AUGUST 2016

6370 LBJ Freeway

Suite 170

Dallas, TX 75240

(972) 620-7600

www.daps.us

north texas giving day 2

strange facts about pd 3

member profile 4

july jubilee 4

memorials, honors, donations 5

caregivers corner 6

executive director’s message 6

group schedules 7

calendar of events 8

Unconventional Wisdom continues on page 3

Unconventional Wisdom:

A patient organization challenges long-held

assumptions about women and Parkinson's disease

It all started with an innocent question, insists Robin Morgan, a volunteer

with the Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF). She was attending one

of the foundation's Parkinson's Advocates in Research (PAIRS) training

sessions when she asked, “How do we know that Parkinson's is primarily a

men's disease?”

“Some of the doctors said, ‘Tsk, tsk, we just know,'” says Morgan. “But others

said, ‘Interesting question. We don't know.'”

That question and the divergent answers inspired Morgan and several other

women at the session, including Ronnie Todaro, MPH, vice president for

national programs for PDF, to launch the first-ever Women and PD Initiative

(http://www.pdf.org/womenpd). Their goal? To recognize the unique needs of

women with Parkinson's disease, advocate for more research on the different

ways the disease manifests in men and women, and put out a call to women to

join clinical trials

A MOVEMENT IS BORN

The three-day conference in Florham Park, NJ, in mid-September focused on

the question of what makes women different from men in terms of Parkinson's.

To sow the seeds of a grassroots movement, the PDF raised money to bring a

group of 25 women with Parkinson's disease from around the country to the

event to hear about their experiences.

After attending sessions led by female clinicians on everything from drugs in

the pipeline to women's role in the family, the 25 guests were encouraged to

take what they learned and replicate it or adapt it to their own communities.

“The aim is for them to talk about Parkinson's in general, and women and PD

specifically,” says Morgan, who was diagnosed almost six years ago. “We want

to inspire activism. Get people in their community to write to their members of

Congress and newspapers for more research support, educate the public, and

ENJOY YOUR

SUMMER!

Next General Membership

Meeting

Monday

September 12, 2016

1:00 p.m. (There is no meeting in August.)

speaker:

Jeryn Laengrich Chief Service Officer, Cariloop

topic:

How Skilled Nursing and Rehab Can

Keep You Moving

University Park

United Methodist Church

4024 Caruth Blvd (at Preston)

Dallas, TX 75225

INSIDE

by Mary Bolster

PAGE 2 · DAPS · AUGUST 2016

DAPS greatly appreciates the barbecue provided

at last month’s July Jubilee courtesy of

Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital in Allen.

Learn more about Warm Springs

as well as other facilities and services

in the Post Acute Medical system by visiting

PostAcuteMedical.com.

Board of Directors

Chad Swank, Ph.D., President

Barbara Glass, Vice President

Ann Heidger, Secretary

Diana Winkelmann, Treasurer

Cindy Weatherall, Advisory Council Liaison

Chris Clausen

Liza Farrow-Gillespie, J.D.

Bentley Foster

Mary Ellen Malone

Chick Martin

Heather Stevens

Jim Struble

Greg Wood

Dedicated to impacting and improving

the lives of those affected by

Parkinson’s disease

Medical Advisory Board

Shilpa Chitnis, MD, Ph.D.

Richard B. Dewey, Jr., M.D.

Richard L. Fulbright, Ph.D.

thDwight C. German, Ph.D.

R. Malcolm Stewart, M.D.

Gary L. Tunell, M.D.

Newsletter

Jill Dominguez, Editor

The DAPS newsletter is published monthly as an

information guide only, and does not serve as legal or

medical advice. We welcome your feedback,

contributions or requests. Please send to or contact:

Jill Dominguez

Phone: 972-620-7600

jill@daps.us

www.daps.us · facebook.com/daps.us

Submissions must be received by the 1st of the month

preceding publication date and are subject to editing.

Advisory Council

Sarah Atwood

Dusty Berry

Jean Blomquist

Ben Casey

Carlie Dorshaw-Moe

Shirley Hand

Charlene Noe

Sandi Pautler

Joyce Susman

Barbara Taylor

Executive Director

Mike Miles

Since its beginning in 2009, North

Texas Giving Day has poured more

than $118 million into the North Texas

community. This online giving event

provides non-profit organizations an

opportunity to gain exposure, as well

as to begin new relationships with

donors. It’s also a way for people in

North Texas to come together and

raise as much money as possible for

local nonprofits.

This year’s event is the 8th annual

North Texas Giving Day! Mark your

calendar for Thursday, September 22.

This event is not just for regular DAPS

donors. Social media provides an

easy way to share information about

DAPS outside of the north Texas area

and provide a way for them to donate

as well.

Watch for more detailed information

here in the newsletter as well as on

Facebook and Twitter. If you would

like to learn more now, please visit

www.NorthTexasGivingDay.org.

encourage more women to participate in clinical trials

so we have a patient population to study.”

DIFFICULTIES UNIQUE TO WOMEN

“Women are 22 percent less likely than men to be seen

by a neurologist,” says Morgan, referring to a 2011 study

in Neurology about neurologist care in Parkinson's disease.

Morgan herself was misdiagnosed for almost two years.

“I was tested for absolutely everything—brain tumor,

multiple sclerosis, Huntington's—even though I kept saying,

‘I think I have Parkinson's,' because my mother had

Parkinson's.” It wasn't until Morgan went to a movement

disorders specialist that she was finally diagnosed.

Women are also more prone to depression and dyskinesia

(involuntary movements or tics), says Morgan, citing several

recent studies in Neurology about sex differences in

Parkinson's disease.

SEX SPECIFIC RESEARCH

Morgan sees hope on the horizon, thanks to a recent

mandate from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for

sex-specific research. “They mandated it right down to the

cellular level,” she says. Still, there's work to be done. The

NIH studies “represent only 27 percent [of all studies].

We've got to impact Big Pharma to factor the other half of

the population into research. Women are not just small men

with different reproductive systems.”

LOOKING AHEAD

The first meeting was a “rousing success,” says Morgan.

The women are back in their communities, spreading the

word and communicating relevant details about the various

sessions. “Their feedback will dictate where the initiative

goes next: a bigger conference, no conference, mini-

conferences, public service announcements, pamphlets,

booklets.”

There's no turning back, says Morgan. “I hope it makes

general neurologists think about sex-specific medicine or

listen to their female patients and maybe recommend a

movement disorders specialist, because women with PD

present differently than men. I hope it makes clinical

researchers seriously recruit women.”

With her simple question four years ago, Morgan helped set

in motion an initiative she's confident will deepen and

expand. “Once you factor in half the population previously

ignored, things change.”

Reprinted with permission from December 2015/January 2016

issue, Neurology Now® ©2015 American Academy of Neurology

To learn more about the Women & PD Initiative,

go to www.pdf.org/womenpd.

Over 6000 years ago, L-dopa, in seed form,

was being used in India to treat symptoms of

Parkinson’s disease.

Anti-cholinergics, used to treat Parkinson’s

disease, are found in nature as Deadly

Nightshade, a plant so poisonous that one leaf can

kill an adult.

Many people in the Pacific island of Guam have

developed Parkinson's Disease, due to feasting on

flying foxes, a species of bat that can be as big as

six feet across. This is because the bats eat cycad

seeds which contain a potent neurotoxin.

Japan is the only country in the world where there

are definitely more women than men with

Parkinson's disease. In Japan, the women with

Parkinson's disease far outnumber the men.

Red haired people have double the risk of

developing Parkinson's disease. The pigment that

colors hair red is made from L-dopa, just as is

dopamine, the substance whose deficiency causes

Parkinson's disease.

James Parkinson, who Parkinson's disease was

named after, never knew that Parkinson's disease

was called Parkinson's disease.

Source: http://viartis.net/parkinsons.disease/strange.facts.htm

AUGUST 2016 · DAPS · PAGE 3

Unconventional Wisdom continued from front page

Strange Facts About Parkinson’s Disease

PAGE 4 · DAPS · AUGUST 2016

Bill was diagnosed

with Parkinson’s disease

(PD) in November of

2003 and retired from

business ownership and

sales in 2007. He joined

DAPS about eight years

ago after his sister saw a

DAPS profile in one of

the local papers.

DAPS membership has

been a positive force in

Bill’s quest to deal with

PD. He always looks forward to the weekly exercise and

voice programs, and DAPS is where he’s met many new

friends.

PD has reshaped Bill’s life. Before PD, he had no idea that

he would someday have to retrain his brain to direct how he

eats, swallows, talks, and walks.

Today, though, as he recovers from recent Deep Brain

Stimulation (DBS) surgery, Bill can’t wait to get back into his

regular routines. In addition to the DAPS exercise program

and voice classes, Bill enjoys dancing with friends Misty

and Fred, taking his dog on long walks, riding his bike, and

dancing at local senior centers. As for “spare” time, Bill also

works on various art projects. (Yes, on top of everything

else, Bill’s an artist!)

Bill has two grown sons, three grandsons, and one

granddaughter, Avery. While Avery is currently only eleven,

a goal close to Bill’s heart is to, someday, dance at her

wedding. With Bill’s persistent efforts and his zeal for life,

along with continued support from DAPS, he’s sure to lead

Avery in a turn (or two!) on that future dance floor!

Bill

Armstrong

by Fred Ransdell

Those attending the July Jubilee enjoyed

catered barbeque, potluck side dishes

and desserts, as well as a packed

house! Pianist, Dave Tanner, led a

patriotic sing-along and told the history

behind every song, reminding us why

we’re called the Grateful Generation.

AUGUST 2016 · DAPS · PAGE 5

In memory of Ken Boren

From: Leo & Eddie Dagley

In memory of James M. (Jim) Harned

From: Jeane Jamell & Pat Losey

In memory of Mickey Conn

From: Mrs. Helen Adair

In memory of Ann Lowe

From: Loya Merritt

In honor of Philip & Sherry Burke

From: Shirley & Jim Gregory

In honor of Jeane Blomquist

From: Cindy Weatherall

In honor of South Garland DAPS

exercise leaders

From: BV & Janie McDermott

Kudos in honor of

Joyce Susman & Tammy Slauson

From: DAPS Board of Directors & Staff

Donation to DAPS

From: Holly Cohn

Emilia Reyna

Anonymous Individuals at June General Meeting

Briggs Equipment

MacArthur Hills Senior Living

Kroger Community Rewards participants

DAPS at Lakeside (Dallas)

DAPS at Preston Hollow (Dallas)

DAPS at South Garland (Garland)

DAPS at Trinity (Duncanville)

DAPS McKinney meeting attendees

Non-Event Donations

From: Jeryn Laengrich

Fred Ransdell

Marilyn Levin in honor of Leon Levin

Linda Barnes in memory of Gary Atwood

Donald Bennett in memory of

Barbara Bennett & Lois Baily

Shirley, Beth & Wes Hand in memory of

Rex L. Hand

DAPS at South Garland participants in honor of

SGBC Leadership & Volunteers

Ian Andersen

Dusty Berry

Edna Buentipo

Leo & Eddi Dagley

Jill Dominguez

Raul Dominguez

Bentley Foster

Liza Farrow-Gillespie

Barbara Glass

Ann Heidger

Pam & Matt Michel

Mike Miles

Donna Miles

Sandi Pautler

Jackie Reis

Debora Schoene

Holly Scott

Joyce Susman

Chad SwankCindy Weatherall

Diana Winkelmann

Greg Wood

MEMORIALS · HONORS · DONATIONS

JUNE 2016

DAPS has partnered with Cariloop, a company that provides

comprehensive services and tools to help families plan for

and manage the care of loved ones. Each member is assigned

a designated healthcare coach and an online portal to help families navigate the

complicated healthcare maze. DAPS members will receive a 67% discount off the

annual price of Cariloop. For more information, call 972-325-5836 so your family

doesn't go through the journey of Parkinson’s alone.

PAGE 6 · DAPS · OCTOBER 2014 PAGE 6 · DAPS · AUGUST 2016

Bridges are Meant for Crossing

On my daily commute to the office during this election year

(which has seemed like 3 years), I routinely pass a house

where the owners have been proudly displaying a large

banner with the name of their candidate of choice and the

phrase “President in 2016.” Their choice was one of the

many in the GOP field that eventually bowed out. Now that

the field has narrowed to one, I have noticed that the

banner continues to adorn their fence with one minor

change. Where it once said “President in 2016,” the “16”

has been crossed out and replaced with “20.” Talk about

crossing a bridge before you get there! If I have to look at

that banner until the 2020 elections, it will make this

election year seem short in comparison.

But, it got me thinking. Where will DAPS be in 2020? We

should not lose sight of today by looking too far down the

road, but we dare not wait to cross that bridge until we

come to it. I join the multitude of others hoping and praying

for a cure for Parkinson’s, and I applaud the great strides

being made in the field of medical research. In the

meantime, however, we must do what we can for those

who face the daily challenges of Parkinson’s disease.

Here is what I see for DAPS as we approach and cross

the 2020 bridge. We keep serving those affected by

Parkinson’s disease. We support, encourage, and provide

resources for our DAPS members who are showing that

one can have Parkinson’s without Parkinson’s defining

who they are. Yes, there are challenges, but there are also

ways to maintain an active lifestyle! We will continue to get

the word out that exercise, speech, and connecting with

others makes a difference in maintaining quality of life and

that DAPS is committed to providing those very things. As

new and better ways of helping the Parkinson’s community

are discovered, I see DAPS leading the way by offering

those services in the Dallas area.

Much will happen between now and 2020. Hopefully there

will be medical breakthroughs that significantly change the

way Parkinson’s is treated, if not cured. But until the cure is

found, DAPS will keep doing all that we can, everywhere

that we can, and in the best ways that we can. All the

while, we will keep an eye on the bridges, and when the

time is right, we will lead the way across them!

A message from Mike Miles

Executive Director

How does a person with Parkinson’s know when

it’s no longer safe to drive?

The following are just a few of the primary symptoms

of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that could potentially

interfere with driving safely:

Tremors — can begin in one hand and foot and affect

the ability to operate vehicle controls

Rigidity — can result in jerky motions while steering

Bradykinesia (slow movement) — can interfere with

timely braking

Postural instability or stooped posture — can

significantly reduce the driver’s view of their

surroundings

Impaired cognition — can reduce reaction time

Some warning signs that you or your loved one should not

be driving with PD include driving too slowly, stopping in

traffic for no apparent reason, ignoring traffic signs, getting

lost along a familiar route, difficulty executing turns and

changing lanes, drifting into other traffic lanes, and

becoming sleepy or drowsy while driving.

If you have concerns about driving, contact your local

Department of Motor Vehicles for an assessment, or call

the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists

(866-672-9466) to find a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist

(DRS) who can assess your needs. A local rehabilitation

center or hospital may also be able to connect you to a

trained occupational therapist to assess your driving skills.

These are just a few pointers for evaluating whether or

not to continue driving with PD. Having a frank and open

discussion with your loved one and involving the doctor

is a key first step to ensuring that all of those involved

remain safe.

with Sherita Glanville

About the columnist:

Sherita has been a registered nurse for

over 30 years. Her background encompasses

experience in medical surgical nursing, ER,

ICU, CCU, psychiatry, home health

administration, managed care, and health

and wellness. Outside of her work with DAPS,

she is a certified Aging Life, LLC Care

Specialist/Geriatric Care manager for

Caregiver Support Systems, LLC in Dallas.

www.caregiversupport.com

To submit a question to Caregivers Corner, please use the ‘Contact Us’

page on the DAPS website (https://daps.us/contact). Select “Question

for Caregivers Corner” from the drop-down list for “Category.”

You may also submit questions by mailing them to the DAPS office at

6370 LBJ Frwy, Ste. 170, Dallas, TX 75240.

DAPS’ NO-CHARGE

exercise · speech therapy · support groups

AUGUST 2016 · DAPS · PAGE 7

THPHD GROUPS & CLASSES

The Movement Disorders Education and Resource Center

at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (THPHD)

at 8200 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75231 offers the following for free:

PD Patient Support Group Care Partner Support Group

3rd Thursday each month at 6 pm 4th Monday each month at 1 pm

Essential Tremor Support Group Atypical Parkinson’s Support Group

2nd Wednesday of odd months at 1 pm (PSP/MSA/CBD)

3rd Saturday each month at 10 am

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Kathryn MacDonell at

214-345-4224 or DallasMovementDisorders@TexasHealth.org.

CARROLLTON: *NEW LOCATION

*Grace Lutheran Church

1200 E. Hebron Pkwy. (972-492-4474)

Group Exercise:

Wednesday...10:00 to 11:00 am

Speech Therapy:

Wednesday…11:15 am to 12:00 pm

DALLAS:

Finley Ewing Cardiovascular &

Fitness Center, Studio 3

5721 Phoenix Drive (214-345-7074)

CLASSES RESUME AUG 9

Dance for Movement Disorders:

Tuesday…2:00 to 3:15 pm

Thursday...2:00 to 3:15 pm

1st Saturday...11:00 am to 12:15 pm

Lakeside Baptist Church

9150 Garland Rd. (214-324-1425)

Dance for PD®:

BEGINNING ON AUG 10

Wednesday...9:30 to 10:30 am

Speech Therapy:

Wednesday...10:30 to 11:15 am

Partners-in-Care Group:

Wednesday...10:15 to 11:15 am

Preston Hollow United Methodist

Church

6315 Walnut Hill Lane (214-363-4393)

Speech Therapy:

Tuesday...11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Group Exercise:

Tuesday...10:30 to 11:30 am

Thursday...10:30 to 11:30 am

DUNCANVILLE:

Trinity United Methodist Church

1302 S. Clark Rd. (972-296-2155)

Speech Therapy:

Thursday...1:00 to 1:45 pm

Group Exercise:

Monday...3:30 to 4:30 pm

NEW TIME BEGINNING ON AUG 15 Monday...12:00 to 1:00 pm

No class last Monday of the month

Thursday...2:00 to 3:00 pm

Support Meeting:

Last Monday...6:00 to 8:00 pm

Partners-in-Care Group:

3rd Thursday...1:00 to 2:00 pm

Dance for PD®:

CLASSES RESUME AUG 15

Monday...10:30 to 11:30 am*

*NOTE NEW TIME

No class last Monday of the month

GARLAND:

South Garland Baptist Church

1330 E. Centerville Rd. (972-271-5428)

Group Speech:

1st & 3rd Monday… 9:30 to 10:15 am

Thursday… 9:30 to 10:15 am

Group Exercise:

Monday...10:30 to 11:30 am

Thursday...10:30 to 11:30 am

Discussion Group:

Monday...9:30 to 10:30 am

Partners-in-Care Group:

Thursday...10:30 to 11:30 am

IRVING:

MacArthur Hills Sr. Living

1295 Kinwest Pkwy. (469-251-4349)

Group Exercise:

Tuesday...10:00 to 11:00 am

Friday...10:00 to 11:00 am

MESQUITE:

Mesquite Rehabilitation Institute

1023 North Belt Line Rd.

(972-216-2400)

Speech Therapy: Tuesday...9:30 to 10:00 am

Group Exercise:

Tuesday...10:00 to 11:00 am

PLANO:

Custer Road United Methodist

Church

6601 Custer Road (972-618-3450)

Speech Therapy:

Thursday...11:00 to 11:45 am

Group Exercise:

Monday...9:45 to 10:45 am

Thursday...9:45 to 10:45 am

Partners-in-Care Group:

Monday...9:45 to 10:45 am

RICHARDSON:

Arapaho United Methodist Church

1400 W. Arapaho Rd. (972-231-1005)

Group Exercise:

Tuesday...10:00 to 11:00 am

Friday...10:00 to 11:00 am

NON-CONTACT BOXING

FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Title Boxing Club of Allen

300 N. Greenville Ave.

214-644-2640

allen-greenville.titleboxingclub.com

Tuesday/Thursday..10:30 to 11:30 am

Wednesday...8:15 to 9:15 pm

Saturday...10:15 to 11:15 am

DAPS has partnered with

Title Boxing of Allen to obtain

reduced rates. Learn more about the

program at FreeMotionPD.com.

Contact the class trainer, Heidi

Weimer, with any questions

regarding schedules or rates.

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Dallas, TX

Permit No. 3255

RETURN SERVICE

REQUESTED

Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society

6370 LBJ Freeway, Suite 170

Dallas, Texas 75240

(972) 620-7600

All General Membership and Board Meetings are held at University

Park United Methodist Church, 4024 Caruth Blvd., Dallas, TX 75225.

For more information, call 972-620-7600.

DAPS McKinney meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at

St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 110 St. Gabriel Way, McKinney,

TX 75070. Email mckinney@daps.us for more information.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

disclaimer: The contents or opinions expressed in this Newsletter are those of the individual writers or presenters and do not constitute an endorsement or approval by DAPS staff. Please consult your personal physician regarding your individual medical problems.

For change of address or corrections, please indicate the changes on this page and mail it to DAPS, or email: daps@daps.us

august:

NO GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

open board meeting

Monday, August 15 - 1:00 p.m.

september annual kickoff

Monday, September 12 - 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Jeryn Laengrich

Topic: How Skilled Nursing & Rehab can

Keep you Moving

daps mckinney

NO MEETING IN AUGUST

september in mckinney

Tuesday, September 20 - 10:00 a.m.

Speaker: Tim Powell, Cerna Homecare

Topic: Beyond Homecare: Advocacy and

Entertainment for Patients and Caregivers

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