 |
 |
NASHVILLE: Predators Assistant Says He Has Parkinson's By JOHN GLENNON Staff Writer It began with a simple tingling sensation in the fingers of his right hand, but for Predators associate coach Brent Peterson — a former professional hockey player — that was a symptom easily ignored. As the months passed, however, Peterson started to feel a stiffness in his right hand and fingers, then noticed that his right arm wasn't swinging quite the way it should when he walked. A trip to the doctor's office led to a trip to the neurologist's office and a troubling diagnosis: Parkinson's disease. Peterson learned he was suffering from the chronic and progressive nervous disorder last summer but chose to tell only his wife, Tami, and a few close associates at the time. He revealed the news to the organization and players on Sunday, then went public yesterday concerned that word might trickle out in an incorrect manner if he didn't. ''I feel a little relieved now that everyone knows, so I can just go forward,'' said Peterson, 46. ''I was a little concerned. I didn't want anyone to know because I didn't want them to treat me differently. I didn't want them to think I was a leper or something. ''But I told (General Manager David Poile) today that everyone's been unbelievable. Everyone's been behind me and I really do appreciate that.'' Parkinson's is a movement disorder that affects more than one million Americans, according to the Web site understandingparkinsons.com. Symptoms can include tremors, rigid limbs and trunk, slowness of movement and poor balance and coordination. There is no known cure for Parkinson's, but medication can help control the symptoms, which is why Peterson expects to continue his role with the Predators. ''I really don't have much in the way of shakes at all, but when I walk, my arm doesn't swing naturally and there are some times when it's a little shaky,'' Peterson said. ''But with the medications they have today, the doctors say I should have five to 10 years without it getting any worse. ''I plan on coaching for 10 or 15 more years. Hopefully things will get to the point that I'll always be able to do my job.'' Prominent people who've been diagnosed with Parkinson's over the years include Pope John Paul II, former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno, actor Michael J. Fox, former boxer Muhammad Ali and Johnny Cash, the late country music legend. Peterson was introduced to Fox through a mutual friend, former NHL star Cam Neely, and the two have spoken on a handful of occasions since Peterson's diagnosis. Fox learned he suffered from the ailment in 1998, and has since created the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research. Parkinson's occurs when brain cells that manufacture a chemical substance called dopamine — which carry messages telling the body how and when to move — die or become damaged. Various theories point to genetics, pesticides or a buildup of chemicals called radicals as the reasons for the loss of the dopamine-manufacturing brain cells, but an exact cause has yet to be determined. ''There were a lot of nights last summer that I wondered, 'Why me?' because like I said it's not in my family and it's not hereditary,'' Peterson said. ''There's theories that it's pesticides from the time when you were growing up or concussions. I've had some concussions, but there have been guys with Parkinson's that have no history in the family and no concussions.'' Peterson said the Parkinson's didn't bother him much during the past season. He completed on-ice drills as always with the players, and the team's hectic pace kept Peterson from dwelling too much on his own situation. ''We were so busy this year — always on the road or here,'' Peterson said. ''We were always in the race from the start. My work consumed me and winning consumed me.'' He doesn't expect that to change in the future. ''I'm living a full life and I've got my wits about me,'' Peterson said. ''I'll still be able to yell at (defenseman) Jason York to get his game together. The only place this might hurt me is on the golf course with a three-foot putt.'' John Glennon covers the Predators for The Tennessean. He can be reached at [log in to unmask] or 259-8262 SOURCE: The Tennessean http://tinyurl.com/328xo * * * l ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn