b'MM:What motivates you to do this work?NB: I have been a caregiver most of my adult life. My two sons were both born with rare chronic medical conditions. I had to learn to advocate for their care when insurance companies wouldnt cover their medications and therapies. I also learned to trust my instincts and insist that their medical providers listened to me when I noticed new symptoms or issues with their health. It has become my passion to advocate for others. It is not easy to live with a chronic disease, let alone having to nd the energy to navigate the healthcare system when you are not feeling well. I am proud that MS Focus: the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation has taken an active role in advocating for access to care. MM:Kasey, what responsibilities will you be taking on?KM: Im going to be responsible for administration, communications, and our national campaign center.MM: What does that involve?KM: Administration is all the day-to-day practicalities of keeping a nonprot running, from information technology to accounting. The communications department is responsible for all the educational materials we put out, such as this magazine, and all the ways we channel information to our clients, such as our websites, online radio station, and social media. And our campaign center is the point of connection between the organization and our network of donors and supporters.MM:What background do you have in these areas? KM: Practical experience. In my 29 years at the Foundation, Ive been directly involved in each of these departments.MM: Tell us about your history with the organization. KM: I began working for the Foundation at the age of 20, as a part-time receptionist. I came up through the ranks. Within two years, I was managing the information services department. Then, I became director of information technology. Later, I was appointed director of operations, and nally director of communications. For many years, I did operations and communications both, but as the organization grew, I really needed to specialize. So, of the departments I will be overseeing, Ive either been director of that department previously or Ive helped to write their procedures and design their software through my IT and operations work. I know the inner workings. MM:And what motivates you to do the work you do?KM: While I dont have MS, I have close friends that do, and Ive been battling another autoimmune illness since age 9. So I have rsthand experience with fatigue, pain, spasticity, depression, and other symptoms that people with MS also have. I know what its like to have your symptoms dismissed by doctors, to have to ght for a diagnosis, or to struggle to nd a medicine that works for you. I remember what it was like when I was a young mom to try to hold on to a toddler with one hand and a cane with the other on a bad walking day. Thanks to new 9 msfocusmagazine.org'