Helping Hands Provides Support to MS Sufferers

As someone who has lived with multiple sclerosis for more than 58 years, Bill Brayer understands the challenges and frustrations of dealing with the disease.

In 1999, with the support of his wife, Carol, Brayer founded the MS Helping Hands Foundation. Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide services and resources to help improve the lives of those living with MS. In conjunction with the current National MS Education and Awareness Month, MSHH is opening the doors of its Donor Closet to host an open house today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Donor Closet, located behind Petosa’s Family Grocer, is part of MSHH. Through the help of more than 27 volunteers and numerous generous donors, the Donor Closet provides medical and mobility equipment to people who have been denied these items by Medicare, Medicaid, DSHH, insurance companies and other social services organizations. Items include scooters, canes, crutches, hospital beds, bed rails and more.

The Donor Closet is holding an open house today and again on March 26 for all members of the community interested in learning more about MS and the ways in which they can help raise awareness of the disease. Hot dogs, chips, cookies, soda and bottled water will be served to anyone who attends. There will also be a raffle drawing to give away a free power scooter to someone in Washington state living with MS.

“We hope that many people with MS and others with special needs will come by and check out what the Donor Closet is all about,” Brayer said. “This is the only one like it in the country.”

To find out more about donating time or items, visit www.mshelp.org.