Watch above: students painters make a lasting impression on woman living with multiple sclerosis
SASKATOON – For Judy Penill, everyday tasks can be difficult. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis ten years ago, and says living with the disease has been a tough learning experience.
“My neurologist had told me I’d be in a wheelchair within three or four years, and I’ve been thankfully managing to stay out of the chair,” Penill explained.
Despite Penill’s fighting spirit, it can often be very difficult for her to walk, let alone do chores.
“I can’t spend a lot of time working in the kitchen and stuff like that. It’s a chore just to even think about getting something done.”
She said a task like painting is unthinkable. Fortunately, a crew of University of Saskatchewan students stepped up to help out.
“We’re doing some charity work. We do it in every large city all over Western Canada for someone who is battling multiple sclerosis,” explained Megan Shpyth, district manager with Student Works Painting West.
Each year, Student Works Painting employees volunteer to paint a local home. This year, Penill’s home was chosen.
“We’ve been with the Multiple Sclerosis Society for about ten years as national sponsors,” Shpyth explained.
When Penill found out, she was thrilled.
“It’s very, very very exciting. In the living room and kitchen we’re putting in a red, and a taupe for a couple walls in each room too,” she explained.
“We use Cloverdale Paint, so they’ve been kind enough to donate all the paints to us,” said Shpyth.
The volunteer initiative began 10 years ago, when the owner of Student Works Painting went searching for a way to give back to his community.
“Due to the owner’s wife battling MS, that’s kind of how we narrowed it down to the MS society,” Penill said.
Now, every time Penill looks at her perfectly painted walls, she sees the kindness and generosity that went into them.
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