Fourth grader rallies friends for mom’s Walk MS team

Posted 4/12/16

Ten-year-old Destinee Frias of Warwick has watched her mom Jenn Frias struggle with multiple sclerosis. For the past five years the fourth grader has walked in Walk MS, presented locally by Biogen. …

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Fourth grader rallies friends for mom’s Walk MS team

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Ten-year-old Destinee Frias of Warwick has watched her mom Jenn Frias struggle with multiple sclerosis. For the past five years the fourth grader has walked in Walk MS, presented locally by Biogen. But this year, she wanted to do more and she had an idea. Without her mother knowing, she talked to her principal at Lippitt Elementary School about making and selling bracelets to raise money for her mom’s Walk MS team.

“I hope my mom doesn’t have to be in a wheelchair, so I’m trying to do something for people in wheelchairs and for my mom,” she said. “I want to help everyone with MS.”

Destinee and her friends created “wish” bracelets made of thread with an orange bead, as orange is the signature color of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and a wish card that represents hope. When the thread wears off or the card falls off, it is hoped your wish will be granted. They painted posters to advertise their fundraiser, which was held at night at a school event. They sold their inspiring bracelets for a dollar each and made $100. Destinee is planning another fundraiser, perhaps a walk-a-thon at her school.

“These are 10-year-olds! My daughter rallied her friends,” said Jenn Frias. “We’ve been doing the walk for five years and we used to be Team Jenn and my daughter said, ‘You need a hashtag in there.’ Now our team name is #fight.”

Team #fight will be at Walk MS: Providence on April 17 at the Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker St. Walk MS will start at 10 a.m., with check-in at 9 a.m., and participants will walk along a three-mile, fully-accessible route.

Jenn was diagnosed with MS in January 2007. An independent person, she was concerned MS might rob her of her independence. Creating a team in Walk MS empowered her.

“I just enjoy bringing awareness and being able to do something and not just sit around,” she said. “I’m not the kind of person who can sit around.”

Even though she struggles with pins and needle feelings in her legs, vision problems and fatigue, Jenn does not sit around. In March, she completed the MS Climb to the Top: Boston, where participants climb 61 flights of stairs to the top of New England’s tallest building, 200 Clarendon Tower. Jenn raised $1,600 for Climb to the Top. Last year, she participated in the MS Muckfest: Boston, a fun, mud obstacle course. At Walk MS: Providence, she plans to walk with her team of 15 people, which includes her 12-year-old son Paulo Jr. and Destinee.

For Destinee, her Walk MS experience has reinforced her desire to help people with MS, and she is excited about her efforts.

“I learned we can help cure MS if we try hard enough,” said Destinee, who wrote an essay for school about how her mom is her hero.

This year, Walk MS locations throughout New England will raise approximately $2.5 million for the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Visit www.walkMS.org to register. Funds raised at Walk MS support cutting-edge research and life changing programs and services for people living with MS. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is the returning “premier national sponsor” for Walk MS for the 5th consecutive year.

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