Speaker and Advocate for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
As a peer, scholar, and advocate I bring my personal experience, expertise, and drive to advocate for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Below are speaking engagements for podcasts, academia, news, and patient and provider events. As well as a list of fundraising events for The National MS Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter.
Contact for more information or to book as a speaker
Contact for more information or to book as a speaker
Podcasts & Academic Speaker
Whole-Hearted Eating Podcast – "Nutrition for Multiple Sclerosis and Avoiding Orthorexic Traps with Danielle Bourgeon"
University of Massachusetts, Boston Regular Guest Lecturer on Multiple Sclerosis – October 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Course: REHAB 602 - Medical, Psychological & Educational Aspects of Disabilities Instruct the class on what Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is and its causes, manifestations, treatments, vocational and clinical issues. Provide current information based on new research with a strong focus on clinical psychological symptoms and vocational opportunities. Feedback from students has demonstrated significant impact in understanding of MS and application of clinical and vocational tools for the future. Vertical Divider
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Featured In the NewsCBS Philadelphia, Stephanie Stahl – “It's Not A Death Sentence”: Growing Number Of Young Women Being Diagnosed With Multiple Sclerosis.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, Stu Bykofsky – A stricken dancer and the walker she uses to create ballet Penn Medicine MS and Related Disorders Featured Patient Story – Danielle's Story: "I'm not MS and MS is not me!" Contact for More Information or to book |
Patient and Provider Groups Speaker
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation MS Wellness program – October 2023
Program Title: Living with MS, What Wellness, Grit, and Resilience Have to Do with It.
Third presentation of this program, and invited to present by an attendee of the initial presentation at Penn in August 2023. Used as a recruitment platform for "How Grit Affects Quality of Life in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis". Discussed the study, constructs of grit and resilience as well as discussed the importance of wellness areas such as exercise, nutrition, and mental health. Within 10 minutes of the conclusion of this presentation two individuals from this program requested to sign up for the study.
Penn Medicine MS and Related Disorders Wellness Program – August 2023 & September 2023
Program Title: Living with MS, What Wellness, Grit, and Resilience Have to Do with It.
Used as a recruitment platform for "How Grit Affects Quality of Life in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis". Discussed the study, constructs of grit and resilience as well as discussed the importance of wellness areas such as exercise, nutrition, and mental health. Both presentations had attendance of over 25 people in each and resulted in significant engagement and interest in the study. After the August presentation and amendment was added to the IRBs to include individuals outside Penn's patient population as multiple attendees asked to share the study with their support and rehabilitation groups
Penn Medicine MS and Related Disorders Wellness Program – June 2019 & March 2020
March Program 2020:
Co-facilitated the group by providing peer support. We touched on issues of fatigue, anxiety, depression, reframing negative thoughts and resilience.
June Program 2019:
Presented on the importance of exercise for individuals with MS. Provided support and guidance to the group through understanding and answering questions. Displayed a video of the dance performance from the Penn Medicine symposium: On the Basis of Sex, Women's Issues in Multiple Sclerosis depicting my own journey with MS.
Penn Medicine Patient and Provider Symposium – June 2019
Program Title: On the Basis of Sex, Women's Issues in Multiple Sclerosis
Performed original choreography documenting my journey with MS. Spoke about the challenges that accompany MS and the need for exercise to combat fatigue and reinforce muscle control. This was done twice, once for a group of providers and once for a patients. Click for a recording of the performance.
Program Title: Living with MS, What Wellness, Grit, and Resilience Have to Do with It.
Third presentation of this program, and invited to present by an attendee of the initial presentation at Penn in August 2023. Used as a recruitment platform for "How Grit Affects Quality of Life in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis". Discussed the study, constructs of grit and resilience as well as discussed the importance of wellness areas such as exercise, nutrition, and mental health. Within 10 minutes of the conclusion of this presentation two individuals from this program requested to sign up for the study.
Penn Medicine MS and Related Disorders Wellness Program – August 2023 & September 2023
Program Title: Living with MS, What Wellness, Grit, and Resilience Have to Do with It.
Used as a recruitment platform for "How Grit Affects Quality of Life in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis". Discussed the study, constructs of grit and resilience as well as discussed the importance of wellness areas such as exercise, nutrition, and mental health. Both presentations had attendance of over 25 people in each and resulted in significant engagement and interest in the study. After the August presentation and amendment was added to the IRBs to include individuals outside Penn's patient population as multiple attendees asked to share the study with their support and rehabilitation groups
Penn Medicine MS and Related Disorders Wellness Program – June 2019 & March 2020
March Program 2020:
Co-facilitated the group by providing peer support. We touched on issues of fatigue, anxiety, depression, reframing negative thoughts and resilience.
June Program 2019:
Presented on the importance of exercise for individuals with MS. Provided support and guidance to the group through understanding and answering questions. Displayed a video of the dance performance from the Penn Medicine symposium: On the Basis of Sex, Women's Issues in Multiple Sclerosis depicting my own journey with MS.
Penn Medicine Patient and Provider Symposium – June 2019
Program Title: On the Basis of Sex, Women's Issues in Multiple Sclerosis
Performed original choreography documenting my journey with MS. Spoke about the challenges that accompany MS and the need for exercise to combat fatigue and reinforce muscle control. This was done twice, once for a group of providers and once for a patients. Click for a recording of the performance.
The National MS Society, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter Fundraising Events
Taste of Generosity – 2024
Women Against MS Fundraisers – 2011, 2012
Walk MS, Team: Made Stronger – 2010, 2011, 2012
Women Against MS Fundraisers – 2011, 2012
Walk MS, Team: Made Stronger – 2010, 2011, 2012
For More Information or to Book Danielle Bourgeon...
...as a speaker for podcasts, college or graduate school classes, patient or provider events, fundraising events, news outlets, conferences, and anything else...
