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I am pleased to announce that this year's winner of the Sidney Dorros Memorial Award is Deborah "Debbie" Harrison, leader of the Young at Heart Parkinson Support Group in Syosset, New York. The award, given annually, is in its 10th year in memory of Sidney Dorros who passed away in July of 1993. Sid wrote the first autobiographical account of what it is like to live with Parkinson's. His book: Parkinson's: A Patient's View is considered a classic. Sid was an early onset patient, diagnosed in his 30s, who became a pioneer in finding better ways of treatment by being an experimental patient with NIH for nearly 20 years. He was often the first patient in the U.S. to be given drugs that are now the staple in treatment, as well as being among the first to have brain surgery to alleviate symptoms. He was also a leader in the support group movement by establishing the first support group in our country - the Parkinsonian Society of Greater Washington, serving as its first president. He was a tireless advocate on behalf of Parkinson patients everywhere spending his life after forced, early retirement helping others cope more successfully. The award was established by the National Parkinson Foundation to foster Sid's efforts in the local support group movement by recognizing an individual doing outstanding work in that arena. Debbie Harrison epitomizes all that Sid was striving to do and carries on the role of easing the burden for her fellow patients. Congratulations for a job well done, Debbie! Donna Dorros ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn