Dedham woman with multiple sclerosis hopes disability aids will inspire others
DEDHAM - A Dedham woman is trying to take the stigma out of disability aids. Noelle Connolly has been living with multiple sclerosis symptoms since she was 17 and was officially diagnosed at 23.
"I was a young, vibrant person living life to the fullest. Then, I got this diagnosis and had to figure out what to do," she said. She found a care team that eventually got her on a medicine that stabilized her. "For me, that has been a game changer in my illness - is who I have surrounding me on this journey," Connolly explained.
Four years ago, the mom of three transitioned to secondary progressive MS, and her symptoms started showing daily. "I needed to find things to get me stronger. To get me more independent. To work on my body strength and my positivity," she said.
Part of her journey was discovering boxing. She found a class for people with Parkinson's at Desario Training Systems and asked to join. Boxing with owner Frank has given her more energy, core strength and helped her mentally. "Seeing what that has done for me and for my MS and having my kids feel that I'm a kick-a** mom, that I could actually box and show strength has been so important and such a life-changing experience," she said. "My kids say to me, 'You are fearless.'"
But she started to lose mobility in one of her feet. Her physical therapist wanted to strengthen her leg ability. So, they suggested the Bioness L300 Go, which she has named Athena. "It really has become a part of me. And figuring out how to use technology to live my life to the fullest has been really important," Connolly explained.
The device sends electric signals down her leg and stimulates her foot to go up as she moves. One of her goals is to erase the public stigma associated with wearing disability aids. "I want to inspire others to live a beautiful life with disability aids, with technology and know that they can just rock it," she said.
Connolly said she tries to never let her disability get the best of her spirit. "Even if you have a tough day and even if the only thing I can do in that day is make the bed, I'm going to make the bed to the best of my ability. I want to show people that even with MS or any chronic illness, yes, it's tough, and yes, it's devastating, but what you got to do is get up and keep going."
Connolly continues to advocate for MS awareness through the MS Society. She's walked down the runway with Athena in their last fundraiser fashion show.