Parkinson's Disease Support Group
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...
I was diagnosed in 2004, I was 45 years old - a husband, a father to a fourteen year old daughter, and was an otherwise a fairly healthy man. The neurologist said We believe you have Parkinsons disease. I had genetic testing done and surprisingly I have none of the major genetic markers the doctors expected. I had intimate knowledge about PD as my father suffered with it for 20 years. It took me time to digest the fact that I had it too.
My reaction to being diagnosed was not unique,
ranging from denial to eventual acceptance.
In 2006, my wife convinced me to come with her to a local Parkinson group meeting. Since it was a rainy night and there was no fishing, I went to the meeting.
After 5 years in my support group, I was motivated to take action and be assertive in fund raising.
Through the group I learned about the Parkinson's Unity Walk. (The major fund raiser for PD research.)
I thought maybe I could raise $500. To my surprise, I raised over $1500. I am humbled by the support and generosity of my family and friends, and their family and friends.
This year the Unity Walk in New York City is on April 27th. I have received a commitment to match dollar for dollar donation up to $5000.00. This is huge and generous.
It is my hope that I can help raise awareness of this disease. It is my hope that new therapies will be discovered to improve the quality of life for those suffering with Parkinson's. It is my hope that there will be a cure for PD in my lifetime.
The Parkinson's Unity Walk shares my hopes, and is committed to raising funds for research until a cure is found. 100% of donations go to research funded by the major U.S. Parkinson's organizations.
I am living my life with Parkinsons disease and not letting Parkinsons live my life for me. Whether it is the daily frustrations of typing a simple email and having to hit the backspace key on almost every other word or the daunting task of bending down to pet my cat, I overcome these challenges. What keeps me going is the knowledge that we are all doing as much as possible to raise funds, so the scientists and researchers can continue their work and move us closer to a cure.
Please make a donation now.
http://unitywalk.kintera.org/2013/alex?faf=1&e=6498437875
My reaction to being diagnosed was not unique,
ranging from denial to eventual acceptance.
In 2006, my wife convinced me to come with her to a local Parkinson group meeting. Since it was a rainy night and there was no fishing, I went to the meeting.
After 5 years in my support group, I was motivated to take action and be assertive in fund raising.
Through the group I learned about the Parkinson's Unity Walk. (The major fund raiser for PD research.)
I thought maybe I could raise $500. To my surprise, I raised over $1500. I am humbled by the support and generosity of my family and friends, and their family and friends.
This year the Unity Walk in New York City is on April 27th. I have received a commitment to match dollar for dollar donation up to $5000.00. This is huge and generous.
It is my hope that I can help raise awareness of this disease. It is my hope that new therapies will be discovered to improve the quality of life for those suffering with Parkinson's. It is my hope that there will be a cure for PD in my lifetime.
The Parkinson's Unity Walk shares my hopes, and is committed to raising funds for research until a cure is found. 100% of donations go to research funded by the major U.S. Parkinson's organizations.
I am living my life with Parkinsons disease and not letting Parkinsons live my life for me. Whether it is the daily frustrations of typing a simple email and having to hit the backspace key on almost every other word or the daunting task of bending down to pet my cat, I overcome these challenges. What keeps me going is the knowledge that we are all doing as much as possible to raise funds, so the scientists and researchers can continue their work and move us closer to a cure.
Please make a donation now.
http://unitywalk.kintera.org/2013/alex?faf=1&e=6498437875
HI ALEX,
LONG TIME NO CONTACT.
I AM PUTTING THAT TO RIGHT, RIGHT NOW.
BOY OH BOY! WHAT A POST!
ALEX THAT HAS JUST GOT TO BE THE BEST POST I HAVE EVER SEEN ON THIS SITE.
YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED SIR, FOR THE STYLE, THE ISSUE, THE SUBJECT AND NOT TO MENTION THE APPEAL.
I THINK YOU HAVE SAID IT ALL. I FEEL IT IS SO WELL PUT,
I COULD NOT EVEN MATCH IT, LEAST OF ALL BETTER IT.
I HAVE BEEN THE FOCUS OF MUCH POSITIVE FEED BACK FROM YOUR GOOD SELF OVER THE YEARS, WELL NOW IT IS THE REVERSE, YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT.
IT IS YOUR MOST VERY GOOD SELF, THAT HAS INSPIRED ME WITH THIS POST. I AM A BETTER MAN FOR THE INSPIRATION I FEEL AFTER READING THIS POST.
ONCE AGAIN I SAY, WELL DONE ALEX, WHAT AN INSPIRATION READING THIS POST. THANK YOU.
MAINTAIN A WINNING POSITION,
STEWART / ALIVEO
.
Wish I had the funds to donate more, but the matching funds you managed to secure makes all your donations go so much further. (Not sure how you did that - but that's a deal that's too hard to resist!)
I especially appreciate you sharing your story with us (if you have before, I must have missed it). I have been going thru one of those stages where I go from mad to sad that others around me just don't get what it is like to live with PD....only those diagnosed with PD truly understand what it's like on a daily basis. That is why I love & care about all of you (and your stories) so very much!
Take Care of yourself & keep us posted on how the fundraising is going. I cannot wait to see what you are able to raise - especially since you are including your friends here!!!
Thank you for all you do to raise funds for Parkinson's research funded by the Parkinson's Unity Walk. Your $5,000 match is awesome! Look forward to walking together with you on April 27th in Central Park.
Helaine Isaacs
Event Director
Parkinson's Unity Walk
What can I say, this post has stopped me in my tracks and made me think. Sometimes you come across something which has such an effect that you need a while to process it into questioning what you are doing and where you are headed.
It has inspired me to be more than I am.
Thank you Alex,
Julie