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The Surrey Leader Wednesday, Aug 27, 2003 Parkinson's Fund Raiser When Bill Gillott found out he had Parkinson's Disease, it was "like somebody drops a bomb on you." The White Rock 69-year-old felt that bomb two years ago, the final diagnosis for shoulder problems that a variety of therapies had done little to ease. "I felt very badly initially," Gillott said of news he, like his mother, had the incurable disease. For Diane Desjardin, her husband Claude's diagnosis was no less devastating. "I wish the future held better things in store for us," the South Surrey realtor said Monday. All three have found support and inspiration through White Rock Parkinson's Support Group, and now are gearing up for the SuperWalk for Parkinson's Sept. 13 at Bear Creek Park. Gillott and Diane Desjardin agree the cause needs more support-7,000 B.C. residents and 100,000 Canadians have Parkinson's. Yet, many people still have little knowledge of the disease-aside from the fact it afflicts Burnaby-born actor Michael J. Fox. "We're kind of below the radar," Gillott said. "The hope is (through SuperWalk) to get a lot of attention to it." Parkinson's Disease is degenerative, caused by a loss of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine allows nerve impulses to travel smoothly among nerve cells, sending messages to the body's muscles. As dopamine levels decrease, body movements slow and become more rigid; reflexes are impaired, and balance is compromised. Some Parkinson's sufferers develop tremors. Dementia is possible. Claude's first sign of trouble was difficulty putting voice to his thoughts. Two years after his diagnosis, the Desjardins learned he'd also developed Lewy Body Dementia, or Parkinson's with Extra. (That prompted Diane Desjardin, with another caregiver in White Rock, to launch a support group for others in the same situation. Come September, they'll meet the fourth Thursday of every month at Richmond Cultural Centre.) While medication can alleviate symptoms of Parkinson's, they do not halt its progression. So research continues. Last year's SuperWalk for Parkinson's in Surrey raised $16,000. This year, it's organized by Parkinson Society of B.C., in partnership with support groups from Surrey, White Rock, New Westminster and Abbotsford. Participants can choose from a two- or four-kilometre route, leaving Bear Creek Park at 10 a.m. Registration, beginning at 9 a.m., is by donation. Refreshments and draw prizes are part of the fun. At least 250 participants are expected. The routes, on charted trails, are accessible to walkers, runners, and cyclists, as well as those using wheelchairs and walkers. For information, call 604-662-3240. SOURCE: My Telus http://tinyurl.com/lgkj * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn