UD's MS clinic honored by state MS society

Those honored with the Friend of the MS Society Award for donating their services to UD's MS Assessment Clinic include (standing, from left): Shelly Provost-Craig, an exercise physiologist and associate professor in the Department of Health Nutrition and Exercise Science; David Hudson, a physical therapist, expert on the biomechanics of gait and assistant professor of health, nutrition and exercise science; Gail Wells, a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist with Home Medi Corp. in Havre de Grace, Md.; Ken Seaman, coordinator of clinic education in the physical therapy department, Certified Multiple Sclerosis Specialist and founder and director of UD's MS Assessment Clinic; Steve Correa, physical therapy doctoral student; Yvonne Kneisley, an optometrist and expert in visual defects associated with MS with Simon Eye Associates in Newark; Yasmine Noorali, physical therapy doctoral student; and (seated, from left) Christine Keigley, physical therapy doctoral student and MS Assessment Clinic student manager; Matt Scott, physical therapy doctoral student and MS Assessment Clinic student manager; and Julie Sinkosky, physical therapy doctoral student.

1:14 p.m., Jan. 18, 2007--The Delaware Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has given its Friend of the MS Society Award to UD for the work being done by the comprehensive, multidisciplinary University of Delaware MS Assessment Clinic, established in 2002 by Ken Seaman, coordinator of clinic education in the physical therapy department.

The only one of its kind in the U.S., the clinic helps those with MS evaluate the extent of their illness and learn therapies for slowing its progression. First- and second-year UD physical therapy graduate students work in the clinic alongside professional physical and occupational therapists, optometrists and family counselors.

"We have now trained over 70 physical therapists in treating MS and have seen approximately 10 percent of all those in Delaware with MS," Seaman said. Recently, Seaman passed an examination and completed requirements to become the only medical professional in Delaware designated as a Certified Specialist in Multiple Sclerosis.

UD's MS Assessment Clinic offers six, free, 5-hour clinics each year. Anyone who has been diagnosed with MS at least two years can participate. Call Seaman at (302) 831-2430 to reserve a spot.

More than 1,350 Delawareans have been diagnosed with MS. As a chronic disease of the central nervous system, multiple sclerosis is unpredictable, disabling and marked by the frequent recurrence of symptoms, which can range from numbness and tingling in the limbs to paralysis and blindness. MS also produces devastating emotional repercussions because of the disease's gradual deterioration of physical functions in the prime of life.

For more information about MS, call (302) 655-5610 or visit [www.msdelaware.org].

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