Since 1984, Can Do MS, formerly The Jimmie Heuga Center for Multiple Sclerosis, has been at the forefront of promoting the culture and belief that everyone living with MS has the power to live full lives. Our organization honors the legacy and beliefs of founder Jimmie Heuga, a pioneer in the MS care management field who was diagnosed with MS in 1970. At the time of his diagnosis, and in line with conventional medical wisdom of the time, Jimmie was advised to avoid physical activity to manage his condition and preserve his health. Being the high-caliber athlete and rebelling against his prescribed sedentary lifestyle, Jimmie began developing his own program of exercise, nutrition and mental motivation to improve his physical condition and outlook on life with MS.
TRANSFORMING THE FIELD OF MS CARE MANAGEMENT
As Jimmie’s condition improved, he not only realized the power of exercise, nutrition, positive thinking and movement to enhance his life with MS, more importantly, he realized that by focusing on what he could do rather than what he could not, he was able to go beyond perceived limitations to live his best life with MS. Jimmie’s mind, body and wellness-based approach to managing and enhancing life with MS changed the way the MS field viewed and treated MS. Today, as researchers continue to seek a cure for MS, Can Do MS’s interdisciplinary approach continues to fill a unique gap in the continuum of MS care management.