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The Connecticut-Rhode Island Chapter works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in Connecticut and Rhode Island raise funds for critical MS research. Join the movement toward a world free of MS.

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Safe At Home, Finally

October 19, 2015

Diane Keeney allows guests, including Governor Dannel P. Malloy, to take a tour of her new, one-bedroom apartment in Ojakian Commons during the building’s Grand Opening Celebration, held Friday, October 9. (From Left To Right: Lisa Gerrol, president of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Diane Keeney, and Mark Ojakian, president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education.)

SIMSBURY, Conn. – When Diane Keeney was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005, it wasn’t the first obstacle she had to face with her health. In fact, when Keeney was only six months old, she suffered from spinal meningitis, an illness that left her mostly deaf. But, with support from her family and some inner strength Kenney lived her life, moving from one side of the country to another until, she finally found a home that left her feeling safe and secure, right here in Simsbury.

“When we heard about Ojakian Commons, it was a God-send,” said Keeney’s sister, Debbie Robison, of West Hartford, who helped decorate the one-bedroom apartment when her sister was able to move in late this August. “When she was out in California or down in Florida, we used to worry every day about her. But now, I don’t worry one bit.”

But, the ten-year journey to Simsbury was hard at times, starting with what seemed to be a never-ending rotation of symptoms and varying doctors opinions.

“It started when I was driving to work and the car wouldn’t go faster than 30 mph,” said Keeney, from her couch that overlooked protected property, right outside her new window. “I thought something was wrong with my car, but it turns out, my foot was just too weak to push the gas pedal down any further.”

Keeney shared that the day following her car troubles, she couldn’t even walk. A trip to the hospital and a few tests including an MRI revealed that Keeney had lesions on her spine as well as in her brain, all pointing toward multiple sclerosis. She was put on disease-modifying medications and all seemed to be going well, until she moved and het to get a new doctor.

“When I went to the second neurologist, she simply said, ‘I don’t see any lesions’ and she took me off of my medications,” continued Keeney. “Soon after, only one week before Christmas, I went blind in my left eye.”

A few more trips to various doctors again confirmed her diagnosis and a course of steroids righted her vision, but unfortunately, the bout of optic neuritis left her left eye slightly blurry, which had previously been her better eye for lip-reading.

More than 6,500 Connecticut residents have identified themselves to the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, as having MS. The cause is unknown and there is currently no cure. Symptoms can include numbness in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness, loss of mobility and, in some more severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted.

“You can see why we were all worried about her,” said Jennifer Mazur, another of Keeney’s sisters, also from West Hartford. “For a while when we convinced Diane to move back to Connecticut with us, she lived with me. It finally allowed us to relax and not have to worry that something might happen and no one would be there to help. But now that she’s here at Ojakian Commons, those worries have vanished.”

Ojakian Commons, constructed by Regan Development, was designed specifically to meet the needs of people living with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities. The barrier-free apartments include many features above and beyond ADA requirements, allowing residents to remain active, vital members of the community. Features include automated door openers, 42-inch wide doorways to easily accommodate wheelchairs and scooters, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, custom horizontal sliding windows for easy opening, fully accessible kitchens and bathrooms and much more. Advanced Wheels also donated a fully accessible van to be used for transporting residents to doctor appointments, programs and other outings.

Additionally, the building has a number of innovative community spaces, enhancing the lives of its residents. Ojakian Commons has a barrier free wellness / exercise center, a well-stocked library, barrier free raised gardening areas, community space for meetings and lectures, and an entertainment and technology center. With these features and programming coordinated by the National MS Society, Ojakian Commons now provides a high quality housing alternative for people with disabilities.

Of the 48 total units, 40 apartments were filled by residents needing services offered by the National MS Society. Seven additional apartments were set aside for people with disabilities needing the services coordinated by FAVARH, the ARC of the Farmington Valley. Both FAVARH and the MS Society will provide a multitude of programming opportunities directly at Ojakian Commons for the complex’s residents.

“I am so happy to be living here,” said Keeney. “I am so grateful that my family has always been supportive of me, but it’s wonderful to be able to live independently again. We are so thankful to the National MS Society, the town of Simsbury, and everyone else who made this home available to me.”

For more information on Ojakian Commons or to fill out an application for housing, please visit www.OJcommons.com.

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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