Kate McRae: Singer Walks Again With MPKAFOs After Suspected MS Diagnosis

September 17, 2025

Hanger Clinic

Kate McRae Jackson was a busy singer/songwriter and very active young adult until a suspected multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis left her in a wheelchair. With the help of microprocessor knee-ankle-foot orthoses (MPKAFOs), she is now back on her feet, walking, climbing stairs, and dancing again.

“I’ve always led an active life. I was a busy singer and songwriter living in Nashville, averaging about 150 shows per year with my band. I spent about 10 years on the road, performing songs I had written and sharing songs that touch people’s hearts. Everyone knew me as Kate McRae, country singer/songwriter. In my free time, I enjoyed swimming, running, climbing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, and even some competitive ballroom dancing,” said Kate.

My Suspected MS Diagnosis

Kate started feeling tired near the end of 2017, and in January 2018, things really started to go downhill. She became extremely exhausted, so much so that it became progressively more difficult to even show up for rehearsals, let alone get through them. Her wrist and ankles were the first to lose strength rapidly. Her arms and legs continued to weaken as other neuromuscular and autonomic symptoms appeared. By that summer, her life had changed dramatically.

Kate shared, “I was 30 years old, nearly blind in my right eye, and unable to feel or control my legs from the knee down. Doctors narrowed down my diagnosis to be autoimmune and suspected MS. My parents put their lives on hold and were my support, bringing me to medical appointments and helping me adjust. Within a couple of months, I was in a wheelchair and unable to take care of myself. Losing the ability to play my instruments because my hands no longer worked was one of the hardest things I had ever been through.”

Finding Hope at Hanger Clinic

When Kate realized she was losing her strength and control of her legs, she requested to begin physical therapy. After a couple of months of treatment, her physical therapist noted foot drop and increasing wobbliness and weakness in her legs, especially in her right leg. That’s when Kate’s physical therapist introduced her to Hanger Clinic in Hermitage and orthotist Richard Brown, CPO, C. Ped.

Kate said, “Richard was amazing. He asked me about my goals. I told him walking first and foremost, but I wanted to be able to dance, swim, and paddleboard again. I laughed because it sounded so farfetched, but it was the first time in a while that I felt hope and encouragement.”

Richard shared, “Kate came to me unable to stand and keep her knees from buckling. In 2019, we started with long leg braces or knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs). We went through a few sets or iterations of those braces. With arm crutches for balance, Kate was able to walk further and longer and did significantly better.”

Kate finally had something sturdy to balance on that would pick up her foot for her. Every day, she worked to build her endurance, standing on her feet and using different muscles to advance her legs forward. With some arm crutches to help balance, Kate started trying to walk. First, just down the hall, then down the sidewalk, and eventually walking about 100 yards. She even filmed herself walking to the mailbox and sent it to Richard. He was so thrilled and told Kate that she might be ready for another type of brace.

Receiving MPKAFOs

Kate then received a set of microprocessor knee-ankle-foot orthoses (MPKAFOs) that changed her life.

Richard said, “New devices came out not long ago called MPKAFOs. I knew in my heart that Kate would be the perfect patient for that. So we had an evaluation, then I casted her and prepared her for MPKAFOs.”

“With MPKAFOs, it’s like they continue to learn more about you and what you are trying to do,” said Kate. “So, say I’m trying to sit down. My legs could completely give out. The MPKAFOs help me to lower down slowly. Richard fought extraordinarily hard for me every single day. It’s just been incredible how much progress we’ve been able to make.”

Reaching New Goals

Today, Kate is walking, climbing stairs, dancing—and even holding her baby daughter safely.

“To have been able to walk down the aisle at my wedding and have a daughter just makes my world,” she said.

“These MPKAFOs have changed how my family and I live. We’ve gotten more adventurous. I’m even starting to play music again. That’s the beauty of finding the lost and found—there might be a treasure trove around the corner if you just keep going.”

Richard added, “Kate brought a tear to my eye when she said she could now safely hold a baby. That’s a big deal.”

“I think back to when I was sitting in my wheelchair,” said Kate. “With the incredible support of my family, my medical team, and Hanger Clinic, I was able to take what seemed like an impossible challenge and just take one step at a time to work towards the goals I set for myself. While the physical challenges have been tough to overcome, the hardest part was keeping faith that I could live an active, independent life again. I still don’t have control of my legs on my own, but with the help of Richard and my MPKAFOs, I now can balance, walk, and get back to living. Richard and the Hanger Clinic team continue to help me every step of the way with their kindness, ability to find technology to help, and assistance through the insurance process. They genuinely care about patients and put in the work to help.”