sister, Laura Best, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. When Robbins first heard the news, she was in disbelief—she knew no one before Laura that was diagnosed with MS and knew nothing about the disease. Robbins, determined to find answers to the many questions she had, began to research the disease extensively. Robbins determination to learn

more about MS and love for her sister led to her to create a project for her students that would reach beyond her classroom walls and into the community.

Connecting the Dots Through her research, Robbins learned that MS can be linked to geography. Therefore, the vision was born to create a project to educate

wA L K M S

Laura Best began experiencing excessive tingling in her fingers in April 2013, which she assumed to be caused by stress or diet. However, as time went on, the tingling worsened and she started to develop chronic pain in her back. After a visit with her doctor, and several tests and appointments with a neurologist, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in August 2013. As Best caps off one year since her diagnosis, she continues to view life from the same positive perspective she has since that day: “i think fighting MS is not only physical, but I firmly believe that the battle of this disease is attitude. if i’m going to live with MS, i’m going to be great at living the best quality of life i can.” next spring, Best will join her husband, children, sister and extended family and friends to participate in walk MS: San Antonio to get us all closer to a world free of MS.


her on the topic of geography, as well as seeking out answers to questions about MS. The students and Robbins would dig deeper into the topic of MS and explore their individual interpretations of the reasoning behind the effects that geographical location has on those living with MS. Reflecting on what led to the project, she admits “I can’t do a lot for my sister, but I can teach my students to understand geography and to think and ask questions that someday may inspire one of them to find a cure. That is my hope; that is my prayer.”

A Vision Comes to Life It was important to Robbins that her Global Citizen students experienced first-hand the importance of raising funds to drive awareness and research efforts. In September 2013, Robbins kicked off the project with a fundraising competition. Through a penny drive, bake sales and T-shirt sales the students raised $2,500 in four months, which they donated to the National MS Society to support programs, services and research that help people living with MS to live their best lives. For the next part of the project, the students focused on raising awareness about MS. The process began with students researching the disease and then looking at the demographics and geographic locations of individuals diagnosed with MS. Each student chose a topic related to the relationship

between geography and multiple sclerosis and conducted research using concepts such as climate, location, settlement patterns, migration, economic development and government. Armed with their newly acquired knowledge and research findings, the students created an informational magazine to further educate the community about MS. Currently, the magazine is undergoing a review process from the National MS Society before being distributed to local neurology offices. Motivated by their experience, Robbins and her students formed a team for Walk MS: San Antonio 2014. Serving as team captain for Team WC Best Global Citizens, Robbins invited all staff, faculty and students to join; every student from her Global Citizens class registered. Additionally, the school administration hosted ‘Orange-Out Day’ as a way to celebrate their efforts and create awareness.

Continuing the Mission Robbins credits the Global Citizens class project for helping her cope with her sister’s diagnosis. She remembers feeling helpless after hearing about MS and wanting to “fix” everything for her family. Instead, she decided to turn that

energy into a vision and transformed that vision into a reality. “I have learned that even though I can’t solve the problem for Laura, I can become educated on her disease,” says Robbins. “I can try to inspire others to ask questions, make connections and find solutions.” This school year, Robbins will continue to teach the Global Citizens project to her students and incorporate the connections and insights offered by previous students who have taken the journey with her. She remains confident that the project will continue to grow and make a difference toward finding a cure for MS and also inspire a new generation to ask questions concerning many global issues that they are interested in. “My goal was to not only find a way to make geography come to life for my students in a personal way; but also to provide them with the tools and skill set they would use in their future to explore the world and the issues that are important to them.”


National Multiple Sclerosis SocietySouth Central Chapter8111 North Stadium Drive, Suite 100Houston, Texas 77054

Fall 2014 MSConnection: South Central edition

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Transcript of Fall 2014 MSConnection: South Central edition