Meet Kym Sellers: Strength, Determination, and Living Life with MS

Posted by Kym Sellers on Wednesday, April 8, 2015

If you’ve ever heard Kym Sellers on the radio, you know she’s a force to be reckoned with. The smooth, calming presence behind Quiet Storm, her voice could fill a room with warmth, yet few listeners ever knew the storm she was facing in her own life—her journey with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Kym rose to local fame in Cleveland, Ohio in 1994 when she landed a spot as a deejay for WZAK 93.1. She was charismatic, stylish, and strong-willed, becoming a household name for those who tuned in. But behind the scenes, she was battling MS—a diagnosis she kept private for five years, trying to navigate the uncertainty of a disease she was still learning about herself.

Living with MS is never easy, and Kym’s story is proof that perseverance, faith, and support can help navigate the toughest challenges. From raising a family, managing a career, and spearheading a foundation dedicated to MS awareness, she has never stopped fighting for those living with this disease.

If you’ve ever felt like MS is holding you back, Kym’s journey is a reminder that life goes on—even with obstacles in the way. Let’s take a closer look at her remarkable resilience, the foundation she started, and her ongoing fight to live strong.

Early Years

She was 28 and married to NBA player Brad Sellers of the Detroit Pistons at the time. The talk of the town, she became an overnight celebrity. "Kym-with-a-y", as she came to be known, was beautiful, athletic, and could strut with the best of them.

She began noticing problems immediately after having her first child. Her feet were numb for almost a week after the epidural wore off. Things got worse after her second child and that is when she decided to tell everyone that she had MS - a secret she'd kept for five years.

She took the disease head on and soon started The Kym Sellers Foundation: 

"The mission of The KSF is to provide outreach, awareness and education to individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and their families, in order for them to have a meaningful effect and significant impact on their quality of life."

Life goes on

Doctors told her that having more children, could possibly make her MS even worse. After two more children, she went from stumbling to eventually not being able to walk at all. She doesn't let that stop her, though. While preparing for her annual KSF Gala in 2008, she had this to say.

"Life goes on. Although my mobility is very limited, my mind is very strong."

She has family and friends who are willing to help whenever she needs them. One friend, Bridget Edison drove from Akron to Kym's home, almost an hour away, to help drive her to and from work. The Cleveland station decided to hire her when Kym need help with the controls while doing her evening show - Quiet Storm.

An interview with Kym Sellers

Kym tells her story best. Listen to the video below to learn about her life and experience with multiple sclerosis, as well as why she does what she does. She offers advice and also gives a voice to others who live with MS through The Kym Sellers Foundation.

Thanks, Kym.

Kym's stem cell treatment

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MCS)

Kym recently underwent an experimental treatment using her own stem cells in February of 2014. She is the first person in Ohio to undergo the treatment and it is her hope that she won't be the last. The procedure uses mesenchymal stem cells - or MCS, which were harvested from adipose tissue or body fat - an very rich source of viable stem cells.

An update at three months (Plus her most recent update)

An update about the stem cell procedure, shows that she has made improvements. They may be small, however, they offer a spark of hope to many others who suffer from MS.

If we all have viable stem cells within our own bodies, this may be the answer for those who are healthy enough to have this treatment as an option.

"I have noticed improvements in my breathing, pain levels, edema and mobility. I can tell my body is trying to fight the disease,” she said. “I am not out on the floor dancing yet, but I am making baby steps with my treatment and I really feel good about my progress,” said Sellers."

Another Update: Kym Sellers at Fox 8 Cleveland, with daughter, Sydney.

A surprise visit with the OJays

Here is a video talking with her friend and OJay member, Walter Williams about MS. Walter also has MS and you can read his story here.

Where can you find Kym?

  • Her Facebook Page (Click on her profile image at the beginning of this page)
  • Her Instagram
  • Fox 8 Cleveland
  • Kym's show - "Quiet Storm" is no longer playing
  • Living Strong Podcast - link below - her latest podcast was Jan. 24, 2023

Kym’s Story Continues to Inspire

There’s no doubt that Kym Sellers has faced challenges, but she continues to push forward, proving that life doesn’t stop when MS enters the picture. Instead of letting it define her, she has defined how she chooses to live with it—as an advocate, a leader, and an inspiration to countless others.

Her Kym Sellers Foundation continues to raise awareness and provide resources, and her experimental stem cell treatment has given hope to others looking for new ways to fight MS. Whether through her radio presence, her community outreach, or her personal journey, Kym has shown that while MS may be part of her life, it certainly doesn’t own her story.

If you ever feel like MS is too much, think of Kym’s resilience—her ability to adapt, find strength, and keep moving forward. She reminds us that, even when MS throws obstacles in our path, we can still live boldly, love fiercely, and fight for the life we want.

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