In the LymeLight: Three Decades Later, One Mother Keeps Walking for MS

Celebrating Neighbors Whose Stories Brighten Lyme and Old Lyme

From inspiring feats to everyday deeds, In the LymeLight recognizes the people with ties to our community whose dedication makes a difference.

OLD LYME, CT – Edyse Smith is about to embark on her 30th Walk MS event, a family tradition that has raised almost $150,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 

The longtime Old Lyme resident participated in her first regional walk in the spring of 1996 as a personal tribute to a friend with MS. The connection hit even closer to home in November of the same year when her daughter, Jody Smith, was diagnosed with the disease at age 22. 

In 1997, Edyse enlisted her family to walk with her as part of the Mickey Mouse Milers fundraising team. The name was an homage to Jody’s lifelong love of the Disney character. 

They’ve been teaming up ever since. 

Edyse emphasized research is key to a cure, and fundraising helps make research possible. She recalled there were far fewer medical interventions available when Jody was diagnosed. 

“But over the years, through the research and more medications coming out, there’s more hope for people that are newly diagnosed with MS,” Smith said. 

MS is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The MS Society said symptoms can include fatigue, numbness, vision problems and mobility challenges. 

Edyse said her daughter’s disease began with pain and numbness in her legs. 

“The symptoms would come and go, but over the years, they have increased to progressive,” she said, describing a form of the disease marked by steadily worsening challenges. 

Jody, 52, manages MS with the help of a walker and wheelchair. The past year brought the installation of a ramp at her Waterford home and a motorized wheelchair to enhance her range of motion, according to Edyse. 

“Jody used to be able to walk it,” she said of the annual fundraising event. “Now she gets pushed in a wheelchair, or, hopefully this year, she can use her new motorized chair.” 

She said the team is looking for someone with a van or a trailer who can transport Jody’s wheelchair to and from this year’s event at Camp Harkness in Waterford. 

Walk MS 2026 will be held on Saturday, April 25. The team, which started with Edyse’s two daughters, sister-in-law and niece, expanded over time to include Jody’s two daughters. This time around, Edyse said a new great-great-nephew will be pushed in a stroller – just like her great-niece was introduced to the event 25 years ago. 

As of Tuesday, Edyse was the event’s top individual fundraiser with $6,371 raised, according to the event website. 

Katia Sekaly, director of community events for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society chapter covering Connecticut and Rhode Island, said the organization provides resources and support for 11,000 people living with MS in this state. 

She confirmed Edyse’s three decades of fundraising have yielded almost $150,000. 

The national organization reports investing more than $1.1 billion to advance MS research since it began in 1946. Research is focused on halting symptoms, restoring lost function and finding a cure. Those interested in supporting Edyse’s fundraising efforts can visit her MS Walk page online.

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LYME/OLD LYME, CT – Several area students earned academic honors for the Fall 2025 semester at colleges and universities across the country.

Tabitha Colwell was named to the President’s List at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, where she is majoring in marketing. The distinction requires a grade point average of 3.70 or higher.

At Stonehill College in Massachusetts, Aidan Ward and Emmerson Kaye were both named to the Dean’s List. The honor recognizes students who achieve a GPA of at least 3.50.

Gabriella Ziegler was named to the Dean’s List at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, where students must achieve at least a 3.6 GPA as full-time students.

At the College of William & Mary in Virginia, Will Larson and Margaret Rommel were named to the Dean’s List, which also requires a 3.6 GPA.

The University of Rhode Island named the following students to its Dean’s List: John Almy, Lily Grow, Ali Kelley, Sophia Marinelli, Bella Orlando and Audrey Spiegel. The honor is reserved for students with a GPA of at least 3.3.

At Fairfield University, Alexa Aldi, Lauren Creagan and Angus Griffin earned Dean’s List honors for those with a minimum 3.5 GPA.

Mason Freer was named to the University of Mississippi’s Dean’s Honor Roll, awarded to students with a GPA between 3.50 and 3.74.

At Tufts University in Massachusetts, Eli Ryan and Ella Halsey were named to the Dean’s List, which requires a GPA of 3.4 or higher.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to correct the number of generations represented on the Mickey Mouse Milers team.