At first thinking she was coming down with the flu, all she wanted was her mom, Jo, by her side to do all those things that moms do to make you feel better. But, shortly after her mom arrived, Jo whisked her off to the hospital. After seeing a battery of doctors who ran what seemed like endless tests for over a week, an MRI and a spinal tap ultimately showed a definitive MS diagnosis.
Now 17, Kaley considers living with the disease to be a blessing in disguise. In large part, MS has helped her to achieve the level of clarity, wisdom and focused leadership that most people work a lifetime to achieve.
Today she is the founder and executive director of one of the only non-profit organizations dedicated to raising awareness about multiple sclerosis specifically among children and teens. The organization is aptly named Youth Against MS.
YAMS, Inc., which has an official board of directors and is run completely by people in high school, has raised over $115,000 since it first began as an Walk MS team in 2000. All of the proceeds have been directed toward the National MS Society to support MS research and fund services to enhance the lives of people with MS. Kaley also speaks to teens and adults from around the world about her personal experiences in living with MS.
Kaley's remarkable achievements and resolve to find a cure for MS in her lifetime have inspired many people, among them Annette Funicello and her daughter Gina Portman. Annette too is living with MS. As a result, the Annette Funicello's Collectible Bear Company has designed a very special angel bear in Kaley's honor. The bear was created by celebrated teddy bear artist Sandy Knapp and Annette.
The Kaley Bear sports the National MS Society lapel pin in its ear. Annette added a new MS bear in 2004, an angel bear honoring Babs Pasternack, a Walk MS Team captain and volunteer with the Southern California Chapter.
Now in college at UCLA, Kaley is grooming her brother Leor to take her place. To keep the program self-perpetuating and geared toward young people, the organization started Junior YAMS, Inc. Each board member mentors a younger person for a year. That junior member then takes his place when they graduate.
Kaley was awarded a 2004 National MS Society Scholarship and has aspirations to become a doctor who specializes in alternative medicine and a motivational speaker.
About living with MS, Kaley says, "MS was given to me for a reason. It was meant for me to learn from it, grow with it and touch others. It is giving me a purpose in life."
For more information about Youth Against MS or how to join or sponsor Kaley's Walk MS team, visit www.YouthAgainstMS.org.