The Muscular Dystrophy Association has named Pam Barfield of Cedartown the recipient of its 2010 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award for Georgia, according to a press release.

Barfield, 32, was selected for MDA’s highest achievement award in Georgia for her outstanding work on behalf of others with disabilities and for her determination to excel in the face of personal challenges.

Barfield has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and atrophy; some loss of sensation in the feet, lower legs, hands and forearms; and often, stiffened joints due to abnormal tightening of muscles and associated tissues. She walks with the assistance of leg braces and frequently uses a power wheelchair for mobility.

Barfield volunteers at Cherokee Elementary School, mentoring several students every year. She also helps people who are elderly or disabled file their tax returns, and volunteers at the local animal control shelter, fostering and bottle-feeding kittens.

In addition, she is very active at MDA fundraising events and other activities to highlight public awareness of disability issues.

“I’m very pleased to recognize Pam Barfield as Georgia’s Robert Ross MDA Personal Achievement Award recipient for 2010,” said MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg. “Her work is a real asset to the Cedartown community, and an example of the kind of leadership MDA is proud to support.”

About the award:

Barfield was selected as Georgia’s state recipient after having been selected for a local achievement award by MDA’s Greater Georgia Chapter.

One person will be selected from among all the state honorees around the country and named MDA’s national 2011 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award recipient. The national award recipient will be announced on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, broadcast Sept. 5-6.

The award is named in memory of Robert Ross, MDA’s longtime chief executive who died in 2006. Ross created the Personal Achievement Award program in 1992 to recognize the exemplary accomplishments and community service of people who have any of the 40-plus neuromuscular diseases for which MDA seeks treatments and cures.