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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Expanding Homecare Program A Priority At 2008 MS Action Day
The sixth annual MS Action Day will take place March 11 at the Capitol Building

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut residents living with multiple sclerosis recently got a front-row seat to democracy in action.

For the past three years members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Connecticut Chapter have advocated at the Connecticut State Capitol Building in support of a pilot program to provide homecare to residents between the ages of 18 to 64 with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities. The program launched last October.

"The homecare program has been a tremendous help. I can stay at home with my family, where I feel most comfortable, and still have the care I need," Grace Schanck, a resident of Norwalk, Conn., said in a recent interview. She has had MS for 23 years.

"The workers come twice a day for an hour and a half, seven days a week. It’s truly a blessing."

But there is more left to do, said Susan Raimondo, community programs director for the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. The chapter would like to see the program available to more people who need services to maintain their independence. 

More than 6,000 Connecticut residents live with multiple sclerosis, a chronic and often disabling disease of the central nervous system. There currently is no cure. Symptoms can include numbness in the limbs, vision and speech problems, stiffness and, in severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms differ for every person with MS.

"Our pilot is helping, but now we have to modify our legislation so the asset level matches the Connecticut Home Care Programs for Elders," said Raimondo.

Caring for a person using the pilot program costs an average of $1,550 per month, although that number can be as high as $2,600, said Raimondo. The Connecticut Department of Social Services' pilot program was funded with $720,000 in state dollars.

The new Connecticut Homecare Program for the Disabled serves people 18 to 64 with MS, Parkinson's disease or other neurological degenerative diseases. Thirteen of the 21 people taking part in the pilot program as of the end of January are dealing with the effects of MS. 

The sixth annual MS Lobby Day will take place Tuesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Old Judiciary Room at the Capitol Building, 210 Capitol Ave. in Hartford.

Participants will visit the Connecticut State Capitol where they can share their personal stories of a life affected by MS and discuss with legislators how policies directly affect their day-to-day activities. The Connecticut Chapter will facilitate meetings between participants and their representatives.

"The purpose of the day is to bring together a gathering of people with MS and their families to the State Capitol and highlight our legislative agenda," said Raimondo. "This is also the perfect opportunity to thank Gov. Rell and the legislature, as well as the Connecticut Department of Social Services."

Other advocacy issues include:

-- home and community-based services for people with disabilities

-- access to health insurance for uninsured and underinsured

-- prescription drug access including Medicare Part D and Medicaid

The Connecticut chapter will provide wheelchair-accessible buses to the Capitol from various locations around the state. To register for transportation or to participate in MS Action Day e-mail programs@ctfightsMS.org.

For more information on MS, treatments and programs and services offered by the chapter, please go to http://www.ctfightsms.org./

Buses will leave from:

Bus 1 - "The Northern Line"

  • Stop 1 - 8:00 a.m. in Norwalk - Parking Lot at the National MS Society, One Selleck Street
  • Stop 2 - 8:45 a.m. in Milford - Commuter Lot off I-95 Exit 40, Old Gate Lane
  • Stop 3 - 9:15 a.m. in North Haven - Commuter Lot off Rt 40, Devine St. West Lot
  • Stop 4 - 9:45 a.m. in Cromwell - Commter Lot off I-91 Exit 21, Rt. 372, Cromwell/Berlin

Bus 2 - "The Southeastern Line"

  • Stop 1 - 8:15 a.m. in New London - Commuter Lot at the 27 Water St. Railroad Station
  • Stop 2 - 8:50 a.m. in Norwich - Parking Lot of the MS Care Center of CT at One Towne Park Plaza, Norwich
  • Stop 3 - 9:45 a.m. in Manchester - Commuter Lot off I-384 at Spencer Street, Exit 1

Bus 3 - "The Western Line"

  • Stop 1 - 8:30 a.m. in Danbury - Commuter Lot off I-84 Exit 4, Segar St. (Chuck's)
  • Stop 2 - 9:15 a.m. in Waterbury - Commuter Lot off I-84 Exit 23, Route 69
  • Stop 3 - 9:55 a.m. in Farmington - Commuter Lot off I-84 Exit 37, Batterson Park Road

Bus 4 - "The Central Line"

  • Stop 1 - 9:00 a.m. in Enfield - Commuter Lot off Rt. 90 at Freshwater/Enfield Mall
  • Stop 2 - 9:30 a.m. in Windsor - Commuter Lot off I-91 at Route 218/Exit 35

 

2/6/2008

 

Lisa Cook
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Connecticut Chapter
 

 

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