Walk the Boards for Parkinson May 17 in Rehoboth Beach
Gov. Jack Markell was joined April 8 by representatives from the University of Delaware, Sussex County Parkinson Education and Support Group, Parkinson Action Network and the Delmarva Parkinson Alliance in Legislative Hall, Dover. The group received the proclamation declaring April as Parkinson Disease Awareness Month.
PD is a chronic, neurological disease of the central nervous system. Approximately 2,000 of the 1.5 million Americans with Parkinson’s reside in Delaware. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Scientists are working toward new medicines and therapies to enhance the lives of people with Parkinson's and manage their symptoms.
There is no neurologist specializing in Parkinson's disease in Delaware. The state is in need of providing gold standard care in the form of a movement disorder specialist. Patients are forced to travel more than 100 miles to receive treatment or risk being misdiagnosed. Several representatives are working hard to use telemedicine.
However, they need federal and state government, local healthcare, Medicare and insurance company leaders working together to break down the two barriers in Delaware: physicians' licensing across state lines, and Medicare and insurance reimbursement throughout the state.
The coalition invites everyone interested in Parkinson's disease to seek out and join an education and support group. To find out more about Parkinson's disease or to find a local Parkinson's support group, contact Dennis Leebel, vice chairman of the Delmarva Parkinson's Alliance, at 302-644-3465.
Walk the Boards for Parkinson's disease May 17
The Parkinson Education and Support Group of Sussex County, Cape Henlopen Senior Center and Lewes Senior Center will jointly host a Walk the Boards for Parkinson's from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 17. The Cape Henlopen Senior Center, 11 Christian St., Rehoboth Beach, will hold a $5 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. to fortify participants before or after the walk.
Shuttle service will be provided between the senior center and the Boardwalk. Entertainers will perform at the Bandstand from 10 a.m, to 1 p.m. Rehoboth merchants will hold sidewalk sales throughout the day, and a number of health and aging in place exhibitors will be on hand.
Registration is $25. To preregister or to make a donation, contact Parkinson Education and Support Group of Sussex County at www.delmarvaparkinsonsalliance.org; Cape Henlopen Senior Center, 302-227-2055 or Lewes Senior Center, www.lewesseniorcenter.org.
Interested exhibitors should contact the Cape Henlopen Senior Center, 302-227-2055; the Lewes Senior Center, 302-645-9293, or the Parkinson's Group, 302-644-3465.
