Osmond Coming To
Fairfield County WAMS Luncheon
American Idol contestant and MS spokesperson David Osmond will return to Connecticut on Friday, May 7, for the 27th annual Women Against MS (WAMS) Luncheon of Fairfield County at the Greenwich Country Club in Greenwich.
For Osmond, multiple sclerosis has been as much a part of his life as music. His father, Alan Osmond, was a member of the famed Osmond Brothers singing group and has battled MS for more than two decades.
In 2005, the younger Osmond took ill and, after initially being diagnosed with West Nile Virus, was then diagnosed with MS a year later. Once unable to walk, perform or play his guitar, Osmond regained his function and mobility over time to the point he was a contestant during the 2009 season of American Idol.
Osmond was the keynote speaker and performer at the NBC Connecticut Women Against MS Luncheon in Hartford on Oct. 30. Beginning with a medley of Steve Wonder songs, including “Isn’t She Lovely” for his infant daughter Saffron, Osmond shared his personal story of battling MS and his outlook on living with the disease.
Overcome at times with emotion, Osmond described a scene in a parking lot past midnight when he stubbornly attempted to drive a car despite being barely able to walk. He ended up falling over onto the ground and he started to “craugh,” his word for crying and laughing at the same time.
“When life is tough, you have to be tough right back,” he said.
Osmond also relayed the story, after initially being diagnosed with MS, of watching one of his brothers wrestling with his children.
“It was one of the saddest moments of my life because I felt like I would never be able to do that,” he explained as he fought back tear. “But now when I get to be with my wife, the love of my life, and play with my daughter, even if just for a little bit, those are the happiest moments of my life.”
After concluding his speech and discussing his desire to remain positive and upbeat at all times, Osmond finished by performing his original song, “Last Day,” from his forthcoming solo album.
Simsbury resident Maureen Jessen, who was diagnosed with MS in 2001, was one of nearly 400 guests in attendance and said she was impressed by Osmond’s poise and honesty.
Jessen chaired the Hartford WAMS planning committee and credited Osmond’s presence with changing the perception that MS does not affect young people.
“Having David adds that youth factor that many people don’t think about,” she said. “He’s very articulate and knows what living with MS is like from his own view and because his father has lived with it. He definitely has a unique perspective on how MS affects a family and how it affects the individual.”
The Georgina B. Davids Award will be presented at the WAMS Luncheon of Fairfield County to Jennifer Corn Carter. The award is presented to those who have made a difference in the lives of other people living with MS. In 2009, Pari Kreutter Hirsch was honored with the award for her 18 years of involvement with the event.
According to statistics, three times as many women are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as men and women across the country are coming together state by state and chapter by chapter to learn about the disease and the latest advancements in care.
Opportunities currently exist to serve as table captains and committee members for the March Into Spring WAMS Luncheon.
For more information on serving as a table captain or committee member or about the event, please contact Kim Maloney, Development Manager, at 860.913.2550, ext. 334, or e-mail kmaloney@ctfightsMS.org.
Take The Next Step… Become A WAMS 2010 Table Captain
Multiple sclerosis affects more than just the person diagnosed – it affects family, co-workers and friends. These individuals come together to raise funds for vital local programs and services, and critical research in our search for a cause, new treatments and a cure for MS by acting as WAMS Table Captains. A Table Captain commits to supporting WAMS by filling a table of 10 (one captain and nine guests) at the event. A table can also be co-captained with a friend (each Table Captain has four guests). Table Captains are invited to a kick-off party six weeks before the event. There they learn more about the guest recruiting process, receive their recruitment materials, and meet other Table Captains, committee members, and chapter staff. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for additional details.
The Omphoy Ocean Resort in Palm Beach, Fla. is offering a donation of 25 percent to the Connecticut Chapter for any accommodations reserved through Pari Kruetter Hirsch, who was honored at the 2009 luncheon. To ensure that your stay benefits the Connecticut Chapter, please make your
reservations directly with Pari Kruetter Hirsch at phirsch@obadonhotels.com or call 203-973-0601.