From The Co-founders of PLWP;

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This issue of Virtuality is an accumulation of some very exciting events that have happened over the past few months. We want to talk about how important it is for each individual to focus in what ever area is most comfortable and best suited to their expertise, whether it be advocacy, recognition, unity, etc., because “Together We Truly Do Make a Difference”.

Much of this issue is dedicated to advocacy and the writers will relate to us their experiences at this years 10th annual PAN Forum in Washington DC from March 28-30. We believe that it is very important that we all keep informed. It is our responsibility to stay current on what is going on and how it may affect us. From our knowledge it is up to each of us as to our personal choices of our own involvement. We know that you will benefit from and enjoy reading the various viewpoints of our fellow members and we thank them for sharing with us.

In April a group of PLWP members went to NYC to attend the John Lester Awards Dinner and to attend the Parkinson’s Unity Walk in Central Park. The awards dinner was held at Broadway Joe’s Steakhouse in the Times Square area. We were very pleased to have a great attendance with so many special guests. In attendance were our wonderful husbands Tom and Gary, Michael Koontz, 16 high spirited members of the Abraham family, Carol Walton (Parkinson’s Alliance), Trina Stokes, (Parkinson’s Unity Walk) Ken Aidekman (Parkinson’s Unity Walk), John Lester (MGH), Sherri O’Grady (Novartis) and the Murray Charters group representing the team Murray’s Fidgety Feet.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the John Lester Domino Award. For some of the newer members, the award was developed 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. John who inspired the award was our first recipient in 2000 followed by Carol McLeod in 2001, and Patti Hager in 2002. Without the contributions of these individuals we would not have accomplished so much.
 

This year’s recipient of the John Lester Domino Award was Annette Kunce who has been part of PLWP from its onset. Annette does not have Parkinson’s she is involved because she chose to help support the Parkinson’s community. As the PLWP website was being built Annette knew that we needed to register our domain name. So, our very first donation to PLWP was from them…registering www. PLWP.ORG.
 

A little more than 3 years ago, Annette and her husband Chris were expecting their first child and wanted to do something for Parkinson’s Research. So after a great deal of researching they founded the Baby Jack Cord Blood Program and donated the first cord blood for “Parkinson’s Research”. The rest, as they say, is history. We now have an active, on going program, which is still rather unique in its operation. Annette you are an inspiration!
 

April 24th was a glorious day in Central Park. PLWP’s Unity Walk team was just part of the more than 7,000 people who joined together to raise money for research at the 10th annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk. Prior to beginning the walk, their was a kick off program which included Michelle Charlesworth, Martin Tuchman, Evan Stern, President, Carolyn B. Maloney, Founder and Chair of The Congressional Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease, and Amy Comstock, Executive Director of the Parkinson's Action Network, and Margaret Zobel, Founder of the Walk.
 

Mary O’Connell, Product Director at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Denis Keohane, Medical Director at Pfizer Inc presented the third annual MIRAPEX Victories Research Award, to Dr. Yaakov Stern, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology and member of the Taub Institute at Columbia University for his accomplishments in Parkinson’s disease non-motor symptomology
 

One of the days highpoint for us was presenting the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award to Murray Charters of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for his work in maintaining a personal website dedicated to "Parkinson's World Awareness" and aptly titled "Parkinson's Resources on the Web.
 

Another high point was seeing Michael J. Fox who was welcomed by a cheering crowd. Michael offered words of encouragement and hope to finding the cure. He and Margaret Zobel got the walk going by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. It was an exciting several days in NYC and some wonderful memories for all of us to take back home.
 

We always count our blessings and talk about how fortunate PLWP is to have the support of so many wonderful people. This conversation led us to talk about… Jimmy (Toad) Turner and his wife Nanny. When you talk about these two individuals the word “self-less” comes to mind. We have seen them support the Parkinson’s Community in numerous ways. They always make the effort to be there for fellow PLWP’s in any way they can. Every month like clock work, PLWP receives a check to support our efforts. The Turners are not financially rich by any means. But one thing we can tell you is that they are wealthy in friends and family who love them dearly.

There are many others out there who do so much out of the goodness of their hearts. There are so many different ways each of us can “focus” to make a difference. So right now we would like to focus on all of you and truly thank all of you for all you do!

Together We Make A Difference,
Nan & Bren

PLWP’s 2004 Unity Walk Team: Nancy Abraham, Brenda Tucker, Tom Abraham, Gary Tucker, Kris Abraham, John Lester, Sherri O’Grady, Peg Willocks, Darrell Willocks, Michael Koontz, Annette Kunce, Chris Kunce, Mary Ellen Hess, Kelly Hall, Chris Hughson, Nancy Rood, Erin Rood, Tina Strassenburg, Brenda Luske, Bob Hess, Kathy Hess, Michelle Hess, Steve Howell,Jenny Hess, Jane Stengel, Chrissy Stengel, Rande Probst, and Janice Bolick