April 26 Benefit Planned—

Independent Newtowner Won’t Let MS,

Or A Broken Van, Keep Her Down

By John Voket

During more than two decades working at Danbury Hospital, including responsibilities managing the Center for Child and Adolescent Treatment Services or CCATS, Fran Walczak provided countless individuals and families with cheery and heartfelt support. But in 2001, the multiple sclerosis she was diagnosed with many years earlier flared up and in the space of just a few weeks, she was forced into an extended hospital stay and out of her job.

She told The Newtown Bee recently that during that time, her now ex-husband, “could not manage my illness so he deserted me, taking all of our finances with him.”

Ms Walczak said she was too ill to live on her own, so she moved to an assisted living facility in Danbury called The Gardens.

“I used my IRA account to pay for my stay there,” she said. And while her doctors felt that she would “‘never be able to live independently,’ through the grace of God and a great deal of determination on my part, I moved out two-and-a-half years later.”

Driving a handicapped-equipped van, which Ms Walczak purchased with dwindling funds, she relocated into a handicapped apartment in Danbury.

That is when life started coming at her in real time.

“I had to reinvent myself on many, many levels,” she admitted, “not the least of which was going from a salary of $100,000-plus to a little over $30,000 that I receive from long-term disability and Social Security.”

Unable to qualify for health insurance coverage because of her MS, Ms Walczak was challenged to make ends meet on Medicare.

“I had to struggle six months out of every year when the State of Connecticut [determines] I ‘make too much money,’ so I’m on ‘spenddown’ instead of Medicaid,” she said. The benefits she receives still leave her with a $1,900 out-of -pocket expense every month to cover the cost of her MS IV therapy.

“Each year my medical bills exceed my income by almost $15,000. But I have managed because I have learned to live a much simpler life...placing less importance on things,” she said.

Today, Ms Walczak lives in a simple, handi-accessible home in Sandy Hook, and drives a 1998 Ford Windstar handicapped van.

But in this past year she has faced more than $7,000 in maintenance and repair costs on the aging vehicle.

“I drove it this past winter without a heater because I could not afford the expense of fixing it [another $800],” Ms Walczak said. “I need a new van, but in the past eight years I have never had more then $25 in my savings account.”

In fact, last year was the first time since she became independent that Ms Walczak was able to enjoy a brief vacation.

‘My life is very simple, but I am so grateful for every day I can live outside of a nursing home,” she said.

Ms Walczak said that “God has blessed me in ways that are impossible to describe, but they occur daily...I live in a wonderful apartment in Sandy Hook, I have a tremendous support group of friends in my life. I spend my energy now in activities that involve giving back.”

She passes her time working with the Girl Scouts several hours a week, teaching an anti-bullying program called “Girlz Rule.” She also serves as a board member for the Newtown Parent Connection,

“I an actively involved in my own 12-step program...and I see my being in a wheelchair now as an opportunity to teach others about the possibilities of joy and hope,” she said. “Because that is what [living with MS] has taught me. It has also taught me about asking for help and not being afraid of humbling oneself.”

During her years working at Danbury Hospital and at CCATS, Ms Walczak became very well known throughout the region. Since she has enjoyed traveling through the region in her van, doing things like shopping and visiting, she has encountered many old friends who have asked, “...how can I help you?”

After enjoying giving back, and living a simple life with little to want, Ms Walczak is finally ready to respond to those offers for help. She is planning a fundraiser on Sunday, April 26, at St Rose Gym on Church Hill Road from 1 to 4 pm.

“I really want it to be a sort of a ‘meet and greet,’ where folks could stop by and say hello in person,” she said. There will also be an account established in her name at the Union Savings Bank in Newtown where friends and neighbors can send donations if they so desire.

“I am not being boastful when I say that I have many, many friends whom I think would help. I just need to get the word out,” Ms Walczak said. “So I am turning to my hometown paper, The Newtown Bee, to help spread the word.”

Anyone who wants to get in touch with Ms Walczak may call her at 364-9754, and anyone who would like to catch up in person is welcome to attend the planned meet and greet. Light refreshments will be served.

“This is where you will find me now, in this second phase of my life,” Ms Walczak said, “which over the last six years, has been a journey with many, many potholes along the way. This is a very different life than my last one.”