Contrary to what most people think, Parkinson Disease (PD) doesn’t always present as impaired motor function, but it sometimes manifests in subtler ways–a diminished sense of smell, a soft voice or tiny handwriting. Motor symptoms include tremors, rigidity and instability. There are 1.5 million people in the United States who have the neurological disorder caused by a lack of the chemical dopamine in the brain.
“It is rare to meet someone who doesn’t have a connection to the illness,” says Debbie Guyer, executive director of the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). “The numbers these days are astronomical.” (In the U.S., a new Parkinson’s diagnosis occurs every 9 minutes). Guyer says increased longevity may account for the rise, but adds that research done over the past few years has shown that simple exercise (for example, tai chi and swimming) may slow the disease’s progression. “I’ve seen people who once couldn’t stand up to put on their trousers be able to balance perfectly on one leg after a few months of daily movement ,” Guyer says. As a result, the St. Louis chapter, based at the Parkinson Resource Cen
ter in Chesterfield, now offers a robust schedule of free classes and programs throughout the bi-state region, supported entirely by donations, grants and fundraisers. “If you receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis, it is so important to know that there is a huge network of support in our area,” says Matt Schumacher, first vice president of the chapter’s executive board, whose own mother has lived with the disease for the past 15 years. “There are hundreds of people around St. Louis who can help others live full and active lives.”
The upcoming Golf Classic in Memory of Jack Buck (Buck himself suffered from PD), is the chapter’s largest annual fundraiser, taking place May 16 at Algonquin Golf Club in Glendale. Cocktails, dinner and live auction follow. There will be an audience Q&A session with John Mozeliak, general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Tom Ackerman, sports director at KMOX. “We are so grateful for Mozeliak’s continued support of the APDA,” Schumacher says. “He will provide incredible insight into the Cardinals’ upcoming season and what we can expect from the team. It’s a great event all around.” Later in the evening, Dr. Joel Perlmutter, medical director of the St. Louis chapter and director of the Advanced Center for Parkinson Research at Washington University Medical School, will provide an overview of current progress toward a cure. An individual with Parkinson’s also will speak. Auction items, Guyer says, will be one-of-a-kind gifts and getaways. Mozeliak is honorary chairman of the event; Ackerman is master of ceremonies. Matt and Annemarie Schumacher are event co-chairs.
Schumacher says his family has turned to the APDA many times for invaluable support, and the organization has helped bring a lot of joy to his mother’s life. He says the tournament and the funds it raises will help thousands of families in the St. Louis area who are living with the challenges of the disease.
“Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all affected people, and to provide funding for ongoing research,” Guyer says. “We are trying to empower people, to help them realize they can take control of their lives.” The greater St. Louis chapter is the largest in the country, holding 50 support groups for anyone touched by the disease and 15 ongoing exercise classes across Missouri and southern central Illinois. In addition to tai chi, boxing, and standing and sitting exercise classes, the center also has a resource library and speaker series.
Pictured: Standing exercise class at the Parkinson Resource Center
Photo courtesy of American Parkinson Disease Association
The APDA Golf Classic in Memory of Jack Buck takes place May 16 at Algonquin Golf Club. Pictured on the cover: honorary chair John Mozeliak, vice president and general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals; tournament co-chairs Annemarie and Matt Schumacher; and master of ceremonies Tom Ack erman, sports director of KMOX. For more information and tickets, call 636.778.3377 or visit stlapda.org.
