Manchester Girl Meets Author and Holds Disabled Duck

At the 2011 National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter, Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, held Sunday, March 11, at the Rocky Hill Marriott in Rocky Hill, 10-year-old Madison Stanchick, of Manchester, poses with Lemon the Duck and her owner Laura Backman.

Stanchick attended the annual meeting with her grandmother, Elizabeth Flood, 60, who also lives in Manchester. Flood was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2004. Children’s book author and kindergarten teacher Laura Backman served as keynote speaker, sharing her personal connection to multiple sclerosis and speaking about living life to the fullest in the face of disability. She is the owner of Lemon the Duck, a pekin duck who was hatched six years ago in Backman’s kindergarten class.

Lemon, who is disabled, was born with a neurological disease similar to multiple sclerosis. Lemon cannot sit or stand on her own. Backman, whose father battled a progressive form of multiple sclerosis, has designed several assistive devices to help Lemon with mobility.

In 2008, Backman, who lives in Portsmouth, R.I.,  authored the children’s book, Lemon the Duck. The awards ceremony also featured a breakout session for children, which included a meet and greet with Lemon, a book reading by Laura Backman and photo opportunities with Backman and Lemon the Duck. For more information on Laura Backman and Lemon the Duck, visit www.lemontheduck.com. For more information on multiple sclerosis, its effects and the many ways to help make a difference, visit www.ctfightsMS.org.