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^^^^^^ WARM GREETINGS FROM ^^^^^^^^^^^^ :-) Ivan Suzman 50/39/36 [log in to unmask] :-) Portland, Maine land of lighthouses deg. F :-) ******************************************************************** PARKINSON”S JOINT RESOLUTION 2000 WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease,or paralysis agitans, is a brain disorder that usually affects adults over 40 years of age, it can occur in any of three forms: later life Parkinson’s disease, young onset Parkinson’s disease, which affects adults under 40 years of age, and juvenile Parkinson’s disease; and WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease affects 1 out of 4 persons over age 80,1 out of 10 persons over age 60, and a lesser number of those under the age of 40; and WHEREAS, there are 60,000 new patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease annually in the United States, one every 9 minutes, WHEREAS, according to the American Parkinson Disease Association there are approximately 1,500,000 people in the United States with Parkinson’s disease, of which an estimated 7,000 or more are in the State of Maine; and WHEREAS, more individuals suffer from Parkinson’s disease than multiple sclerosis , muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease combined; and WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease is a devestating, painful and incurable brain disorder of unknown origin that disrupts and may end the lives of those who suffer from it, as well as overwhelming the lives of their families and friends; and WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease often takes an enormous emotional, psychological and physical toll on the families and friends ; and WHEREAS, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, tremors,slowness of movement shuffling gait, difficulty with balance,lack of facial expression,malfunction of vocal chords,intestinal difficulties and emotional changes, are often mistaken as a normal part of the aging process; and WHEREAS, the cause of Parkinson’s disease is due to a loss of cell function deep within the brain,and the reasons for this loss are unknown. Medications can only control some of the symptoms for uncertain periods of time; and WHEREAS, there is a great need for further training and education in the health care and legal professions to protect the rights of persons with Parkinson’s disease and there is also a need for a Parkinson’s clinic in Maine to give easier access to specialists in Parkinson’s; and WHEREAS, full funding of federal law, the Morris K. Udall Parkinson’s Research Act of 1997, directing the National Institute of Health to spend up to $1,000,000 annually on Parkinson’s disease research is critical; and WHEREAS, April 11th has been proclaimed to be World Parkinson’s Day, a day for all to recognize the need for more research and help in dealing with the devastating effects Parkinson’s disease; and WHEREAS, increased education and research are needed to help find more effective treatments and ultimately to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and to provide more effective support programs and services to Parkinson’s disease patients and their caregivers and families; and WHEREAS, the leading public officials of the State and leading officials in the State’s medical community are now called upon to aid in reversing the invisibility and voicelessness of its citizens suffering from Parkinson’s disease; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: That we, the Members of the One Hundred and Twentieth Legislature, now assembled in the First Regular Session, recognize the month of April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month throughout the State; and be it further RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the Maine Parkinson Society and the American Parkinson Disease Association, Maine State Chapter.