WASHINGTON –Parkinson’s disease is getting even more attention after the world learned that Robin Williams was in the early stages of the illness before he died last month.
A local Parkinson’s foundation is hoping to use that momentum to spread awareness even more.
Sponsored by The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, the 3rd annual Walk Off Parkinson’s event will be held at Nationals Park today. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m. The event and parking are free.
The Walk Off Parkinson’s event is about raising awareness and funds; it’s also about connecting people to resources, organizers tell WTOP. They say there will be plenty of educational material available at the event, too.
Jared Cohen, president and CEO of the foundation, said some of the area’s leading physicians who specialize in Parkinson’s are expected to attend, and will be available to answer questions right there.
For Donna Schena, the foundation board chair, Parkinson’s became very personal five years ago when her husband was diagnosed with it.
She says raising awareness is critical because no other organization in the D.C. area provides the support, exercise and services that this foundation provides, and for free.
The foundation offers 115 exercise classes, communication classes, and support groups for Parkinson’s patients, as well as caregivers.
“The exercise, the communication classes are important,” Schena says. “But the support groups are so vitally important as well. One of the things we know about Parkinson’s is that when people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, many times they don’t want to share that information even within their family. It’s a very lonely disease at times.” She says the foundation is a vital link for patients who don’t want to keep their diagnosis to themselves.
Although there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, exercise can help slow its progression. Besides exercise, the foundation offers choir and communications classes (since Parkinson’s affects the voice). “They (patients) get to see you just don’t give up, you can’t, and that’s a big part of what our foundation does,” Schena said.
Monies raised will go to instructors and for the facilities.
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