FDOPA PET SCANS AS AN AID FOR PARKINSON'S DIAGNOSIS
By Tom Berdine

Most of us think of service dogs being utilized by the blind. The "seeing
eye dog" conjures up the picture of a blind person walking down the side-
walk of a busy city clutching the harness in one hand, and his red-tipped
white cane in the other, pedes-trians parting like the Red Sea. Things have
changed dramatically in the business of service dogs over the last twenty
years. People with varied disabilities are finding that a dog can be their
best friend. Now, for the first time in the seventy-five year history of
training dogs to assist disabled people, dogs are being trained to help
Parkinson’s disease patients. A joint study conducted in 1997 by
Independence Dogs, Inc., the University of Pennsylvania’s Park-inson’s
Disease and Movement Disorders Center and SmithKline Beecham
Pharmaceuticals, set out to see if dogs could make a difference in a person
with Parkinson’s (PWP) quality of life. The main target of interest was the
common Parkinsonian complaint of "freezing". Dogs were trained to become
the patient’s legs. When the patient freezes, the dog taps the top of the
patients foot. If the patient falls, the dog helps him up. The dogs also
serve in other ways. They are trained to turn on light switches, open
doors, pick up dropped items, and pull wheelchairs. It costs $12,000 to
train a service dog. The patient pays only $200, which covers the cost of
the har-ness. For additional information on this subject, check out the
links below: PD...Going To The Dogs

By Greg Sterling
Parkinson’s Prayer of Promise
by Amy Marie Goodwin

Life used to be so easy...aah what we used to take for granted! How could
we ever know all the struggles we would be handed? Simple
efforts...threading needles, walking, tying our shoelaces Unsteady balance,
muscle spasms, tremors, staring of our own faces? With each rise and fall,
medications and never-ending fears, We learn to conquer each burden with
determination and tears! This prayer is for all the heroes who have tried
their best to see That God has his reasons, we unselfishly don’t ask "why
ME? A prayer for a soon-found cure is what our hearts strive to find; Until
then we live each day fully, no matter how hopeless or kind So here are
some words of accomplishment my dear Parkinson friend, NEVER give up,
always be strong, let your faith guide you ‘til the end! A positive
attitude, humor, and smile are an absolute must, Through each and every
difficult journey we must trust That there will be a day in our lifetime
and we’ll trust That there WILL come a joyous day in our own lifetime and
we’ll see A magical moment for all, a miracle! Cure! For all the heroes you
and me!

The term "clinical trials" conjures up different images for each of us. For
me, as for many others that have participated in a clinical trial, the
experience was quite an exciting one. Due to FDA requirements, before a
drug or surgical procedure is “FDA approved”, it must go through 4 phases.
The following website is a great one for giving you an overview of what
exactly the FDA requires: (www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/whatis#/whatis) Some
of these trials will pay you for your participation, but some will not, so
check before you decide. It is interesting to keep track of the clinical
trials that are being done, as it helps you to stay abreast of what’s going
on in the research world. Knowledge is power!  For a state by state
overview of clinical trials:
(www.centerwatch.com/patientstudies/cat#117.html) The National Parkinson
Foundation is another great site to get an overview of studies:
(www.parkinson.org/) Before signing up, be sure to check with your doctor,
as many trials have very strict require-ments, or they may require you to
be off certain medications. Look at the trials, talk with your doctor, then
decide if you wish to participate.

Clinical Trials: Are They Right For You?
From the Parkinson Library:
Book Review by Kathy Webster

When Parkinson’s Strikes Early: Voices, Choices, Resources, and Treatments"
Barbara Blake-Krebs, M.A. And Linda Herman, M.L.S., Hunter House Inc.
Publishers This is an inspiring book, especially for the newly diagnosed.
It is a  compilation of stories of many young onset Parkinson’s disease
(YOPD) patients. This is a book that begins with on overview of what
precisely Parkinson’s Disease is for those who may not quite understand the
disease. The format of this book is what I like best. The table of contents
allows you to “jump around” to a specific topic of concern for you,
although reading it straight through, gives you and understanding of how
the progression of this disease affects the patient. This book allows you
to relate to real people who are facing the same challenges that you may be
facing, or have already conquered. There are poems, as well as cartoons,
throughout the book, which adds to its readability. This book is a
must-have for all YOPD patients! Please visit
(www.youngparkinsons.com/amazon.htm) to purchase this book and others.
Between 5-15% of your purchases will be donated to the Young Onset
Parkinson’s Association.

National Parkinson’s Foundation 1st Annual Young Onset Parkinson’s
Conference June 27-29, 2003:  You are cordially invited to join the NPF in
Atlanta, Georgia for this unique and informative conference held at the
Perimeter Center Marriott. This weekend will be filled with educa-tional
and interactive workshops, as well fun to be enjoyed by PWP, children,
spouses, fam-ily members, and caregivers. Below you will find the
conference itinerary. The registration fee is $100 per adult, $50 per child
under 18. This fee includes 2 nights (Friday and Saturday) at the Marriott,
meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday),
en-tertainment, workshops, and conference materials. Friday: Registration
PD Artisans Showcase Appetizers Cocktail Bar Saturday: Welcome Speech"
(various speakers)Coping with Diagnosis & Living with PD—Dr. Laura Marsh
Caregivers Concern Panel—Dr. Gladys Gonzalez Ramos Neuromuscular Massage
Therapy—-Anna Svircev A Chat With the Neurologist—Dr. Jill Marjama-Lyons,
Tom Berdine Alternative Therapy Panel—Dr J. Juncos, DR. C. Epstein We know
that all who attend will benefit greatly from nor only the speakers and
facilitators, but from each other as we all make new friends. Please join
us. If you have any questions about the conference. Please contact Pam
Milton, conference coor-dinator at [log in to unmask] or 770-503--0442.
If you would like to register for the conference, please contact Claudia
Vera, National Parkinson Foundation, at 1-800-327-4545.

Parkinson’s Events

If you do not have access to a computer, but would like to receive a copy
of future issues, please complete the form below and mail to the above
address. The cost is $12 a year. Make payment to: Young Onset Parkinson’s
Association, PO Box 50936, Albuquerque, NM 87181

The Young Onset Parkinson’s Association (YOPA) is a non-profit corporation
with headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico. YOPA understands the diverse
issues that affect the young onset Parkinson’s patient because we are
patients ourselves. If you need any help with any PD issue, please contact us.

Family
Relationships
Stress Management
Financial & Career Issues

YOPA strives to raise public awareness on the complexities, struggles, and
triumphs of the young onset patient and their families, utilizing any and
all media forums. We work hand-in-hand with all PD groups to raise critical
funds for Parkinson’s research. YOPA’s current awareness campaigns include
a ten minute advocacy film and an upcoming documentary. We have also begun
a global Young Onset Registry which will be utilized in future projects.
Our State Representatives program provides YOPA with a national reach. Our
mission is simple: Provide support, raise awareness, and promote
fundraising efforts.

Hard Facts about Parkinson’s:
- Over 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease, and that number is
growing!
- 60,000 new cases annually.
- Young onset cases are increasing, with tens of thousands under age 40!
- PD costs the U.S. taxpayer over $25 billion annually in healthcare,
social secu-rity, and lost wages.

Yes, please mail the newsletter to my home! Enclosed you will find a check
or money order made out to the Young Onset Parkinson’s Association in the
amount of $12 for a one year subscription.

Name: __________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
City: _______________________ State__________ Zip _______


Board of Directors

President: Tom Berdine
Vice: James McCumber
Secretary: Marcie Gru-enwald
Treasurer: Gaylund Bowling

Volunteer Staff:
Editor: Kathy Webster
Campaign Manager: Ron Moore


YOPA
www.yopa.org

Young Onset Parkinson’s
Association
PO Box 50936
Albuquerque, NM 87181
1-505-275-YOPA


THE YOUNG ONSET PARKINSON’S ASSOCIATION IS A 501C(3) CORPORATION AS
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 501(A)(1) OF THE IRS CODE.
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janet paterson: an akinetic rigid subtype, albeit primarily perky, parky
pd: 56-41-37 cd: 56-44-43 tel: 613-256-8340 email: [log in to unmask]
my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newvoicenews/
my website: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/

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