Category Archives: Team MSAA

Team MSAA: Building Community, Strength, and Support

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At the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), community is at the heart of everything we do. One of the inspiring ways we aim to bring community to life is through Team MSAA– an organizational initiative that encourages individuals to come together through endurance events for the purpose of improving the lives of people affected by MS. Members of Team MSAA include those living with MS, care partners, friends, family members, and advocates who want to make a difference. Each member plays a vital role in advancing MSAA’s mission of Improving Lives Today.

One story that has moved our hearts is that of Jessica Chittenden and Joseph Kiernan, siblings who ran in the 2026 Walt Disney World® Half Marathon presented by State Farm to honor their father, Patrick Kiernan, while also raising funds for MSAA’s programs and services.

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Ashley’s Journey: Team MSAA and Ironman World Championship

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In 2017, Ashley Norton received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and set a remarkable goal: to compete in the Ironman World Championship – all 140.4 miles of it.

This dream of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles naturally required her to manage significant challenges. As a single mother living with MS, she was navigating this new diagnosis and motherhood while also having undergone six heart surgeries and requiring two pacemakers due to lifelong heart complications.

Her journey was defined by resilience, persistence, and unwavering determination. This past October, Ashley achieved her goal by crossing the finish line at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. MSAA had the opportunity to speak with Ashley about her diagnosis, her journey to Ironman, and her experiences being on Team MSAA.

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Team MSAA and runDisney Participant Highlight: Ashlei Brown

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Four years ago, Ashlei Brown ran her first endurance event as part of Team MSAA. The view was about as good as it could get – EPCOT.

In July, Ashlei shared her struggles with a severe MS flare that she experienced in 2020.

“2020 I was in the biggest episode of my life, hardly able to walk. I was stressed about moving my family across state lines from Florida to Tennessee into unfamiliar territory with no extended family to lean on… in the middle of COVID. My MS is completely under control now, thanks to the amazing people at @VUMChealth.

I think it’s time to run again for @MSassociation”

We wanted to hear more about Ashlei’s journey with Team MSAA, and what inspired her to run again at Disney.

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