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There's a wonderful article about Barbara Patterson in the Dundas Star News ( and a nice photo of her at the Unity Walk ) Thank you Barbara! Ahead of her time Barbara Patterson is the second Canadian recipient of the 11th annual Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award By Craig Campbell News Staff When Barbara Patterson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 13 years ago, the affliction wasn't as well known as it is today. The Internet also wasn't the commonly-used tool it would become. But in an effort to find other people with Parkinson's, and information about the disease, Ms. Patterson created an Internet based mailing list that connected thousands of people looking for support. "It grew quite quickly," Ms. Patterson said. "At its highest point, it had about 3,000 members." For her effort, and great success, Ms. Patterson is the second Canadian recipient of the 11th annual Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award. She shares the 2005 award, presented by the Parkinson' Unity Walk in New York City last month, with John Cottingham of Oklahoma City. Mr. Cottingham was one of the first to join the mailing list. He helped her run it and later developed a separate Parkinson's website. It was her first time attending the major American fundraising event. But she wasn't there on her own. Ms. Patterson flew to New York City a few days early with her son. Her daughter and her family, including two grandchildren, flew down later. Another daughter, her sister, a cousin and a friend drove to New York together. They all wanted to be be there for the award presentation. Carol Walton, executive director of the Parkinson's Unity Walk, said Ms. Patterson worked with Alan Bonander, for whom the award is named. But the two only communicated over the Internet, never actually meeting face to face. Mr. Bonander's sister presented Ms. Patterson and Mr. Cottingham with their awards. Several other members of Mr. Bonander's family were also there. Ms. Walton called Ms. Patterson a pioneer in the world of Parkinson's Disease. "It was a disease people were embarrassed about. You wouldn't go out," she said. "People didn't talk about it." Those who suffered from Parkinson's just 13-years ago, when Ms. Patterson was diagnosed, lived in a much more isolated world, without people like Billy Graham, Muhammad Ali and Michael J. Fox bringing more attention to Parkinson's around the world. "Even if there was some talk, it was hidden," Ms. Walton said. "They didn't have access to all the tools we have today. For them, it was a lot harder." Ms. Patterson herself said she couldn't remember seeing the word Parkinson's in a newspaper more than once in her life, until people like Canadian-born actor Michael J. Fox brought it into the light. But before these stars were on the scene, and before the Internet was as popular as it is today, it was people like Ms. Patterson who brought patients together, and made it possible to talk about the disease. They brought Parkinson's out of the shadows. "They were way before their time," Ms. Walton said. Ms. Patterson is not only a life-long Dundas resident, but also the fifth generation of her family in the Valley Town. Her great-great grandfather, great-grandfather, grandfather and father all called Dundas home before her. Ms. Patterson recognizes the fact that charity awards often celebrate fundraising. Her work focussed instead on people, and she appreciates the recognition. It honors real grassroots work for all Parkinson's patients. "The list has nothing to do with raising money, or countries, or large Parkinson's groups," Ms. Patterson said. http://www.dundasstarnews.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn