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MS Activists Take Over Capitol For MS Action Day

April 6, 2012

6,000 MS Flags of Hope placed on state capitol's south lawn.

During MS Action Day on March 13,activists spoke with legislators about issues affecting people living with disabilities. Key issues include the need for increased homecare funding for people living with disability between the ages of 18 and 64 and energy assistance. Among others, guest speakers included Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and Chief of Staff Mark Ojakian, whose father, brother and sister all battle multiple sclerosis. Early in the morning, more than 30 volunteers planted 6,000 MS Flags of Hope in recognition of each of the 6,000 Connecticut residents battling multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease. Another 60 National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, members participated in MS Action Day.The initiative was held in conjunction with MS Awareness week.  

cameron action day

Cameron Gregory, 8, West Hartford, plants one of 6,000 MS flags of hope placed on the South Lawn of the Connecticut State Capitol Building in HartfordTuesday, March 13. The orange flags were placed in recognition of each of the 6,000 Connecticut residents battling multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease. The initiative was held in conjunction with MS Awareness week and MS Action Day, in which MS activists spoke with legislators about issues affecting people living with disabilities. More than 30 volunteers place the 6,000 flags just before dawn. Another 60 National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, members participated in MS Action Day. Cameron Gregory, who attends Webster Hill Elementary School in West Hartford, was recently recognized by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, for his outstanding volunteerism. He captains the MS Super Kids fundraising team, which supports the annual Walk MS. The 2012 Travelers Walk MS will take place at 12 sites across Connecticut Sunday, April 22. For more information on MS and the many ways the chapter assists people battling multiple sclerosis or to register for the 2012 Travelers Walk MS, presented by North American Power, visit www.ctfightsMS.org

 

action day 2

Linda Boyd, Torrington, and daughter, Mackenzie Rivers, Coventry, pose on the South Lawn of the Connecticut State Capitol Building in Hartford Tuesday, March 13. Volunteers, including Boyd and Mackenzie, planted 6,000 MS flags of hope in recognition of each of the 6,000 Connecticut residents battling multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease. Linda Boyd, a retired teacher, and Mackenzie Rivers, an equipment room manager at the University of Connecticut at Storrs, are longtime supporters of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, participating each year in MS fundraising events, including the Travelers Walk MS, which this year will take place at 12 sites across Connecticut Sunday, April 22. Boyd’s youngest daughter, who lives in Pennsylvania, battles multiple sclerosis. For more information on MS and the many ways the chapter assists people battling multiple sclerosis or to register for the 2012 Travelers Walk MS, presented by North American Power, visitwww.ctfightsMS.org

 

group flags
The group of MS activists pose among the 6,000 MS Flags of Hope before entering the state capitol building to lobby with legislators on MS Action Day, held March 13.

 

Rep Thompson
From left to right: Manchester residents Susan Santoro, Becky Bowman, Eric Szafran, State Rep. Jack Thompson, Lisa Fine, and Karen Butler, pose at MS Action Day on March 13 at the State Capitol Building in Hartford. Thompson represents the town of Manchester and spoke with the MS activists about issues affecting people living with disabilities.

 

senator cassano
Clockwise from front: John Bodnar (seated,) Glastonbury; Susan Santoro,Manchester; Becky Bowman, Manchester; Sen. Steve Cassano; Lisa Fine, Manchester; Pam Greenberg, Glastonbury; and Karen Butler,Manchester; pose at MS Action Day on March 13 at the State Capitol Building in Hartford. Senator Cassano, who represents the towns ofBoltonGlastonburyManchester and Marlborough, spoke to the group of more than 60 MS activists before meeting with those from the towns he represents.

 

Ojakian Action Day

From left to right: Jack Betkoski, Beacon Falls; Lisa Gerrol, West Hartford; Susan Raimondo, New Britain; and state senate chief of staff Mark Ojakian pose at MS Action Day on March 13 at the State Capitol Building in Hartford. Ojakian, whose father, brother and sister all battle multiple sclerosis, spoke with MS activists and presented two citations – one declaring March 13 MS Action Day in the state of Connecticut, and a second to Raimondo in recognition of the 25 years she has spent working and advocating for the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. Betkoski serves as chairman of the board of trustees for the Connecticut Chapter while Gerrol is chapter president.  

 

senator looney
Lynette Coleman, Middletown, poses with state senate majority leader Martin M. Looney at MS Action Day on March 13 at the State Capitol Building in Hartford. On March 11, Looney was honored with the Outstanding Legislative Partner at the 2011 Connecticut Chapter and Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony for his efforts moving legislation forward for people with MS. Coleman works as associate vice president of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, programs and services department. 

 

rep candelora
Janet Rathbun, North Branford, poses with Rep. Vincent Candelora at MS Action Day on March 13 at the State Capitol Building in Hartford. Candelora represents the towns of East Haven, North Branford and Wallingford. Rathbun is one of more than 6,000 people living in Connecticut with multiple sclerosis.  

 

rep carpino
Left to right: Cromwell residents Celeste Proulx, Luann Lawrence, Rep. Christie Carpino, and Renee and Carlos Jacinto pose at MS Action Day on March 13 at the State Capitol Building in Hartford. Carpino, whose father-in-law has multiple sclerosis, represents the towns of Cromwell, Middletown and Portland. Proulx, Lawrence and Renee Jacinto each live with MS.  

 

senator kelly
Connecticut State Sen. Kevin Kelly poses with Stratford resident Ben Cuttita during MS Action Day, March 13, at the State Capitol Building inHartford. Kelly serves the 21st district which is comprised of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. Cuttita is one of the more than 6,000 Connecticut residents who live with MS. 

 

senator suzio
Connecticut State Sen. Len Suzio speaks with Middletown resident Howard May during MS Action Day, March 13, at the State Capitol Building inHartford. Suzio serves the 13th district which is comprised of Cheshire, Middletown, Middlefield and Meriden. May is one of the more than 6,000 Connecticut residents who live with MS.  

 

4/11/12

About the Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society

The Connecticut Chapter strives to provide knowledge and assistance to help people with MS and their families maintain the highest possible quality of life. These goals are achieved through vital national and local programs.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million people worldwide.

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