Juaqutter's Story

I had the opportunity to join in with a MS support group out of Maryland and take a 9-day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. I met the group through an article in Inside MS that featured this group cruising to Bermuda saying they do this every few years and found it an enjoyable way to vacation and see other parts of the World.

As the date approached, my excitement grew, this would be a trip of a lifetime for me and I was anticipating new friendships as well as the ability to see a part of the World familiar to me only in books and movies. The one hitch in my trip was that the motorized scooter I possessed was not too reliable and the thought of traveling across the country with it and feeling safe outside the borders worried me. Upon doing some research I learned that I could rent a travel scooter from my local Care Medical agency but it was at a price that I was unable to afford and had not calculated into my overall expenses.

I had the chance to discuss my dilemma with Candyce Hayes, Executive Director of the MSSP who listened and suggested I write a letter to the board citing my concerns and requesting help with the cost of the rental. I did so and was thrilled when the board agreed to pay the cost for me, allowing me to go on my trip free of concerns about mechanical breakdowns with my existing scooter.

This is but one of the times the agency has come to my rescue, they are always there with an attentive ear to my needs and have provided many times over what I've needed to walk (or ride) through this journey of MS. Most often and dearly important it's been an "I understand" when I phone with the challenges inherent with this disease, they've steered me to resources available in my community and not once made me feel that my issue was too small or big for them to assist with.

My trip was everything and more and I am forever grateful to the society for their assistance then and now. MSSP rocks!!! Gratefully....Juaqutter