Laugh, Fight Multiple Sclerosis In Fircrest

Jim Akins was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at only 32 years old.

Almost immediately — and soon after he and his family moved from their hometown of Joplin, MO to the Northwest — his condition worsened. It affected his vision, motor skills and, eventually, the use of his legs.

Akins is an active, loving and kind father who cherishes the time with his family, according to his daughter, Sonnie Kron. But in 2008, he lost all use of his legs.

Atkins has been bound to a wheelchair ever since.

“My mom has done her very best taking care of him over the years, but it reached a point about two months ago that she could no longer do it on her own,” Kron said. “At the age of 46, we had to separate my father from our family and put him in an adult care home where he could get better care that we are not able to give."

“It is very hard to watch my mom’s heartbreak, losing her husband she loves so much,” she says, “And my dad, so sad at where this disease has left him."

But Kron and the rest of Akins’ family and friends refuse to sit back and do nothing. In fact, they’re going to take on MS laughing.

With the help of her good friend (and one of rockstars, er, founders) Amber Mclean, Kron has coordinated a funnyraiser at 6 p.m., next Sunday, June 5.

That’s right. A funny-raiser. What does that entail, you ask? Think comedy for a cause to help raise money towards Akins’ mounting medical bills and the MS Foundation for research.

Not only can you expect to have your funny bone tickled, but a local group of hula dancers are scheduled to close the show. There will also be free Round Table Pizza (again with its ) and an auction with goodies to score, including tickets to see the Mariners, a makeover at Brag Hair Salon, a membership to Tacoma Art Place and much, much more.

If there’s a big enough turnout, the family hopes to have enough money to donate to tornado relief in its hometown of Joplin.

According to the Multiple Sclerosis website, there are currently 350,000 to 500,000 people in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with MS. Two hundred people are diagnosed with MS every week and more than 2.5 million people are living with the disease worldwide.

Symptoms include loss of muscle control and strength, motor and sensory issues like loss of sight and basic but necessary tasks, like walking. There is no cure for MS, a very debilitating disease that attacks the nervous system, damaging primarily the brain and spinal cord.

To participate and support the cause of curing MS, you can attend the event at the Fircrest Community/Recreation Center, 555 Contra Costa Ave. To purchase tickets (only $40 per person or $70 per couple), visit mypeaceout.org. There you can buy the tickets in the form of a donation and they will be mailed to you. You can also contact Sonnie Kron at 253-414-2406, or Amber McLean 253-254-3616 for more information.