Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease that is the fastest-growing and second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States. Parkinson’s diminishes the body’s ability to make Dopamine, a neurotransmitter critical for making smooth, coordinated motion. Currently, there is no known cause or cure but we are on the cusp of finding various biomarkers to help the medical community properly diagnose the disease.
One million of the world’s ten million people with Parkinson’s live in the United States and over 66,000 Floridians currently are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Every six minutes someone new is diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a uniquely human disease, which often has not only motor symptoms (Tremor, Rigidity, & Slowness of Motion) but also non-motor symptoms (Apathy/ Depression, Drooling, & Orthostatic Hypotension), as well.
The Emerald Coast, more specifically, Bay and Walton Counties, together have approximately three thousand people with Parkinson’s. Unfortunately, this region is in the middle of a Movement Disorder Specialist “desert”, with the two closest Movement Disorder Specialists located in Pensacola and Tallahassee.
Panama City Beach at least has a Parkinson’s Support Group, started in 2021, called 3085Thrive, with the name derived from the Longitude and Latitude of Panama City Beach (30/85) and the word THRIVE, which we intend to do, despite having Parkinson’s (www.3085Thrive.com).
3085Thrive will be hosting the first-ever Emerald Coast Parkinson’s Educational Event on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Woodlawn Church (219 Alf Coleman) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The symposium will feature over 15 Vendors who offer products or services that assist people living with Parkinson’s. There will also be three nationally known speakers present to discuss topics such as understanding the grief associated with the disease, Care Partner Burn Out and to provide a summary of the latest Parkinson’s research initiatives from Movement Disorder Specialists. The event will also be offered in a virtual webinar format with a Q&A format.
Please contact Greg Ritscher, 3085Thrive support group leader, at gregritscher@gmail.com or (303) 875-8117 for more information.
Author: Sowal Editor
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