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.
Jessica Chittenden (right), and her brother, Joseph Kiernan (middle), ran in the 2026 Walt Disney World® Half Marathon presented by State Farm to raise funds for MSAA’s programs and to honor their father, Patrick Kiernan (left).
On August 8, 1988, Patrick Kiernan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. While only five years old, Patrick’s daughter, Jessica, saw the toll MS took on her father. At the time of his diagnosis, Patrick was an optician with his own business. His initial symptoms included numbness in his right leg and inflammation of his eye (optic neuritis). He was also losing balance and stumbling. For almost 40 years, Jessica remembers her father describing his feet “feeling like cement.” Despite the taxing physical and emotional symptoms that affected Patrick, his mindset has always been a source of amazement and encouragement for Jessica.
“I knew that I wanted to help raise money for people with MS, so I began researching MS fundraisers. I saw that MSAA offers options to participate in the runDisney® endurance events, and the fundraising helps support their free programs and services. This really caught my attention, since I am a Disney lover through and through – it even led me to being a part-time travel agent – and it just seemed like a perfect marriage,” explained Jessica.
In 2025, Jessica and her big brother Joseph ran a half marathon at Disney in the presence of their entire family, in honor of their dad. Jessica shared, “During my year of training, my dad was my inspiration. I kept telling myself if he can have feet that feel like cement for almost 40 years, I can get through this 13.2-mile half marathon. He has shown me so much about power, resilience, and what the mind can do.
“My dad came to the race and he proudly cried when my brother and I crossed the finish line. And honestly, that moment meant everything. Because the truth is, every mile of that race was really for him. His strength is the reason I even believed I could try something that once felt impossible. And if there’s one thing my dad has taught me over the last 38 years, it’s that even when your body feels like cement… your spirit can still move mountains.”
This story is just one example of power and purpose in action. Jessica, Joseph, and Patrick’s story represent the strength and resilience of the MS community. It’s a reminder that when people come together with a shared purpose, incredible things can happen.
If you are looking to give back, connect with others, and make a real difference, Team MSAA may be the perfect opportunity for you. To learn more about how to join, please contact events@mymsaa.org.
