When the Nebraska State Fair moved from Lincoln to Grand Island in 2010, a key component to making the move successful was enlisting an army of volunteers to ensure the best possible experience for the fairgoer.
That strategy has worked for each year as the State Fair sees more and more people coming to the event. Every year the Nebraska State Fair enlists more than 800 volunteers to do a wide variety of chores during the 11-day event.
One of the volunteers who has been there from Day 1 is Missy Nelson of Grand Island.
“When the opportunity came up for the State Fair, I have worked every day for every fair,” Nelson said.
In 1989 Nelson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She worked as an assistant to the mayor of Grand Island and the city administrator. She also worked for Rep. Bill Barrett when he served the people of the Third Congressional District.
Nelson’s employment with the City of Grand Island lasted until 2005, when she retired. The next year, Nelson began deep brain stimulation (DBS) for her Parkinson’s disease.
DBS is a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a medical device called a neurostimulator, sometimes referred to as a “brain pacemaker.” It sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific targets in the brain (brain nuclei) for the treatment of movement and neuropsychiatric disorders.
She said DBS has stabilized her Parkinson’s disease and allowed her to become active as a volunteer in the community.
Volunteering has always been important for Nelson. When working for the City of Grand Island, Nelson was a volunteer for the Third City Community Clinic as a receptionist.
“It wasn’t anything Earth-shaking, but I did as much as I could,” Nelson said.
Volunteering is something Nelson has always had a passion for.
“I just love to help people,” she said. “When I got Parkinson’s, I just wanted to keep doing as much as I could.”
Nelson was 58 years old when she retired.
“I was pretty young but I still felt I had a lot of life left,” Nelson said. “I just keep active.”
What helped Nelson remain invigorated and active was DBS. When the State Fair moved to Grand Island, she decided it was a wonderful opportunity to not only keep active but help the community also.
As a volunteer at the State Fair, Nelson works a five-hour shift every day of the event.
“It was something I wanted to try and loved to do,” she said. “I have tried everything you can do at the fair, from riding the tram to explaining what is where to working at the Welcome Center and the Volunteer Center.”
She has also driven a golf cart around the fairgrounds, giving people rides who needed them.
“I also welcomed everybody to the fair,” Nelson said. “It is so much fun.”
She said the volunteers have helped make the fair successful during its last eight years in Grand Island. “The volunteers know that and they give of their time,” Nelson said.
For Nelson, volunteering never gets old. She said she will continue to volunteer as long as she is able.
“Absolutely,” she said. “I have met so many nice people that I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”
And her resolve to keep active and to help the community is a part of the healing process for Nelson.
“I may have Parkinson’s, but Parkinson’s doesn’t have me,” she said.
Bette Pore is a senior editor for The Independent.
http://www.theindependent.com/news/local/missy-nelson-volunteering-aids-healing-process-for-g-i-woman/article_a4f516ac-b842-11e7-8808-fbd291b7364b.html
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