This was the 15^th year MS Activists in Connecticut gathered at the state capitol to meet with their local legislators – all in the name of creating change for the more than 6,500 people affected by multiple sclerosis in our state. Nearly 90 activists met with 48 representatives throughout the day.

The National MS Society advocates at the federal, state and local levels for increased MS research, access to quality health care, disability rights, long-term services and supports, and access to basic needs like year-round energy assistance, transportation and accessible housing.

“This event is an opportunity for people with MS, their family members and other advocates to meet with state legislators and inform them of how important critical legislation is now,” said Susan Raimondo, senior director of advocacy and programs, at the Connecticut Chapter.

The chapter’s next great endeavor is the 2016 Travelers Walk MS, which will take place at nine sites across the state in April. For more information on the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, or MS Action Day, visit ctfightsMS.org.

Northford resident and activist Janet Rathbun meets with her local representative Vincent Candelora during MS Action Day at the state capitol Tuesday, March 29. Rathbun was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005, and has been using her voice to raise awareness of the disease ever since.

Newington resident Doris Martincheck and New Britain resident Julie Follette speak with local representative Gary Byron during MS Action Day at the state capitol Tuesday, March 29.

West Hartford resident and president of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, Lisa Gerrol meets with local legislators during MS Action Day at the state capitol Tuesday, March 29. Legislators from left to right: representative Charles Ferraro, district 117, representative Mitch Bolinsky, district 106, and representative Mike France, district 42.

Marlborough resident and MS Activist Gregg Mooney speaks with Senator Gayle Mulligan during  MS Action Day at the state capitol Tuesday, March 29. Mooney was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2003. Since that time, Mooney has increasingly lost mobility but not humor, a zest for life or his willingness to speak out about issues affecting people with MS. Mooney is a longtime supporter of the National MS Society, helping to raise awareness and participating annually in MS Action Day and other society-related activities.

New Britain resident Julie Follett meets with her senator Terry Gerrantana during MS Action Day at the state capitol Tuesday, March 29. When Julie Follett, New Britain, first started her career as a nurse, she set out to help people care for themselves. Little did she know, however, that at the age of 42 she, too, would have to tap into some of the same guidance she’d provided to her patients. In 1994, Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. A visionary, she had mapped out her life, but she hadn’t planned for a detour such as this. Receiving a diagnosis of MS can mean many things to many people, and for Julie, MS was just part of the great adventure, she calls life. A couple years after her diagnosis, Julie opened a private practice, in Newington. A clinical nurse specialist specializing in psychiatry, Julie now uses her own experiences living with MS as examples to help her patients navigate the detours and unexpected twists and turns in their own lives.