“The Flora L. Thornton Foundation was founded on Flora Thornton’s desire to enrich and give back to the Southern California community by supporting cultural and medical endeavors. As a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, we are very careful when investigating our applicants. We take the time to look at structure, operations and the people direc
From my very first experience with the Society, it was clear that those involved with the Chapter have both a desire to serve and a deep compassion for those with MS. I was diagnosed with MS more than 50 years ago and have been involved for 25 years as a Trustee. During this time, my dream to help individuals diagnosed with MS and enable them to reach their full potential has become a reality through the Eric Small Centers for Optimal Living with MS.
With the opening of the Marilyn Hilton MS Achievement Center at UCLA in 2001, the Flora L. Thornton Foundation’s key financial support allowed us to introduce alternative approaches to living well with MS that could be easily accessible and usable. There was lots of experimentation which gave us the chance to explore and develop the possibilities. Through this approach, we gained perspective on how positive lifestyle practices can help us successfully deal with the challenges that can occur with multiple sclerosis.
In 2005, the Flora L. Thornton Foundation decided to provide the funding for the newly expanded wellness programming based on the incredible success and outcome measurements at the Achievement Center. The Eric Small Centers for Optimal Living with MS now collaborates with UCLA, USC, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles and Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona. This unique program is designed for people who are both newly diagnosed and those with advanced MS to live well. The Foundation’s support of this critical program allows people with MS to build strategies for dealing with this disease in a positive, proactive way.”—Eric L. Small, MFA, CITSR2