Parkinson's forum to focus on latest research and tips for living with the disorder

Sunday, September 4, 2016 

By Mike Averill Tulsa World 

Parkinson's forum

What: 2016 Parkinson’s Education Forum

When: is 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton-Downtown Tulsa, , 616 W. 7th St.

Cost: Free, donations will be accepted

Deadline to register is Wednesday.

For more information, or to register, call 918-747-3747 or go online to www.okparkinsons.com

Living with Parkinson’s disease and the latest research on the disorder will be among the topics at the 2016 Parkinson’s Education Forum.

The event, hosted by the American Parkinson Disease Association, is 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton-Downtown Tulsa.

More than 300 people are expected to attend the event, which is intended to be both inspirational and educational, said Jenny Johnson, executive director of the American Parkinson Disease Association, Oklahoma Chapter.

“Parkinson’s disease isn’t a death sentence and those with Parkinson’s can live well given education and support while remaining active,” she said.

Topics will include the psychiatric manifestations of the disease and understanding what medications are available, how they work and the possible side effects.

“It’s really amazing the way Parkinson’s can affect people psychologically,” Johnson said. “Some of the medications can cause obsessive impulsive behavior, hypersexuality. Some people will go online and start gambling.”

There are an estimated 1.5 million Americans living with Parkinson’s. The disease affects men and women alike and is considerably more frequent among those 60 and older.

There are about 1,600 individuals with Parkinson’s across the state, Johnson said.

“When it affects a person, it affects the whole family, especially when the level of care increases for the patient,” she said. “The impact on the family is both physical and financial. There are a lot of things that make it difficult for the family to deal with the disease.”

Laurie Witt, a Parkinson’s patient whose father was also diagnosed with the disorder, said the event is a good opportunity to raise awareness.

“I think there are a lot of people with a lack of knowledge about this disease. It’s like they hide us or are ashamed of us,” she said. “It’s so much more common than other diseases but people know more about the other disorders.”

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