SLIPPERY ROCK - The unique challenges of Multiple Sclerosis patients, not a recent national award, is what keeps Susan Kushner Mettus interested and involved with the cause.

Mettus of Middlesex Township found out recently she will be honored as Volunteer of the Year by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for her 16 years of service to the organization. She will be inducted into the Volunteer Hall of Fame at a society conference in November.

In the past 16 years, Mettus has worked with patients, volunteered at local and national levels, offered speeches, taught classes and served on various committees related to multiple sclerosis.

She also shares her expertise with her students at Slippery Rock University where she serves as an associate professor of physical therapy. Physical therapy plays an important role in the treatment of MS because it helps patients move as well as they can for as long as they can, said Mettus.

In her work, one thing has remained constant, and that's the great patient population, Mettus said.

"Their signs and symptoms really wax and wane," she said. "MS presents unique challenges to them."

Many patients are well for a long time before symptoms reappear, for example. This proves difficult to treat and extra frustrating for the patients, Mettus added.

"There is nothing predictable about that," she said. "But they try to carry on as best they can. Most stay pretty mobile and pretty functional."

In the past, patients were often not taken seriously for these reasons. One patient Mettus saw at a veterans hospital was dishonorably discharged from the military 20 years ago only to find out recently that he had MS. For him, the diagnosis was a relief after struggling for years with the disease.

As for the award, Mettus said she doesn't feel worthy. Her work has been her passion over the years and she often sees patients for free just to learn more about the disease.

Mettus has been a medical staff member for the Jimmie Heuga Center in Edwards, Colo., for 17 years. The nonprofit organization provides health education and wellness workshops for those with multiple sclerosis.

She also enjoys her committee work with the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, which mostly consists of finding needed services for local patients. She serves as chairwoman of the programs committee and is a member of the professional education committee for the society. She also serves on one committee for the national society.