MS Entrepreneurs Recipients

Congratulations to our newest MS Entrepreneurs recipients!

MS Entrepreneur: Tara Patterson
Project: Hoot (Horses Offering Occupational Therapy) for MS
Project Overview: This exploratory pilot study will investigate changes in gait, balance confidence, fine and gross motor skills, self-esteem and quality of life of 8 individuals living with MS. The participants will engage in a therapeutic riding treatment led by a licensed OT, who is certified as a therapeutic riding instructor. The results of this exploratory pilot study will also provide data to support a larger funded study as well as lead to publications to further expand the knowledge to support therapeutic riding for individuals living with MS.

MS Entrepreneur: Dr. Farhat Husain
Project: MS/Women's Issues Conference
Project Overview: MS most frequently affects women who are often young, with multiple responsibilities. The disease and the treatment play an important role in reproductive issues, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships and work situation of women with multiple sclerosis. Our project, using a team approach, will provide in-depth education and information to patients with MS through a one-day conference in Oklahoma City.

MS Entrepreneur: Balette Hines
Project: Put Your Best Foot Forward
Project Overview: Put your best foot forward is a fashion show event that is put together to raise money in order to donate to individuals living with MS. More details to come!

MS Entrepreneur: Brandi Sibert
Project: Home Gardening/Disability Access for MS
Project Overview: Many folks with MS would like to start their own flower garden but are unable to and others that do not have easy access out of their homes (such as a stable deck, ramps, railings). I would love to create accessible potted plant gardens on decks so they can have easy access to watering and caring for their flowers.

MS Entrepreneur: Emily Geery
Project: On the Move
Project Overview: Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico offer many beautiful hikes. This project will provide an opportunity for people with MS to meet and hike with other people with MS. The hikes provide an opportunity for people with MS to hike, receiving assistance from trained trip leaders, practice yoga, meet other people affected by MS, and enjoy the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of hiking in a safe environment.

Past Recipients

MS Entrepreneur: Claire Lindsay
Project: MS Olive Fit
Project Overview: To "allow people with limited energy and physical agility the option of working out at their home when they can pace their activity to coincide more appropriately with their energy peaks and valleys." Claire is offering MS Olive Fit, a yoga program available on DVD. Claire is a certified Wholyfit instructor who leads movements adapted for people living with MS. Claire also led the creative development of the Olive Fit workout DVD. You can learn more about the program and order the DVD by visiting the Website: www.olivefit.org.

MS Entrepreneur: Dorinda Harper
Project: East Texas Empowerment with Education Conference
Project Overview: East Texas, an area forty-six counties strong, is a rural community that lacks education opportunities related to diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Dorinda states in her application, “these communities tend to have limited access to high-speed internet and webcast and/or teleconferencing capabilities.” Dorinda is meeting this headon by establishing an educational conference in her community to share information on current research, caregiver resources, financial planning and more.

MS Entrepreneur: Cynthia Leonard/The Brazoria County Master Gardner Association
Project: Enabling Gardens of Texas
Project Overview: In continuation from last year, The Enabling Gardens of Texas will create a gardening environment that is accessible to everyone and teach how accessible gardens can be created at home. Gardening is an activity that can help improve physical strength and mood. It is also effective in improving conginutive function. Through Enabling Gardens, everyone should be able to enjoy gardening, regardless of ability level.

MS Entrepreneur: Jinjer LeVan
Project: MS Symptom Experience Suit
Project Overview: With an initial grant of just $500, Jinjer was able to provide community outreach to over 2,000 people through use of the MS Symptom Experience Suit. Through demonstrating what MS symptoms feel like, Jinjer is able to build awareness in a lasting and powerful way. In the second year of the program, Jinjer expanded the program into five new communities by recruiting leadership volunteers who will work year-round to build awareness with their MS Symptom Experience Suits.

MS Entrepreneur: Rana Russell
Project: MS Aquatics Therapy
Project Overview: As a certified Aquatics instructor, Rana has seen the impact wellness classes can have in the lives of people living with MS. Identifying this as an exciting volunteer role, Rana will recruit volunteers, who have a connection to MS, to teach a minimum of 40 classes per year in exchange for a certification in aquatics. According to Rana, “most health clubs only offer aquatics classes to healthy adults, seniors and those with arthritis.” She has targeted the communities of Brownsville, Beaumont, Buda, San Antonio and Texarkana, all of which do not currently offer aquatics in their wellness class schedules.

MS Entreprenuer: Paula Joiner
Project: MS Lone Star Classified
Project Overview: MS LONE STAR CLASSIFIED is a shopping and networking resource for people living with multiple sclerosis, providing them with the ability to participate in buying, selling and trading in e-commerce of both new and gently used products. Also featured are businesses that sell supplies, products and services to those with disabilities and illnesses. The goal is to make life easier by providing this resource to the Internet-savvy online shopper.

MS Entrepreneur: Jerry Myerson
Project: Great Freedom through Bathroom Renovations
Project Overview: Using his expertise as a professional contractor, Jerry was able to help Eric Martinez, an individual living with multiple sclerosis, remodel his bathroom to meet his needs at no cost to Eric.