Parkinson's Disease Tulip


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-30-2007, 09:18 PM #1
Stitcher's Avatar
Stitcher Stitcher is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,136
15 yr Member
Stitcher Stitcher is offline
Magnate
Stitcher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,136
15 yr Member
Heart 'Pedaling for Parkinson's' group hits RAGBRAI

'Pedaling for Parkinson's' group hits RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)

Friday, July 27, 2007 12:16 PM CDT
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2....txt?fromrss=1

By MOLLY HOTTLE, Courier Correspondent
CEDAR FALLS --- The members of the Pedaling For Parkinson's team had a different agenda than any of the other RAGBRAI riders who rolled through Cedar Falls yesterday.

They followed the leader of their team, Dr. Jay Alberts, to Allen Hospital for an informative seminar and dinner for a small gathering of Parkinson's disease patients and their families.

"We've had a great time on RAGBRAI so far," said Alberts. "It's been a little warm and windy, but that's Iowa in July."

Alberts, a native of Sanborn and a neurologist currently conducting studies for the disease at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, is marking his fifth year participating in the great bicycle ride across Iowa. Over the course of those five years, he has involved 12 individuals suffering from Parkinson's in the ride by way of tandem bicycles.

"What we are finding is that there is substantial improvement of a patient when they engage in exercise," he said. "This could potentially change the course of this disease, and that's what we're looking into now."

Parkinson's disease is a malady of the central nervous system that is linked to a decrease in dopamine production that causes neurons in the brain to fire uncontrollably. The symptoms often include cognitive and speech impairment, loss of movement control, tremors and rigidity. It is progressive, and a cure has yet to be found.

Alberts founded Pedaling For Parkinson's after suggesting to Parkinson's patient Carol Frazier that she was capable of cycling and invited her to join them on RAGBRAI in 2003. After riding tandem with Alberts, she had noticeably more control over her motor functions including movement and handwriting abilities.

"Carol said that for that week, she didn't feel like she had even had Parkinson's. After seeing her improved symptoms, it was clear to me that we needed to keep the group going further to raise awareness," said Alberts. "The main focus of our foundation is to provide awareness and raise research funds for Parkinson's Disease."

Since 2003, Alberts has based his study around the connection of the disease and fitness, testing individuals solely on the amount of exercise they participate in.

Sarah Orsay, CEO of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, also supported Alberts, his team and their cause by attending the dinner.

"Our mission is to fund research and fully support the studies being done," said Orsay. "Michael (J. Fox) often says, 'I feel it is my foundation's job to find a cure for Parkinson's' and what he means by that is, he wants all of us at the foundation to come in every day and say we're making steps to cure Parkinson's."

Orsay joined the Pedaling For Parkinson's team as they departed for Independence Thursday morning.

Sam Erwin, coordinator of the American Parkinson Disease Association of Iowa, was also in attendance to encourage and help. Being a Parkinson's patient herself, she was able to understand and sympathize with those suffering and their families.

"I think it's very important to remember that while there are many different foundations, we are all aiming at the same goal," said Erwin. "The reality of this is, they are going to go home and possibly talk more about it within their families."

JoAnne Collins, one of the researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, hasn't only seen Iowa for the first time on the ride, but also has been able to see firsthand what life is like for a person with Parkinson's while riding alongside her two Parkinson's-diagnosed teammates.

"This is a wonderful cause and watching them has been very inspiring," said Collins. "Aside from that, I just love Iowa."

After a research presentation by Dr. Alberts and a question and answer session, Alberts invited those in attendance to join their team for RAGBRAI 2008 and to not give up hope for a cure.
__________________
You're alive. Do something. The directive in life, the moral imperative was so uncomplicated. It could be expressed in single words, not complete sentences. It sounded like this: Look. Listen. Choose. Act. ~~Barbara Hall

I long to accomplish a great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. ~~Helen Keller
Stitcher is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Parkinson's: another look. Is Parkinson's disease caused by a bacteria?" rd42 Parkinson's Disease 5 12-13-2011 12:37 PM
Cognitive Problems In Parkinson's - A New Booklet From The Parkinson's Association Of Stitcher Parkinson's Disease 0 05-16-2007 11:34 AM
INSPIRATIONAL: Singer [w/Parkinson's] inspires in fight with Parkinson's Stitcher Parkinson's Disease 0 04-19-2007 03:56 PM
The Parkinson's Institute...New studies link the environment to Parkinson's disease Stitcher Parkinson's Disease 0 04-05-2007 04:09 PM
Michael J. Fox Tells ABC He Can 'Take Some Hits' olsen Parkinson's Disease 3 10-30-2006 08:28 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:25 AM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.