USF Health SPTRS faculty, Dr. Jeannie Stephenson and DPT 2018 students, Ms. Ciara Hall and Ms. Kelsey Ulliman, participated in the 2016 Day of Discovery Conference, hosted by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid-Florida Chapter. This year’s conference was held at Sea World on Saturday, December 3, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.

The purpose of this event was to raise awareness of the effects of Multiple Sclerosis, share information on symptom management and connect people affected by MS. MS can affect an individual’s balance and walking and performance of daily functional activities.  Physical Therapists help people with MS to perform exercises, and balance and gait activities to improve overall function and quality of life.

Dr. Stephenson and the DPT students sponsored a booth at this year’s Day of Discovery, which focused on educating people with MS and their families about the benefits of physical therapy. They also wished to raise awareness of the USF MS STEP UP Program.  Ms. Hall and Ms. Ulliman are scholars in the MS STEP UP program which prepares Doctors of Physical Therapy with advanced knowledge and skills related to working with individuals with MS.