May 2, 2005

Nan & Bren's PLWP Update

What's going on in PLWP...

PLWP's Monthly Update
Because there is such an interest from many of our members about becoming more involved in the PLWP effort, as well as the PD community, it has become apparent that the activities of PLWP must be better communicated.  We're going to update our membership on an "as needed" basis on what PLWP and its members are doing.  We will also announce additions or changes made.

Watch your email for important PLWP news right here on "Nan & Bren's PLWP UpDate"

Great things are happening.  People make the difference:

John Lester Domino Award
We are very proud to announce that the 2004 recipient of the John Lester Domino Award is Michael Koontz. The award was presented in Savannah at the Parkinson’s in the Park event. Michael deserved this award due to his many efforts of supporting the members of PLWP. His countless hours of being a kind friend, a confidant and the moderator of the PLWP2 chat room. Many of us have enjoyed his special sessions of music, entertainment and his sense of humor. But most of all we applaud his efforts to make sure that the room was there to give each member new or old the support they needed.

The John Lester Domino Award was created in honor of John Lester who is the Information Systems Director at Massachusetts’s General Hospital and on PLWP‘s Board of Director. He is the man who had the vision to create 180 plus Forums and as many chat rooms at MGH, offering tremendous support to people living with various neurological conditions. He gave us a haven, a place to find knowledge, peace, friendship and motivation. Meeting each other gave us the opportunity to grow. One of the positive results largely caused by him was the origination of PLWP but there are many others as well. So we equated John as the first domino who had a toppling effect on us and we continue to grow in players, all of us in our own way working diligently to make a difference in the world of Parkinson’s. Thus in his honor we created the John Lester Domino award that allows us to celebrate our accomplishments annually. The plaque is located at MGH and each year’s recipient is added for the contributions and support to PLWP.

 

 Udall Award
At this years Udall Dinner the Milly Kondracke Award was presented to our own Peggy Willocks. Milly Kondracke was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1987.  Milly was a tireless and effective advocate who persevered for increased federal commitment to Parkinson’s research ever since her diagnosis. She lost her long struggle with Parkinson's disease in July 2004. Since 2002, the Milly Kondracke Award has been presented annually to an advocate who demonstrates the strength of spirit and steadfast devotion to advocacy and education that Milly demonstrated every day. Peg Willocks has been a PAN Tennessee State representative and an outstanding advocate. She has been a long time member of PLWP who has supported many of our events as well as being the Co-Editor of on e-zine Virtuality...
 
Please join us in congratulating Michael and Peg for their contributions to the Parkinson’s community!
 

Together We Make A Difference
Nan & Bren

Note:  Watch for additional updates this week!