How it started…
In March of 2020 Kaleigh, founder of K. Scott Craft Co., was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis after experiencing a severe relapse. Due to this relapse, she temporarily lost all strength on her right side. Part of the recovery process included working on regaining her fine motor skills. Although her stay at the rehabilitation hospital was cut short due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was encouraged to continue with all therapies at home.
When exploring recreational therapy options to help improve her fine motor skills, Kaleigh came across polymer clay jewelry making. By the end of the day she had ordered all the supplies needed to explore the new medium. She quickly fell in love with the art form and decided to start her own small business and creative exploration in May of 2020.
Since the start of KSCC Kaleigh has been working on not only creating fun jewelry for all to wear, but also a platform to spread awareness about living with MS.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, which make up the central nervous system and controls everything we do. The exact cause of MS is unknown, but we do know that something triggers the immune system to attack the CNS. The resulting damage to myelin, the protective layer insulating wire-like nerve fibers, disrupts signals to and from the brain. This interruption of communication signals causes unpredictable symptoms such as numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory problems, pain, fatigue, blindness and/or paralysis. Everyone’s experience with MS is different and these losses may be temporary or long lasting. (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis Community
Since the beginning of K. Scott Craft Co., Kaleigh holds a fundraiser benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society every March during Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. To this date, KSCC has raised over $1,600 for research towards MS. She also has a team of family and friends that participate in Walk MS every May in Cheshire, CT. Contact us to find out how you can get involved.
Fun Fact: The Monarch Butterfly is recognized as a symbol for MS because they represent life transformation. Additionally, when you look at an MRI of the brain, it is shaped like a butterfly. This is why you will recognize that butterflies are a recurring theme at KSCC.