On March 5th The Livonia Family YMCA and Georgi Byrem-Ryktarsyk were honored to receive the MS Champion Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This award is presented to individuals or organizations that have had an extended history of impacting the lives of people with MS and their families through programs that improve their physical, emotional, occupational, spiritual, or intellectual wellness. Georgie, and the rest of Livonia’s amazing team, deserve recognition for their impact and achievement in bringing this special award to Livonia.
The Group Exercise of Multiple Sclerosis (G.E.M.S) support group was founded in 1993 at the Livonia Family YMCA. The group spends the first part of their meeting in the pool with Georgi doing water aerobics, and then uses the facility to conduct a self-help portion of their meeting. This has been a wonderful partnership for the past 23 years. Many members look forward to seeing Georgi on Fridays and appreciate having another place in their community to call ‘home.’
As a recipient of the MS Champion Award, the Livonia Family YMCA will serve as an ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in order to increase public awareness of the Society’s services, programs, and impact.
To learn more about their amazing work, check out the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Website