National Achievement Winner, Kathleen Wilson.

"I was diagnosed with MS in 1988 but I had a seven year remission and completely forgot about it," said Kathleen Wilson, winner of the 2006 National Achievement Award. She continued working in marketing and advertising and she traveled, nurturing her love of photography. But suddenly in 1995, things got worse. Wilson moved to be with her parents and had to use a wheelchair.

"I was so disappointed ... and very isolated," she said. About this time she saw a television interview with Christopher Reeve. "It turned me around. He affirmed that we help others by example. Fatigue sapped my energy but I still had lots of ability. My life was worth something." So Kathleen got a computer.

"I wasn't ready for face-to-face meetings. I went online looking for support. There were chat rooms but nothing for MS. I decided to make my own and on July 10, 1996, I posted a notice on the Internet for a chat about MS. Six people responded."

That was the start of MSWorld.org. "Now we have 20,000 visits a day," she said. Along with a volunteer staff (all of whom have MS), Kathleen brings her message--"patients helping patients" and "wellness is a state of mind"--to every aspect of the site which now includes chat rooms, message boards, e-mail groups, and an online magazine, LivingMS, plus a translation program offering nine languages.

Since 2001, the Society has partnered with MSWorld to offer its valuable resources to everyone who visits the Society's Web site. To connect, click on the smiley face or push pin icon at the bottom of every page.

"MSWorld is a family," Kathleen said passionately. Webmaster Liz Thompson said, "I finally found a great way to help others and, not surprisingly, help myself along the way."

2006 National Conference coverage by Martha King, Rochelle Kraut, and Gary Sullivan.