Director Mike West, says Stiff Person Syndrome Association was formed by passionate individuals who no longer want to be invisible.

The S.P.S.A. was founded by people who suffer from this chronic illness, their families, friends, and caretakers. He is one of the founders who was diagnosed on July 12, 2001, with Stiff Person Syndrome.

West says, "I could not comprehend the episodes of spasms that occurred in twenty-four hours a month prior. Here I was, a thirty seven year old male, who became one of six hundred people in the United States diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome. What was I to do?"

Stiff Person Syndrome primarily affects individuals in their third to fifth decades of life. He has been determined to address the statistics head on, as have others who have been afflicted with this terminal illness.

The S.P.S.A. exists to provide support for all of those whose lives are touched by Stiff Person Syndrome. Our goals also include increasing public awareness as well as raising funds for SPS research by utilizing the resources and talents of our world wide members.