As part of Parkinson's Awareness Month, I am participating by utilizing the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's Toolkit of ideas to raise awareness! Here is my letter to the editor printed in our community papers:
To the Editor:
This April, I urge our
neighbors to take part in Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Nearly one million
Americans live with Parkinson’s and many of them, including my husband are
living right here in Berkeley Springs, WV.
There is currently no cure.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is "a chronic and progressive movement
disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time.
Parkinson's involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in
the brain, called neurons. Parkinson's primarily affects neurons in the
area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Some of these dying
neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the
brain that controls movement and coordination, as well as cognitive functions.
As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases,
leaving a person unable to control movement normally. Primary motor signs
of Parkinson's disease include tremor, brandykinesia (slowness), rigidity,
stiffness, postural instability."
Imagine being just 49 years old with a large family when a
neurologist explains that the reason your movement is restricted, muscles
experience terrible pain, walking appears intoxicated, sleep is elusive
and you occasionally "freeze" while doing
simple tasks is because you have a degenerative disease
called Parkinson's. Our youngest children were only 3 and 4 years
old.
But that didn't stop our
family! Through PD awareness and support of a strong and loving church
and family, we are conquering this illness through the power of prayer,
positive attitude and exercise. With constant activity and connection
with caring experts in movement disorders, we have come to manage what was a
devastating diagnosis. Although the journey can sometimes be
"shaky", it has been also been joyous; learning to live daily by
counting God's blessings, realizing that each day is a new opportunity to be
healthy.
I invite you to show your
support for others living daily with chronic illness to "Wear Grey for
Parkinson's Awareness!" on April 13th.
For more information,
please contact the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Follow our story at www.excusemecanitellyousomething.blogspot.com
where you can submit your photo and global pictures will be posted. Show your support and awareness, “wear grey”
on Saturday, April 13th!
Sincerely,
Angie Hott
Berkeley Springs, WV
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