Dolton holds fourth annual Multiple Sclerosis walk; residents share day-to-day realities, sheriff’s office highlights local programs

Trustee Steve hosted the fourth annual Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Walk in Dolton, where residents living with MS shared personal accounts of their symptoms and treatments and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office described local safety and support programs, organizers said (date not specified in the transcript).

The event assembled elected officials, residents with MS and representatives from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Pat Flannery, executive director of the Community Engagement Unit for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, summarized several sheriff’s office initiatives aimed at seniors and other community members, saying, “MS, it’s a condition that affects so many people but there’s so many people here supporting it and supporting those individuals who are going through it.” He described senior programs focused on physical safety and scam prevention, and he urged residents to register for a free vehicle headlight/taillight repair program scheduled in Midlothian “on the seventeenth” (month not specified); Flannery said registration must be completed by Monday (date not specified).

Several residents with MS spoke about how the disease affects everyday life. Joanne, who said she was diagnosed in February 2008, described the diagnostic process and treatment changes and said, “I don’t consider my MS a struggle.” She described early treatment with an interferon injection, later switching to oral medication because of side effects and ongoing monitoring of kidney function.

Jacqueline, who said she was diagnosed at 15 and is now 36, described fatigue and the need to pace activity: “I get tired around noon. I can get like 8 hours of sleep, but I will still push through.” Another resident, who identified himself as diagnosed in 2021, said the disease began by affecting his left side and later progressed; he told the group, “MS is not gonna be me. I’ll be MS.”

Representatives of the MS Society urged community support and said donations go to research. A society representative, Shannon, thanked the event organizer and told attendees, “MS, no 1 should fight MS alone and that’s why the MS Society is here.” She added later that research progress has accelerated, saying the organization is “so close to a cure, closer than we’ve been in like the 70 years prior.”

Organizers encouraged attendees to take available food and to speak with MS Society volunteers for local resources. The sheriff’s office distributed flyers about its programs at the food table and offered to register residents for the Midlothian headlight/taillight program on site.

The gathering combined fundraising, personal testimony and resource-sharing rather than formal government business; no motions, votes or regulatory actions were recorded in the transcript.

Organizers asked for donations to support research and encouraged residents to follow up with the MS Society or the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for program registration and resources detailed at the event.