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Annual Meeting Wrap - UP

The 2011 Chapter Annual Meeting was held on Sunday, 12/4/11 at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, NJ. It was a day of encouragement, education and inspiration!  Volunteers were recognized for their dedication in providing support to the Chapter – we are always so grateful for all that they do in moving our mission forward. They cannot be thanked enough! THANK YOU!

Two captivating and informative speakers shared some of the most interesting stories in the world of MS today. World class cyclist Maureen Manley spoke about her personal battle with MS; she continues to use her cycling experience along with her education to deliver motivational presentations around the country. She leads workshops, teaches classes, designs wellness programs and consults with organizations who wish to empower both their workforce and clients.

Randall (Randy) T. Schapiro, MD presented the audience with the latest and most current research in MS. Among Dr. Schapiro’s many accomplishments, he founded the first private practice comprehensive MS Center in 1977, The Fairview MS Center, which was renamed, The Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology in 2004. He has been elected to the National MS Society Hall of Fame and has served on numerous advisory committees for them including the Medical Advisory Board. He recently was presented the prestigious Starfish Award by the National MS Society. He also serves on the International MS Society’s Medical Advisory Board. He has served five years on the National Board of the National MS Society as well as 34 years on the local board of the NMSS. He has lectured and written extensively on all topics associated with MS Management nationally and internationally.

Three interesting and informative workshops were offered: 

ADA Update: Reinstatement of a Broad Scope of Protection- Presented by Judy Keenan, Acting Director of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Newark Area Office. This workshop focused on the federal law providing equal employment opportunities for qualified individuals with disabilities, and explained how a person can file a charge of discrimination if they believe an employer has violated the law.

Living With MS: Emotional & Cognitive Factors- Presented by Kimberly B.McGuire, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, and, Monique J. Tremaine, Ph.D., Interim Director Psychology/Neuropsychology/Cognitive Rehabilitation Kessler Center for Neurorehabiliation. This workshop focused on the emotional and cognitive challenges that individuals with MS are faced with, as well as effective management of these challenges.

Yoga Demonstration – Presented by Carly Porrello-Hamlette -  When living with MS, it is essential to keep the body active and the mind relaxed.  Carly  explained how yoga can help ease the many symptoms of MS, including fatigue, muscle tension, and weakness. She demonstrated techniques to improve balance, coordination, and range of motion.

 Event Speakers

Maureen Manley

Determination and resilience have served Maureen in her many accomplishments. As a member of the US Cycling Team she won a National Championship, set a national record, earned a silver and 2 bronze medals at National Championships, competed in 3 World Championships and won a silver medal in the 1990 World Championships.Maureen’s cycling career came to an abrupt halt at the sudden onset of Multiple Sclerosis.She turned her determination and focus to a new journey, exploring ways to integrate her Mind, Body and Spirit in order to create optimal health and peace of mind. This inquiry led her to gain knowledge and understanding from a variety of fields, including: mind-body sciences, behavior sciences, faith based traditions, psychology, meditation, life coaching, and system’s theory. The application of her learning’s led her to a deeper understanding that true change and transformation originates from the inside. After completion of a Master’s Degree in Integrated Wellness, Maureen established her private practice and return to her much-loved sport of cycling. She currently delivers motivational presentations around the country, leads workshops, teaches classes, designs wellness programs and consults with organizations who wish to empower both their workforce and clients.

Randall T. Schapiro, M.D.

    Randall (Randy) T. Schapiro, M.D. was born and raised in Minnesota. After graduating from Occidental College (Los Angeles, CA) in Biology, he graduated from the University of Minnesota Medical School. He trained in internal medicine at the Wadsworth VA Medical Center (UCLA) in Los Angeles and then in neurology under A. B. Baker, M.D. at the University of Minnesota. Following a short stint as a faculty member and director of the MS Clinic at the University of Minnesota he founded the first private practice comprehensive MS Center in 1977, The Fairview MS Center, which was renamed, The Schapiro Center for Multiple Sclerosis at the Minneapolis Clinic of Neurology in 2004. He was the first elected president of the Consortium of MS Centers, an organization which he helped found. He has participated in the development of the Heuga Center (now called Can Do MS), a wellness center for MS based in Colorado and was given their “Can Do” award. He has been elected to the National MS Society Hall of Fame and has served on numerous advisory committees for them including the Medical Advisory Board. He recently was presented the prestigious Starfish Award by the National MS Society. He also serves on the International MS Society’s Medical Advisory Board. He has served five years on the National Board of the National MS Society as well as 34 years on the local board of the NMSS. He has lectured and written extensively on all topics associated with MS Management nationally and internationally. He retired from private practice in 2009 to devote more time to teaching and consulting on topics related to MS. While he has participated in numerous research studies he is best known for his educating and patient management style often using humor to teach some sensitive topics.