Kevin Goetz always knew that his mother would be an influential figure who would inspire him to give back to the community in a very big way. Rhoda Goetz was a vital force – a beautiful, smart, working woman who loved to shop and loved to dance. Rhoda lived with progressive MS for 11 years and Kevin remembers how it impacted the entire family. He fondly recalls his mother’s weekly visits to the beauty parlor – it was a ritual that provided her with a social circle and helped to boost her spirit. Kevin said, “Over time, as her condition worsened, it was difficult for my mom to look at herself in the mirror. She was so beautiful and always had a great figure, but being reliant on a wheelchair, she watched herself gain weight and lose muscle tone.” He continued, “When she went to the beauty parlor, she always felt better.”

In 2005, Kevin founded the Rhoda Goetz Foundation and immediately began the Rhoda Goetz Personal Care Program through the Southern California & Nevada Chapter . “With this Program, I wanted to honor my Mom’s stamina and persistence – for putting a good face to something that was really hard for her, something that was really debilitating.” The Program provides both in-home chore service as well as personal care services for men and women including: hair, skin, nail care and massage; customized self-care assessment/evaluation and coaching; and educational wellness and lifestyle programs. These services help boost confidence, retain independence, regain control over personal care and give a sense of empowerment over physical changes due to illness.

In addition to establishing the Personal Care Program, The Rhoda Goetz Foundation supports MS research that is aimed at alleviating progressive MS, specifically Dr. Steven Goldman’s research at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Kevin said, “I know that we can better understand how and why this disease is caused. I think the discoveries that we make in our research will uncover clues to a whole host of other autoimmune diseases.”