ActiveMSers is actively seeking contributors in a variety of multiple-sclerosis related subjects. Contact Dave Bexfield at 890-1764 or write dave@ActiveMSers.org to volunteer articles, Q&A sessions, audio lessons, or video instruction.
Dr. Ken Seaman, PT, MA, DPT
Dr. Ken Seaman began working with individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1983 and has since become one of the country’s groundbreaking physical therapists in MS, earning an induction into the National MS Society’s Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2003.
He joined the respected Jimmie Heuga MS Center in 1990, where he is a medical staff member, and in 1999 founded a unique multi-disciplinary MS Assessment Clinic. This pro-bono clinic, which he still directs today, trains future physical therapists with an MS-specific program--nearly 100 now-practicing physical therapists have trained for at least one year in this clinic. In 2006 Dr. Seaman, a full-time faculty member for the University of Delaware physical therapy program for over 20 years, received approval to be able to offer this clinic as the first ever doctoral-level course in the world (and perhaps the only college-level course) that specifically deals with multiple sclerosis as the only subject matter.
An active member in the MS community, Dr. Seaman has been volunteering with his local Delaware Chapter of the National MS Society for the past 17 years (7 years as a board member), earning numerous awards for service in the MS field. He credits much of his MS Assessment Clinic’s success to the Delaware Chapter, and hopes other MS chapters around the country use it as a model.
Dr. Seaman received his Bachelor of Science in physical therapy (1982) and a Master’s in exercise physiology with a concentration on exercise and disability (1994) from the University of Delaware. He developed a CEU-approved, pro-bono seminar on MS that he has presented to over 1,000 individuals in the healthcare field throughout the country. In January of 2006, Dr. Seaman received his doctorate in physical therapy from Temple University.
Dr. Ken Seaman of the University of Delaware
Kelly Handel Williamson, Professional Triathlete
Kelly has been a professional triathlete since 2002 and is currently one of the top American women in long-distance racing. She spent the first 3 years of her career living at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs as a member of the US Resident National Team, competing world-wide in Olympic format/focused racing. In 2002 she was named USAT Elite Rookie of the Year, along with winning the ITU Pan American Championships in Brazil. Then in 2005 Kelly turned a career-threatening bike crash—which forced a one-year layoff from racing to recover from a double compound fracture of her left arm, resulting in 3 surgeries and 2 plates in her arm—into an opportunity: long format racing.
Kelly currently is specializing in Ironman and 70.3 racing. Recent career highlights include finishing 3rd at Ironman Coeur d'Alene in 2010—her first Ironman race—in 9:39. That year she also won Branson 70.3 and Steelhead 70.3. In 2011, she won San Juan 70.3 and Buffalo Springs 70.3. She was also 2nd at Ironman Texas, finishing in the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26-mile run in 9:07. Kelly competed in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in both 2010 and 2011, finishing 15th (9:36) and 13th (9:29), respectively. How fast is that? She was the 2nd American and ran a 3:03 marathon (her running-only bests are 1:16 for the half marathon and 16:48 for the 5K).
Kelly has been involved with the multiple sclerosis community for many years and is passionate about raising awareness for MS, as her Aunt Sandy was diagnosed at age 28. Throughout Kelly’s athletic career—Kelly grew up swimming and went to University of Illinois on a swimming scholarship (studying kinesiology)—Sandy has been a huge source of inspiration and also an avid supporter. Kelly has done various fundraising efforts for the National MS Society and is avidly spreading the word of ActiveMSers. Given her profession and the parallels with being active, helping promote ActiveMSers was “something that I wanted to be a part of and help to raise awareness of such an important and proactive cause.”
Today Kelly and her husband Derick run a growing coaching business out of Austin, coaching athletes of all levels and all abilities. Her race sponsors include: Zoot, PowerBar, Quintana Roo, Recovery Pump, Reynolds, Katalyst Multisport, Road ID, ISM, Jack & Adams, Durata Training, Oakley, Advanced Rehab, Hill Country Running, Xcis Software, Go with the Flo Acupuncture. Read more about Kelly and her career at www.kellyhwilliamson.com.
No, Kelly doesn’t have multiple sclerosis, but she is channeling some of her fierce competitive spirit into raising awareness for MS.
Ripe, a high-end Albuquerque graphic design studio, put together the ActiveMSers logo at no cost. Dave has worked with the creative team, headed by Donna and Len Romano, for many years as a freelance copywriter. Since Dave's best work in his portfolio is laden with Ripe designs, it was fitting and quite generous that Ripe volunteered to prepare the logo for ActiveMSers.
Logo design is notoriously difficult. Donna and her team had the challenge of building an image that would convey a proper message for ActiveMSers. Fun, but not too cheery (we are talking about dealing with a disease here). Inclusive, but not so inclusive that the message was muddied. And the logo, ideally, would have different meanings for different MSers. Ripe put it all together.
The entire ActiveMSers logo has a feeling of action and being active. The mountain bike wheel (or is it a wheelchair wheel?) for one foot is speeding. On the other foot is a hiking boot (or a snow boot?). In one hand is a trekking pole (or a ski pole?). Binoculars hang around the neck for a sense of travel and adventure. The visor could be for tennis (or golf?). This is ActiveMSers. Even the words spill over the MSer dude like Class III rapids.
Thanks Ripe!
Ripe, a high-end Albuquerque graphic design studio, created the logo, at no cost, for ActiveMSers.
