Wilton woman with ALS donates her paintings to charities
A Wilton woman is using her passion for painting as a way to raise money for ALS, a disease she has been fighting for the last few years. Karen Condron, a mother of five and former model, was diagnosed
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Apr 7, 2016, 12:40 AM
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Updated 3,263 days ago
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A Wilton woman is using her passion for painting as a way to raise money for ALS, a disease she has been fighting for the last few years.
Karen Condron, a mother of five and former model, was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2013.
The disease started to affect the accomplished painter's muscles, and because of that she lost her speech. The disease has also caused her difficulty swallowing and breathing.
Condron's husband Jim is now his wife's full-time caregiver. He says Condron used to be an avid runner and was active with work and other organizations, but says she has learned to make adjustments.
Despite the effects of the disease, Condron still does 30 minutes of exercise a day and even runs her own promotional products business online. Her family says she is more determined than ever.
"I don't think this has really slowed her down. I think this has driven her to push even harder and to even explore other things she hasn't done in the past," says Mark Condron, Jim and Karen's son.
Condron's determination and drive earned her the Wings over Wall Street "Spirit Award" in October. Her painting of Connecticut sunrises were displayed before hundreds of people as an ALS fundraiser.
Condron's family says they want to continue to stay strong.
"Fighting is a big deal, because if you don't fight, you lie down and feel sorry for yourself. You probably won't last," says Jim Condron.
Condron continues to donate many of her paintings to silent auctions benefitting several organizations.
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