Living with Parkinson's: Beyond the Diagnosis
Parkinson’s Foundation and Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks Host Virtual Event for Springfield Community
SPRINGFIELD, MO – May 3, 2021 – The Parkinson’s Foundation, in collaboration with Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks will host a virtual program, Beyond the Diagnosis: Managing Changing Symptoms, on May 22, 2021 at 10 a.m. CT, to help the Parkinson’s community stay healthy, safe and engaged from home during the ongoing pandemic. This program will help inform people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their loved ones on how Parkinson’s symptoms may change over time and new strategies for treating them.
“At the Parkinson’s Foundation, we understand that online programs are highly beneficial to the PD community and provide an outlet to learn more while connecting virtually with others living with the disease,” said Kim Nitz, Community Program Associate Director, Heartland Chapter. “With an ongoing pandemic, empowering the community with the tools and resources they need to live better from the safety of their homes is a vital part of our mission.”
This program will feature Parkinson’s disease experts Muhammad Nashatizadeh, MD,
University of Kansas Medical Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, Britney Knedel, M.S. CCC-SLP, Mercy Outpatient Neuro Therapy Services and Ed Derr MS, LPC, NCC, Director of Counseling and Disability Support Services, Drury University. Topics include how to manage symptoms that accompany Parkinson’s disease progression and the importance of access to a care team. The program will help support the PD community by providing them with additional local resources that can help improve their quality of life.
“I know this is something that will benefit the many people living with Parkinson’s in the Springfield and surrounding areas. Better understanding the disease and navigating resources are such important aspects of the Parkinson’s journey.” Said Justin Milam, President of the Board for the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks. “As we know, there are constant updates to treatments and care, and we want to highlight the local, regional and national resources that are available to empower the Parkinson’s community.”
One million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, with 60,000 people newly diagnosed each year. The Parkinson’s Foundation is the nation’s leading community for people living with Parkinson’s, those who love them and those who are working to end the disease. Improving care, advancing research towards a cure and providing necessary education on PD are pillars of the Foundation’s mission.
For more information or to register for Beyond the Diagnosis: Managing Changing Symptoms, call the Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland Chapter at 913-416-4116 or visit www.Parkinson.org/Springfield.
About the Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).
About the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks
The Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, support research, and improve the quality of life for persons with Parkinson’s disease. We work tirelessly to provide a variety of programs and services for our local Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinsonsgroup.org or call (417) 814-6067.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.