The following article was written by Lisa Carey on how the non-profit MS-Take Charge was founded and formed in the Chippewa Valley.
When Shelly Sutley of Eau Claire found herself recovering from a multiple sclerosis major relapse, she discovered there was not a strong MS medical community when she was looking for local support. The National MS Society had canceled their annual local MS Walk in Eau Claire and there are few local medical options for those with MS without traveling to Marshfield, Minneapolis, or Rochester, MN. In an effort to gain momentum she attended a few Eau Claire Fresh Hope MS Support Group meetings that meet once a month. While she relished the connection with others also finding their own paths with MS, she wanted more and saw an opportunity to provide needed resources to others like her. Valerie Bogumill, a long-time friend and assistant, has been a steadfast supporter of Shelly's vision. Together, they embraced the challenge of turning Shelly's ideas into a reality to empower individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis, giving life to what has become MS-Take Charge.
Community engagement is big on Shelly’s to do list. She was grateful for her parents' support to start the non-profit, and get it off the ground. There was a lot of behind the scenes work to do to establish connections and resources for the community. Shelly and Valerie garnered recumbent bikes for exercise as that’s a key component to a healthy person living with MS. So many good things come from exercise, while the MS fatigue tends to stop many. Shelly’s Garage became a hang out for biking while zooming in with the established MS-Just Keep Moving non-profit in Waukesha, WI, who for 12 years has provided a gym and activities for those with MS in the area of southeast Wisconsin. Once a week MSer’s in Eau Claire can join us in the power of virtual connection via Zoom, as we participate in the cycle classes happening in Waukesha!
Shelly leaned on her connections within the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire to offer community project proposals to the Service-Learning students who are required to participate with local nonprofits as a part of graduation requirements. Utilizing the UWEC student(s) has been vital in creating MS-Take Charge. Shelly assigned roles to students to help with marketing, financial and technology knowledge that is needed. A win-win was established as the help for the non-profit was essential and the students learned about MS as well as what’s needed to run a newly formed non-profit.
Lisa Carey, a local MSer from Chippewa Falls, began attending the bike zoom classes in Shelly’s Garage and ideas for the non-profit began to form beyond Shelly’s ideas. Yoga for MS was formed with local yoga therapists, Lucinda Kemmet and Nichole Cerrillo who meet once a week for stretching and core balance strengthening activities. The Fresh Hope MS Support Group in Eau Claire, led by Jody Christian, meets once a month to provide those living with MS a place to find others dealing with similar issues and offer mental health healing and diet ideas. Progress is being made to help those both newly diagnosed and for those struggling with MS for many years.
Fellow MSer, Shannon Tanzer, also from Chippewa Falls, attended a Fresh Hope meeting to promote Lakeland Therapy’s physical therapy and home health. As a new business Lakeland was having a grand opening and Shannon is a physical therapist who has also been living with MS for many years. So many idea’s began about creating a Neuro Gym in the Eau Claire area for those suffering from MS, Traumatic Brain Injuries and other neurological disorders. New hope was being spun as people began coming together to promote and provide wellness for an underserved MS community!
Partnering with Evolving Wellness in Eau Claire has been another resource offered to those with MS. Also a local non-profit, Laura Bernt at Evolving Wellness provides connections to providers, services and resources that best fit you. They offer a holistic approach to your well being and have PEMF healing treatments available which Shelly found useful for her own healing.
At a SteadiStride Lakeland Therapy event for those living with MS an idea sparked which eventually led to our collaboration between MS~Take Charge and Lakeland Therapy Clinic. Together, we created the MS Walk & Roll Celebration held on Saturday March 29, 2025 as a way to meet fellow MSers and fundraise. The funds raised will 100% stay in the Eau Claire area benefiting those afflicted by Multiple Sclerosis.
Long term goals of all involved include building a gym devoted to those who suffer from neurological diseases as a safe place to work out and find resources and community fellowship. Exercise therapy, physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, reiki therapy, music therapy and energy therapy are all resources that are needed for those living with chronic neurological issues that impact the body in so many negative ways. With the Chippewa Valley community in need of such services, that is the goal for MS-Take Charge. Taking charge is what’s happening as the program gains awareness and strength for those with MS in the Eau Claire area!