Team of family, friends backs woman with MS

May 6 was a day of hope for the Palumbo family of Frankfort and their supporters, who gathered at the State University of New York Institute of Technology in Utica for the annual MS Walk.

For many people struggling with multiple sclerosis and their families, the fundraiser, sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, is an important event.

The Palumbos -- Sandi and Jim, their 15-year-old daughter Jamie -- joined 21 friends for the walk and raised more than $1,500 as "Team Sandi."

Family affair

According to Mr. Palumbo, "MS is not an individual disease. It affects the whole family. The individual suffers, and the family takes the fallout, which is enormous."

Mrs. Palumbo was diagnosed in 1994, and her disease progressed rapidly. She went from walking alone to a cane, walker and wheelchair.

"All of our future plans had to be changed," her husband said.

Caregiving

After Sandi's diagnosis, Mr. Palumbo retired from his job as Frankfort's chief of police in order to care for her.

Like many caregivers, he juggles numerous roles, including parent and care-provider. He also works as a substitute teacher when aides and nurses care for Mrs. Palumbo.

"The thing that bothers me," Mr. Palumbo said, "is that it takes away from her being a mother, from the kind of things that a mother should be doing with a 15-year-old: pictures at the prom, picking out a dress."

Parish link

The family attends Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Frankfort, and Mr. Palumbo said that neighbors and people in the parish ran a fundraiser and a pancake breakfast that raised more than $900.

Throughout the buildup to the walk, Ss. Anthony and Joseph parish in Herkimer -- where Mrs. Palumbo's parents belong -- published bulletin announcements encouraging parishioners to contribute.

"It was overwhelming," he said.

(Multiple sclerosis, which has no discernable cause or cure, is a chronic, debilitating disease of the central nervous system. To contribute to the Palumbo family's efforts, contact the Upstate New York chapter of the National MS Society at 1-800-344-4687 and mention Team Sandi.)

(5/24/07) [[In-content Ad]]