Meet Tina
by Tina's mother, Marilyn
Tina (right) and her three children
In the year 2000, our only daughter was diagnosed with MS. At the time she was married, with two children. Now she is divorced and lives just a few block from us. We are her caregivers now. MS is a very nasty illness that takes so much from people. Tina has severe cognitive issues and balance and walking problems her short term memory is very bad also.
Before she got ill, Tina was a manager with a loan company. Once she became ill, she wasn't able to work or drive a car. Now she works two hours a day, twice a week. I take her to and from work. Her job is at the local Goodwill store here in Bryan.
MS has devastated our family.
At first I was feeling sorry for what I had lost in a daughter because of MS. Then one day I thought, it is time to stop feeling sorry for her, and for myself, and do something to help others. That was when I got the idea of a fundraiser. This is my way of trying to help other people in the area who have MS.
About four months ago, there was a ad in the local paper about Habitat for Humanity. They explained that Habitat will build a home for a person or family who can't afford a down payment on there own. Well, I thought, why not fill out a application for Tina. So I did. The wonderful news is, they accepted her for a home!
We have been working right along beside the Habitat volunteers to finish the home. They have built the home with wider hallways, a wider front walk and bathrooms that enable her to get around easily inside. They hope to have the house finished the end of this month. I can't tell you how this has lifted her spirits to know she is going to have a home of her own in which she will be able to have easier access.
I will continue to do what I can to help fight for a cure for MS.
I want you to know about the MS Reverse Auction benefit we are holding here in Bryan, Ohio. Last year was the first year that I held a fundraiser for MS – Sept 16, 2006 at the local Moose Lodge. We were able to raise $6,400 for the MS Society in Maumee, Ohio to benefit Williams County and the surrounding area.
This year (2007), the auction is Oct 6th and I have already raised close to $10,000. I am so happy that so many local business people in this area have opened there hearts to give to MS.
At times, I wonder why this illness happened to Tina. Then I have to step back and think . . . God has his reason for this and maybe some day I will understand why. We just take one day at a time. I pray every night that Tina can stay well enough to enjoy her new home and watch her children grow up.
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