By Karen Shuey
Aug. 14, 2016
For those living with Parkinson's disease such as Blandon resident Doug Nemeth, each day is a surprise. Will it be a good day - with less tremors and more energy - or a bad day - with decreasing mobility and increasing depression?
Saturday turned out to be a pretty good day for Nemeth.
That's due in large part to the support he received from family, friends and strangers who showed up to the inaugural Ontelaunee Orchards' Peach for a Cause Parkinson's Walk at the business near Leesport.
The fundraiser is the first step forward in bringing awareness to the challenges of those battling the progressive disorder and the therapies being developed to help combat the disease.
"It's wonderful to see this kind of support," Nemeth said as he watched about 60 people start off on their journey through the orchard. "You can't imagine how humbling it is to know so many people want to get behind this cause. It means a lot."
Nemeth, vice president of Ontelaunee Orchards, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease 11 years ago when he was just 49.
Parkinson's disease attacks the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But, while a tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson's disease, the disorder also causes stiffness or slowing of movement. The symptoms worsen over time.
"It's a horrible disease because it slowly takes away your ability to take care of yourself," said walker Janet Colflesh, a Leesport resident who saw her mother and father struggle with the disease before passing away. "No one knows what causes it so there's no way to know if I'm more at risk than someone else. But I worry about it everyday."
Parkinson's disease affects more than 1 million Americans, with about 60,000 cases diagnosed annually.
Although the disorder cannot be cured, medications can improve symptoms. Researchers and scientists are working to develop protective drugs that can delay, prevent or reverse the disease.
'An inspiration'
Stacey Mullen, the manager of retail operations at the orchard, organized the event.
Each participant contributed $20 to benefit Parkinson's Unity Walk, which donates to the American Parkinson Disease Association, the National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's Action Network, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, The Parkinson Alliance and The Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center.
"This is something that is near and dear to our hearts," she said. "To see Doug run this company while he's battling this horrible disease has been an inspiration."
Nemeth credited the people around him, particularly his wife, for providing a steady foundation.
He said their support gives him the lift he needs to get through his darkest days. Up to 60 percent of people with Parkinson's disease experience mild or moderate depression.
In fact, Nemeth said that research suggests that the disease itself causes chemical changes in the brain that can lead to depression since it affects parts of the brain that are important in controlling mood.
Dan Noll, a Blandon resident who brought his family to the event, saw his father experience some of those same symptoms out of frustration over losing his mobility and ability to communicate.
"Parkinson's disease affects different people in different ways," he said. "It was very hard to see what it did to my father. The hardest part for him came toward the end when he couldn't express himself anymore. It was like he was trapped in there."
His father, Leonard D. Noll Sr., passed away on Tuesday.
"We planned to do this walk as a family a few weeks ago but his death made it more of a tribute to him," he said. "It's something small but it has a lot of meaning for us."
Contact Karen Shuey: 610-371-5081 or kshuey@readingeagle.com.
http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/dozens-take-stroll-at-ontelaunee-orchards-in-battle-against-parkinsons
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