Ann Sharkshnas

Ann has had an interesting career in the HVAC industry. She started out doing duct cleaning work for a contractor in Greenville, North Carolina. From there she went on to administrative positions for another HVAC contractor, then later for a builder in Greenville.

The news was totally unexpected, and since that time she has tried her best to keep hope as the disease progressed. She eventually had to quit working because of the disease, which has been catastrophic not only physically, but emotionally and financially as well. She currently lives alone with her dog and has had a hard time getting around, particularly up the stairs to her bedroom. A donation allowed a stair lift to be installed which made things more accessible. In 2014 her furnace and air conditioner had to be replaced, and this represented a major financial hurdle. Living in North Carolina with MS (which is exacerbated with heat) is untenable without air-conditioning. Ann was able to purchase the system on credit however, but she could only make the minimum payment of $123 per month. While the payment was small, its impact was large. It meant she had to make trade-off decisions every month about day to day needs as well as those exclusive to her disease. One day while sitting in a doctor’s office waiting for her appointment, she read about the Joseph Groh foundation in an MS related magazine. She

Ann is hopeful that she will be able to get back to an optimal level of functioning, and have less swelling and discoloration in her lower legs and feet that stem from venous insufficiency. Ann sent the foundation a note following payment of her air-conditioner which said in part, “Thank you sooo very much, it was such a relief that I was able to afford noncovered medical items this month along with medicine and gas for my van. I’m not too proud to admit that every penny counts! You’ve probably heard this before, but your unselfish efforts, willingness, along with your ability to help others as you do is not only moving, touching and admirable to say the least, but encouraging, inspirational and motivational as well. Again, thank you very much!”