Couple To Chair Walk-A-Thon
BY TERA SCHMIDT - [log in to unmask]

Web posted Thursday, June 10, 2004

Yankton residents Elton and Marilyn Bertsch have a special role in this year's Walk-A-Thon sponsored by the Parkinson
Association of South Dakota (PASD).

The Bertsches are the honorary 2004 Walk-A-Thon chairpersons for the event, which will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at
Spencer Park, Sioux Falls.

"We were asked three to four months ago if we'd do that for them, and we were really surprised," said Elton.

Despite the Bertsches' humble attitudes, the honor should come as no surprise to those who know them through their work
in establishing the Yankton Parkinson's Support Group and their service on the PASD's board.

When Elton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in late 1995, he discovered there was no local support group. The
couple quickly enlisted others, and the first local meeting was held in April 1996. Elton and Marilyn served as
facilitators until April 2004. They also served on the PASD board for almost six years, where Marilyn served as
treasurer.

Elton said when they started the first and only local group, he was surprised by the response.

"We have about 15-20 people who attend each meeting," he said. "We talk about the condition and share what we have
found to be helpful. There are a lot more people with Parkinson's than imaginable. Everyone I talk to knows someone --
a parent, sibling, aunt, some relative -- that has Parkinson's."

Elton said the rate of people with Parkinson's in the Midwest is twice that of the rest of the country.

Common symptoms of Parkinson's disease include depletion of brain cells, slow movement, stiffness, difficulty with
balance or walking and depression. Both men and women of any age are affected by this disease, but its frequency is
higher in those 50 and older.

Elton said he first noticed a problem when his voice started to soften.

"I also noticed I was dragging my right heel, I just couldn't pick up my legs," he said. "I couldn't cut the meat on my
plate, I had such a loss of strength. It was little things like that."

Because the characteristics of Parkinson's disease are so similar to other diseases, Elton said many Parkinson's
patients are initially misdiagnosed.

"Everybody that has Parkinson's was misdiagnosed," he said. "If you notice any of the symptoms, it should send a red
flag to pay attention -- that maybe it could be Parkinson's."

The symptoms of Parkinson's become obvious when 80 percent of the cells in a certain part of the brain have died, Elton
said.

"There is really no explanation as to why this happens. It is kind of like Alzheimer's: We don't know what causes it,
it just creeps into your life," he said. "There is a lot of hope in stem cell research leading to something that would
be helpful with this disease."

Research is the main reason PASD organizes the annual Walk-A-Thon, Elton said.

"The National Parkinson's Foundation has 66 centers that do medical research," he said. "(The Walk-A-Thon is designed
to) raise a heap of money for medical research. We want to find the cause first and eventually a cure."

Walk-A-Thon participants gather pledges from friends and relatives, then participate in the mile walk the day of the
event. All the money raised goes toward Parkinson's research.

The Bertsches have been raising money for this year's event and are grateful for the support they have received so far.

"The Yankton community has been very supportive," Elton said. "I am pretty grateful because I have taken on the
responsibility of raising as much money as I can."

To make a donation, contact Elton and Marilyn Bertsch at 664-6052.

The 2004 Walk-A-Thon is set for Saturday at Spencer Park, I-229 and Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls. Registration begins at 9
a.m. with music and warm-up at 9:45 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m. Prizes will be awarded at 11 a.m.

The Yankton Parkinson's Support Group meets at 1:30 p.m. the second Friday of every month at the Benedictine Center.
Those with Parkinson's, their friends, relatives and anyone else interested in Parkinson's disease is welcome to
attend.

SOURCE: Yankton Daily Press, SD
http://www.yankton.net/stories/061004/com_20040610025.shtml

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