Thanks to our sponsors 

                                 

DIAMOND ($5,000)

Teva

PLATINUM ($2,000)

   Medtronic

GOLD ($1,000)

Brightstar Healthcare

SILVER ($500)

Central DuPage Hospital

Parkinson Disease

Research Society

Dr. Paul Riser,

Riser Rehabilitation

BRONZE ($250)

Senior Bridge

Family Company

Record turnout for Chapter’s 20th birthday celebration

Symposium covers new topics, attracts new partners

A record-breaking crowd of more than 350 people turned out to celebrate the APDA Midwest Chapter’s 20th birthday and the tremendous strides that have been made in managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms to help people live well longer with this progressive illness. Chapter President Maxine Dust led participants in singing “Happy Birthday” to the Midwest Chapter, followed by a toast  to a “Cure for Parkinson Disease.” A multi-tiered birthday cake decorated with tulips made the perfect dessert for this very special occasion.

“We put together an educational program that covered new ground for us — managing the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease,” said Jo-Ann Golec, Symposium chairperson  “As much as I’ve read and know about PD, I still learned a number of new things from our speakers. The overarching message is that there’s hope out there for all of us, regardless of our particular symptoms. If one treatment  doesn’t work for you, don’t despair, try another.”

Presenters included a neuro-ophthamologist, who discussed eye problems associated with PD; a urologist who spoke about urological and sexual issues related to PD; a movement disorders specialist who focused on currently available treatments and new ones in human clinical trials; a certified physical trainer who helps people with Parkinson’s develop exercise programs to safely improve their physical condition; and a Tai Chi  instructor.

“When we held our first Symposium 18 years ago, little was known of the benefits of exercise and other than L-Dopa many of the medications used today were not even on the market,” recalled Chapter President Maxine Dust. “DBS surgery was not even on the horizon.”

A new initiative combined this year’s Symposium with the Support Group Leaders’ annual workshop, bringing together leaders from our entire region (encompassing all of Illinois and Northwest Indiana) for a weekend of networking and learning. We have always wanted to meet with more of the support group leaders and thanks to our new I & R Center coordinator, Sarah Stukas, it all came together. People came from as away as Carbondale, Illinois. So many of the leaders expressed amazement at the large number of attendees. It would be very nice if this can happen again.

Finally, we want to thank our sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible and affordable for all.  “Although we had fewer sponsors than usual, those we did have were very generous,” said Jo-Ann Golec. “We came within $500 of making our budget, an amazing accomplishment in today’s difficult economic times.”

We are especially grateful for the volunteer efforts of students from Oak Lawn Community High School and their girls’ varsity basketball coach, Janet Haubenreiser. The group arrived at 7AM to help in any way they could.

The Chapter and the girls basketball program first partnered last September, when the group sponsored “The Sully Shuffle” a Walk in honor of former coach, Skip Sullivan who has PD. They raised $20,000 which they donated to research.

What a wonderful way to continue to celebrate our 20th year!  Thanks to all of you who participated and we hope to see you again next spring.