After Mom’s Diagnosis, Marlboro Student Raises $1K For MS Charity

MANALAPAN, NJ – Ever since she was a child, Manalapan resident Laila Potosky has always described her mom as her super hero. From serving as the PTO President of her elementary school for years to taking on treasurer duties at the local temple, Potosky’s mother was known as someone who could (and would) do “everything and anything for anybody.”

But on Aug. 15 of last year, Laila’s otherwise healthy mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an unpredictable disease that affects the central nervous system and disrupts the communication of information between the brain and the body.

“It came as a complete shock to my entire family – my mom is extremely healthy and constantly exercises,” said Potosky. “Throughout the past year my mom has had ups and downs, but her strength and commitment to her health and her family inspired me to give back in honor of her disease.”

According to Potosky, 17, it was witnessing her mother’s own strength and resilience in the face of her diagnosis that inspired her to start her own business.

Since July, the incoming Marlboro High School senior has spent her quarantine crafting colorful bracelets and selling the creations online, with all proceeds going directly to the National MS Society. Taking her skills learned from her time spent at Black Bear Lake Day Camp in Millstone, the teen told Patch that she has since spent hours per day creating commissions for customers around the world through her initiative MS Strong Bracelets.

“I knew I always wanted to do something to raise awareness for her disease, and I wanted to help the community of other people with MS so I decided to take my talent and open this business up," Potosky told Patch. "Basically, I make all these bracelets and I sell them. It’s been quite a shock to me how fast this has taken off so far.”

Potosky says that the business has even received orders from Denmark, Germany and the United Kingdom since July. Alongside raising over $1,000 for the National MS Society through the sale of nearly 200 bracelets, the young Manalapan resident says that she has made connections with individuals all over the globe, sharing similar experiences with the uncertain diagnosis.

“I can definitely do other things with my time, but it just makes me feel so good that I can help people all over the world,” Potosky said. “Usually the people that I don’t know that buy it are people with MS already. There have been a few people that I’ve chatted with that thank me for sharing my mom’s story and ask me ‘does it get better?’. Basically giving hope to other people.”

Although MS Strong Bracelets has only seen one month of business, Potosky doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. In fact, the student plans to continue bracelet sales through college in hopes of donating more money to MS research and starting a club to raise awareness for the disease.

“Me and my mom never thought this would take off. We thought, ‘maybe 100, 200 dollars to donate,'" said Potosky. "We still would’ve been thrilled. But this took off. We’re taking this day by day and I’m glad people are hearing her story and how much strength she has. She’s the most selfless person I’ve ever met. I just aspire to be like her.”

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