Welcome !
Oscar the MS Monkey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a focus on serving the pediatric multiple sclerosis community. Through care packages, family camp (Buddy Bash), Oscar's Teen Camp, and Oscar's Camp for Young Adults with MS, Oscar creates a network of connection, learning, and support.
Vision Statement
Helping reduce the life changing realities of Pediatric MS by providing age appropriate resources, advocacy, and community.
Mission Statement
Supporting kids and families on their journey
with multiple sclerosis
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Multiple sclerosis is uncommon in children. As pediatric multiple sclerosis separates children from the norm, we celebrate each child’s unique story. Each unique characteristic of a child’s story presents a different point of view, experience, belief, and value. Combined, these differences create a beautiful community of support, understanding, maturity, and familiarity.
We do not discriminate based on sex, age, race, financial ability, or any other form of discrimination. Oscar the MS Monkey offers equal opportunities to all clients.
Oscar’s Story
Once an avid knitter, with the onset of Emily’s MS at age 14, came pain with the yarn crossing her fingers. A friend had taught her to make sock monkeys just prior to her diagnosis at age 15, so she became an avid sock monkey creator! Oscar began as a humble pair of hunting socks, found at a neighborhood farm-supply store. Emily had been creating sock monkeys from the normal red-heel socks and decided to create someone more colorful and representative of her own MS battle. Once created, Emily was known to bring sock monkeys to her family to either announce their names, or to request help in naming the newly sewn individuals. There is an on-going family debate about whether Emily or her dad actually named Oscar…but the name stuck and it suits him well!
Once created, Emily began to bring Oscar out in public to speaking engagements and other MS events. He became more widely known in the local community, but he wanted more attention and asked for Emily to create a Facebook page for him. She happily assisted him with this and together they set out to reach more kids and teens with MS or similar disease.
As Oscar began to meet individuals on-line, they often requested he visit. Of course, it is difficult for a sock monkey to travel unattended, and Emily was not inclined to let him travel alone as she relied on him for love and support. With that in mind, Emily created the Buddies! Orange Buddies are created and sent to those who have been diagnosed with MS, while teal-colored Buddies are enjoyed by those who support someone with MS.
More than 800 Buddies have made their way into the world. Together, they have supported individuals through needle pokes, MRIs (Buddy’s are MRI safe), hospital stays, and even the new rigors of college. They reside in countries across the globe and offer a connection like no other.
Each Buddy is hand-crafted and has its own personality and charm. Oscar still trains each Buddy for the life that lies ahead. Each is capable of listening, hugging, snuggling, traveling in backpacks, and so much more!