Lori's Story
I owe a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the donors to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society/Greater Illinois Chapter and the DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Here is why:
I was finally diagnosed with MS in 2004 at the age of 51 after experiencing various MS symptoms since I was 27 after the birth of my daughter, Kristin. A friend suggested that I join the MS Support Group. It was the best thing I ever did for myself and my family.
First of all, I want to say that Yolanda Treiguts, our group leader, is absolutely remarkable! She takes a personal interest in everyone in her support group and makes them feel as though they have found a real true friend who can really help you during the devastating time of your life when you feel like you have just been given a death sentence. She placed a phone call to me as a new member of her support group and we had a lengthy conversation to discuss my situation. She was just making sure I was on the right track with my diagnosis, doctor, meds, support, etc. It was very consoling to me at that time to have someone I could talk to and know I wasn’t alone. Someone really understood! I have called upon her several times in the past four years for information on MS related issues. She is always more than willing to find out the information I need and get back to me if she doesn’t know the answer (which she usually does). She is very positive and a great motivator. It was through Yolanda that I found out about the DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
The DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM is a wonderful part of the MS Society’s offerings. It is extremely helpful to people like me who need some help and cannot afford it on their own. I had fallen down the stairs in my home twice and broken my knee each time. My home has three levels and I need to use my stairs a lot during the course of any given day. Yolanda suggested I contact the MS Society’s DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM to see if they could help. I contacted them and they assisted me with the purchase of two lifts to be installed in my home. They made the process very easy and painless. They answered my questions, gave me recommendations and referrals and were very patient, understanding and professional during the process.
I had never had to ask for assistance from anyone during my entire married life. However at that time, my husband had just lost his job and my MS symptoms were so severe that I was required to go on disability from my job.
The stair-lifts were a Godsend. Not only did they remove my fear of falling a third time and possibly hurting myself even worse the next time but also they made it less tiring for me to do everyday tasks like doing laundry. It takes less energy to ride up instead of walking up. When I had to walk up, by the time I got to the top I was exhausted and could hardly breathe due to my bronchitis and asthma, let alone the fatigue of the MS.
Then last year we needed to replace our flooring after a flood and again I called upon the DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM for help. They came to the rescue once more! The company wanted $350 to remove and replace the one lift so the floor could be installed. They again provided financial assistance.
I really truly appreciate everything the DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM has done for me. It is a wonderful program that has the right idea. It helps people make their life more bearable day by day. They help people with MS stay as mobile and independent as possible until the research finds a cause and cure for this dreaded disease.
Thank you once again to all those donors who make this program possible!
Lori VanTichelt