At a June 8 reception at the Farmington Country Club in Farmington, Wilton High School graduate Corey Fechter is honored by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, which has named Fetchter a 2010 Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Scholarship award recipient. At just 15, Fechter was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating disease for some. He will attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the fall. Pictured from left to right: Dr. William Petit, Jr., chairman of the National MS Society Hayley’s Hope & Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund Committee; Wilton resident and 2010 MS scholarship recipient Corey Fechter, and Lisa Gerrol, president of the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter.
Until now, no one but family and a few of his closest friends knew Corey Fechter’s secret – a difficult secret that could potentially forever change people’s perceptions of the young teen should they ever learn the truth. Having just graduated high school, the teen is coming out to raise awareness. It was Christmas break 2007 and Corey was playing ball in the front yard of his grandparents’ home in Florida. He noticed that the vision in his right eye had become blurry. He mentioned something about it to his mother, Michelle.
Right after his family returned home to Wilton, Michelle took Corey to his optometrist, who after a flurry of tests referred him to a neurologist. At just 15 and a sophomore in high school, Corey was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a potential debilitating disease of the central nervous system.
“The neurologist, Dr. Charisse Litchman, gave me the news,” said Corey, who has been named a National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter scholarship recipient. “Dr. Litchman explained to me that although I was among a select group of individuals without physical disability, many people with MS are confined to a wheelchair or even bed. She advised me to begin once-a-week injections to prevent the disease from progressing further. I asked her, ‘For how long?’ She told me that until a different treatment option was available or until a cure is discovered, otherwise, for the rest of my life. I walked out of the room knowing my life would be different from that moment forward.”
The effects of Corey’s MS were limited to his vision. The swift diagnosis and immediate therapy have, for the most part, kept his disease at bay.
“My only difficulty was blurriness in one eye, so at first I wasn’t overly concerned about the diagnosis,” said Corey, who while in high school participated on the swim, soccer and baseball teams and was also a member of the wind ensemble and marching band. “I didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for me, so I decided I would not tell my teachers, coaches or classmates about my diagnosis – only my closest friends.”
More than 6,000 Connecticut residents, like Corey, are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis generally affects women more than men and is most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Corey, however, is a member of a growing pediatric MS population. Estimates indicate that 450,000 Americans live with MS and of that number, 10,000 children under the age of 18 are also diagnosed with the disease. Symptoms related to MS are erratic and can include numbness and tingling in the extremities, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness, fatigue and, in some severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted, and there is no cure.
An athlete, Corey Fechter, 17, heads the ball in a soccer match. Neither his coaches nor his teammates know that Fetcher is battling a chronic, incurable disease – multiple sclerosis
In an ironic twist of fate, Corey’s aunt in Boulder, Colo., Laura Wolf, 50, had undergone foot surgery just before Corey began experiencing issues with his sight in 2008. Although receiving physical therapy, Wolf didn’t think the rehab was moving along as swiftly as might be expected. Suspicions that her difficulties walking were something unrelated to her surgery nagged at Wolf. She asked her surgeon if he thought she should see a neurologist. He told her that she needed to give the healing process more time. However, a few months later after hearing news of Corey’s diagnosis, Wolf decided to take matters into her own hands.
“I thought, ‘Enough,’” remembered Wolf. “I knew I needed another opinion. I visited a neurologist and was subsequently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. If it wasn’t for Corey, who kept his diagnosis a secret from most, months or even years may have gone by before I was accurately diagnosed and on therapy.”
Multiple sclerosis is not directly inherited, but research indicates genetics play an important role in who gets the disease. While the risk of developing MS in the general population is one in 750 the risk escalates to one in 40 for those having a close relative diagnosed with the disease. Even though identical twins share the same genetic makeup, the risk for identical twin is just one in four — which means that some factor(s) other than genetics are involved. Most scientists believe a combination of genetics and environment are involved.
The pair has become “MS Buddies,” as Corey likes to say. They share with one another the effects of MS on their lives. Wolf walks with a limp these days and from time to time, experiences spasticity. Corey’s vision, once blurry in his right eye, has corrected itself but he now wrestles with a cloudy left eye. Beyond that, he has no other symptoms. However, with each weekly injection and the ensuing flu-like symptoms, Corey is reminded regularly of the seriousness of his condition.
“I cannot remember a day living without MS,” said Corey, now 17. “But when all is said and done, MS has changed my life for the better. Since my diagnosis, I only focus on the positive and the things I can control. Multiple sclerosis has taught me that there is no sense worrying about the things for which I have no control and cannot change.”
Corey plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in the fall. He said while at school he hopes to discover where his passions may lie and looks forward to building new relationships. And while he was able to keep his illness a secret throughout high school, he knows that it will be more difficult to keep under wraps in college.
“Living in a dorm setting, storing my meds in the fridge and then the weekly injections and resulting side effects are going to necessitate I share more openly,” said Corey, who is now ready to use his story to encourage others. “I’m looking forward to everything college life has to offer.
Corey is one of five Connecticut high school seniors receiving a college scholarship from the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter through the Hayley’s Hope and Michaela’s Miracle MS Memorial Fund.
“The scholarship from the Connecticut Chapter will help ease some of the financial worries associated with my education,” said Corey. “I want to experience everything college life has to offer and look forward to discovering where my passions lie.”
The Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle MS Scholarship is a program provided by the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter. Funding for the program is made possible through the Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial Fund. The fund was established in 2007 by the Petit family to honor the memory of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, who had MS, and her daughters Hayley and Michaela.
“I know that Jennifer would be very proud of the scholarships that have been awarded from the Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial Fund this year,” said Dr. William Petit Jr., the husband of Jennifer and father of Hayley and Michaela. “She would be happy to know that these funds raised to honor and remember what Hayley and Michaela worked for are helping those who have MS and whose families are affected by MS. She lived with the many daily and variable symptoms of MS, especially fatigue. She wanted her daughters to become as educated as possible while remembering to help others and lead by example. The funds awarded these students allow them to go forward and enhance their educations and to 'Be the change they want to see in the world' as happier and more productive members of society.”
The Connecticut Chapter offers scholarships annually to vocational, technical or college-bound high school seniors diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or applicants whose parent has multiple sclerosis.
“We are delighted to present this scholarship to Corey,” said Lisa Gerrol, Connecticut Chapter president. “In addition to his academic, musical and athletic successes, Corey has demonstrated great poise and true courage in the face of a challenging and somewhat daunting diagnosis.”
As Corey prepares to for college life far from home and family, he’s holding fast to his positive outlook, remaining others focused and looking forward to the lives he is able to touch elsewhere.
“Living with MS has taught me to relax and really appreciate the little things in life,” said Corey. “Multiple sclerosis has enabled me to better understand that life is all we make of it. I could be very depressed, and by most standards, have every right to be. But I would much rather use my experiences to better other people’s lives. When I make someone smile or laugh, my day is complete. “
Scholarship applications for the 2011 school year will be available online in October. For more information on MS or for additional information on 2011 scholarship criteria, please contact the Connecticut Chapter at 860-913-2550 or visit www.ctfightsMS.org.
