Shake, Rattle and Roll

On the Cutting Edge: A Parkinson’s Disease Discussion

 Presented by: Michael S. Okun, M.D.

Michael S. Okun, MD, will enter into a discussion based on his new book, Parkinson'sTreatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life.  The book addresses how to live well with Parkinson’s and all of the new and emerging therapies.

DATE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2013

TIME: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

LOCATION:

Bethany Lutheran Church

Fellowship Hall

4500 E. Hampden Ave.

Englewood, Colorado

RSVP:   Parkinson Association of the Rockies at 303-830-1839 or email info@parkinsonrockies.org

 

Michael S. Okun, MD, is currently Administrative Director and Co-director of the Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration which is part of the Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, the McKnight Brain Institute, and the University of Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Okun is dedicated to an interdisciplinary care concept.  Since 2006, he has served as the National Medical Director for the National Parkinson Foundation.

Dr. Okun has dedicated much of his career to the development of care centers for people with movement disorders. He has enjoyed a prolific research career and he has participated in pioneering studies exploring the cognitive, behavioral, and mood effects of deep brain stimulation  

Dr. Okun is considered a world’s authority on Parkinson’s disease both in the areas of clinical care and in research.  He has answered over 20,000 patient questions on the National Parkinson Foundation free forum, Ask the Doctor.

Michael S. Okun, MD, received his B.A. in History from Florida State University, and his M.D. from the University of Florida. He completed an internship and Neurology residency at the University of Florida. Following residency he was trained at Emory University in movement disorders.

Sponsored by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus School of Medicine

Parkinson’s and Resilience: Got It? Get It!

On Friday, August 23, 2013 from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm (Eastern US time), Carol Walton and Dr. Jeffrey Wertheimer will be guests on Mary Spremulli’s Voice Aerobics Talking 2 You  on – Blog Talk Radio discussing the findings of a survey on Resilience and Parkinson’s disease,which was produced by The Parkinson Alliance.

The survey entitled, “Resilience in Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease with and without Deep Brain Stimulation,” was performed to obtain a better understanding of the prevalence and the characteristics related to resilience in people with Parkinson’s. In addition, the results of the survey provide an opportunity to implement new approaches to enhance quality of life.

Program information:

Parkinson’s and Resilience: Got it? Get it!

Voice Aerobics Talking 2 You

Friday, August 23, 2013

12:30 pm to 1:00 pm (Eastern US time)

Guests: Carol Walton, CEO, The Parkinson Alliance

Jeffrey Wertheimer, Ph.D., Chief Research Consultant for The Parkinson
Alliance, and Head of Neuropsychology and Clinical Training Director at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Host: Mary Spremulli, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist in private practice and a blogger.

The monthly radio programs focus on issues affecting people living with Parkinson’s and other neurogenic conditions. The listening audience is invited to call in with questions or comments.

To connect with this particular radio program, click on:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voice-aerobics/2013/08/23/parkinsons-and-resilience-got-it-get-it

To call in to speak to the host during this live program, call (347) 838-9137.

To learn more about Mary Spremulli, check out the following:

Mary Spremulli, MA, CCC-SLP

Voice Aerobics, LLC

www.voiceaerobicsdvd.com

Read more: http://voiceaerobicsdvd.blogspot.com/

http://about.me/mary.spremulli

 Listen at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/voice-aerobics

Inspirational Daughter

By John Evans

 

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2005. My wife and I selected the
University of Maryland Movement Disorder Center for my treatments. The Center has been wonderful, with an amazing staff of doctors and staff. I am now in mid-stage Parkinson's, with standard movement problems and medication off times. We were forced to close our home inspection business due to a fear of falling from a ladder or roof.

 

About five years ago, my daughter founded Promises for Parkinson's, a
non-profit fund raising organization.  Her intention was to raise awareness of the disease and to help fund research.  The University of Maryland has received $36,000 from Promises. Over 90% of donations are directed to the University's center.  Our 4th annual Hike the Park for Parkinson's is scheduled for September 7 at 8 AM. This has been an all volunteer effort, with my daughter devoting an incredible amount of personal time. 

 

Information is available at:  www.promisesforparkinsons.org. 

 

John Evans

Bel Air, Maryland

Contact:  stacey@promisesforparkinsons.org 

 

To learn more about John's story, check this out:  http://somvweb.som.umaryland.edu/absolutenm/templates/?a=2267&z=83

Farewell to Valerie Graham

Written by Kate Kelsall

Kate Kelsall (left) and Valerie Graham (right) at the meeting of the Bionic Brigade (Denver's DBS Support Group) on July 12, 2013.

Valerie Graham is almost en route to her new home in southern California. It has been a great privilege to know Valerie as a friend, colleague and mentor for the past seven years. We were introduced by mutual friends, and we first met over pie and coffee in the spring of 2006. We both had Parkinson’s and both had gone through DBS. We felt there was a strong need for a group that would provide a safe haven where those with questions about DBS and those with personal experiences about DBS could exchange information. Within months, we formed the DBS support group, now currently called the Bionic Brigade, with our first meeting being in October 2006, and we’ve been going strong ever since.

A year later we created volunteer positions at the University of Colorado Hospital which allowed us to work directly with patients and their families through the lengthy pre- and post-surgical periods in our roles of patient and family liaisons.

In 2010, we traveled to Scotland for the World Parkinson’s Congress. It took us more than a day to reach our ultimate destination, flying from Denver to Chicago, Chicago to London, and London to Glasgow. Among the biggest hurdles we faced were the seemingly endless concourses at Heathrow and the long lines passing through security and customs. And upon arrival in Scotland we were confused and asked frequent questions of the hotel staff such as what time was it, was it day time or night time, what day of the week was it. Let’s just say that if we were tested by our neurologists, we would have certainly failed the mental status exam.

Valerie has a long list of accomplishments. Some of them include: She was featured as an inspirational person with Parkinson’s on the David Phinney Foundation website, wrote and got published her article, Fate Lends a Helping Hand on the Parkinson’s Alliance website, was appointed the Congressional Coordinator for the 6th Congressional District of Colorado on behalf of the Parkinson’s Action Network, received the KMGH Channel 7 television’s “Everyday Hero” award along with Kate that recognized outstanding local volunteers, participated in the 2nd Clinical Research Learning Institute in New Jersey and formed a Colorado nonprofit corporation, DBS Voices of the Rockies. Her more recent accomplishments include the publication of her article, Miracles Do Happen, and her video entitled My Letter to Dear Abi which will be receiving an Honorable Mention award at the World Parkinson’s Congress in Montreal in October of this year.

Throughout much of the time when Valerie was so active in the PD and DBS communities, she also experienced numerous DBS-related complications. Despite these challenges, she remained tenacious, optimistic and hopeful.

The following written by Amanda Bradley reminds me of Valerie: “Some people seem to specialize in doing thoughtful deeds. Before you ask, they understand your problems and your needs. They help because they want to. They find joy in being kind. And making others happy is the first thing on their minds. They make this world a better place by practicing the art of reaching out to others and by giving from the heart.”

Thank you so much, Valerie, for giving from the heart. May you always be as happy as you make others. Colorado’s PD and DBS communities’ loss is California’s gain. We’ll miss you, Valerie, and wish you well.

The Best Parkinson's Blogs of 2013

I was delighted to receive an award from Healthline for Shake, Rattle and Roll, one of the 15 best Parkinson’s blogs in 2013. It made me smile that they have “figured me out.”

The 15 Best Parkinsons Blogs of 2013

Written by Mary Ellen Ellis | Winners selected by Tracy Rosecrans | Medically Reviewed on July 25, 2013 by George Krucik, MD, MBA

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-parkinsons-blogs#2

Shake, Rattle and Roll

Blogger Kate Kelsall tells all on her candid Parkinson’s blog cleverly entitled Shake, Rattle and Roll.  Having lived with this disease for 16 years, Kelsall knows a thing or two about managing symptoms, searching for treatments, and even playing the accordion.

However, don’t let her disarming exterior fool you. Kelsall is one tough cookie, and Parkinson’s disease has met in her a formidable foe. Learn from her tireless enthusiasm for life, rejoice in her successes, and share in her challenges.

You’ll be glad she’s on your side when PD symptoms come a-calling.