Kevin needs assistance due to M.S.

Kevin Jackson needs your help.  He reached out to the Alumni Chapter Board several weeks ago regarding his physical disability, M.S. (Multiple Sclerosis).  If you don’t know what M.S. is, please familiarize yourself with the disease by clicking this link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis

Kevin has had a tough run since being diagnosed with M.S. in 2013.   He went through a 7-year divorce, gaining custody of his two children while they were still young during that time.  During that time, he was under extreme stress (very harmful to MS symptoms).  In the insurance business, he lost a lot of business as a result.  Now the divorce is final, and Kevin has joint custody every other week with his kids.  Kevin’s disability has affected him physically, mentally and his entire lifestyle has changed as a result.  M.S. is a debilitating disease that most people cannot comprehend the things a person like Kevin must go through daily.  Even the simplest of chores a person has in a day, such as sweeping/vacuuming the floor, cleaning the countertops, or putting on the bed sheets is compromised by Kevin’s disability.  These small acts of basic needs are taken for granted when you have the ability to do them.  For Kevin, these acts can take up his entire day.  Planning and preparation for hours, even days to make happen.  Cooking a meal, sweeping the floor, doing the laundry…these simple basic everyday chores take Kevin a considerable amount of time, energy and ingenuity to make happen.  Sitting in a chair while cooking until finished, standing on crutches to sweep unable to reach the hard spots, repositioning himself in his wheelchair just to open the refrigerator door, crawling on the floor to clean the tub.  And, if Kevin wants to change the sheets on his bed, it would take every bit of his energy for the entire day.  Even uncontrollable variables like the weather, can affect Kevin’s ability to think clearly and physically move his legs.  Kevin’s apartment is not modified for accessibility which makes things more difficult, however, it is on the ground floor and close to his children’s school.

We all know how tough it is to raise a family, work and support ourselves, afford the basics and, if we are lucky, every once and a while the frills.  Most of us take for granted that we have a wife or a family member helping out.  Kevin is currently in physical therapy which is helping.  However, he has reached out for more help.  He  needs a cleaning service at his home, at least every two weeks.  We are currently looking into a M.S. foundation homecare assistance Grant that can help with this, however, these things take time.  Kevin needs help now.  Please give what you can.  Our goal is to have Kevin’s apartment cleaned for a year until we can figure out other means.

L. Travis Camerio III