Fums: Giving Multiple Sclerosis The Finger

Extremely hot temperatures can be unbearable for people with MS due to what is called Uhthoff's Phenomenon. This is the temporary worsening of MS symptoms caused by an increase in temperature. It's usually applied to optic neuritis and other visual symptoms but can also increase fatigue, pain, balance, weakness, bladder issues, cognitive or sensory symptoms. Imagine if there was a product that could not only help with this but which was actually designed for and with people with MS? Well… Kurtis Kracke and Brad Dunn met when they were graduate students at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. While taking part in an access technology initiative with the Rochester chapter of the National MS Society, they realized that the hot July weather was preventing members of the chapter from attending research meetings. So after collaborating with people with MS, they came up with the Undercool Cooling Vest. In this episode, Kathy talks to Kurtis and Brad about their company and their products, with a