A Forum to Remember 

By Anne Shockley*

      This Forum was outstanding in every area.  We were trained, trained and then trained some more for our advocacy duties on the Hill.  I believe beyond a doubt that the Senators and Congressmen felt the impact of our impassioned pleas for a cure to Parkinson’s Disease and all Brain Disorders.

      We were informed through Physicians, Ph.D.’s, Directors, Board Chairmen and people who care about the devastating effect of this disease.  We all are grasping for emerging therapies that can help those with PD or our loved ones.  In the past more time and research has been done toward relieving the symptoms, but we now have a major thrust for a cure.  By the time we arrived at the Hill, we were ready to present our case and present it we did!

      I personally do not have PD, but I was there because of my daughter who is in her prime, has PD and struggles so to bring her life back again.  My horizon has widened as I have seen the courage and fortitude of those stricken with the disease.  They don’t give up!  And we won’t give up until we find a cure.

      I was extremely impressed with the depth of knowledge of those attending the Forum.  They are tackling the monstrous disease at the throat!  The theory of all at this Forum was “knowledge is power” and everyone was and still is empowered.

      You know the “squeaky wheel gets the oil” and the momentum is building.  We can make a difference in NIH Funding NETRP, SCNT, and all of the programs PAN is addressing, and you can be sure we won’t stop until we do make a difference.  The staff at PAN are movers and shakers, and they have a well trained army behind, before and beside them all the way to a cure.  Thanks to all for an empowering Forum!  If you missed it come next year!

 *Anne’s daughter has young onset PD – only in her 40’s.  Anne is Co-Coordinator for the state of Tennessee through PAN.