Almost every weekday afternoon, Chuck Bergman picks up Tom Kolack and Larry Reed and takes them to Cape Coral Wellness for a workout.
On the way over, the group will talk about sports, particularly FGCU, traveling as businessmen and life in general.
But what they talk most about is Parkinson’s disease.
It’s why Kolack can’t drive and Reed prefers not to.
For Bergman, who was one step away from pitching in the Major Leagues, it’s a pain in the butt.
“I didn’t want this,” he said. “I didn’t need the crap of a shaking hand.
“Some people look at me and say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you.’ But at 6:30 in the morning when I’m popping a pill, it’s a different story.’"
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of 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 commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.
Among those who have had Parkinson’s are Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox, Janet Reno, George H.W. Bush, and possibly, Bill Clinton.
An estimated 1 million people have Parkinson’s with about 60,000 diagnosed every year. It’s the 14th-leading cause of death.
While it’s not officially known how many in Lee County have the disease, using percentages from other areas on various seniors age groups, it’s estimated about 3,000 people here are affected.
“It affects everybody differently,” said Reed, who thinks he has had symptoms for more than four years. “With some, it’s tremors, with others the body is affected, others have different speech problems.”
Kolak, diagnosed 13 ½ years ago, said he sometimes struggles to find the right words.
“I’m tempted when people ask, ‘How are you doing?’ to say, ‘I’m a little worse than the day before,’" he said. “You don’t see it or feel it. I’m fortunate in that I’ve done a pretty good job of fighting it.’ “
Kolak, 75, sometimes feels he’s a burden to his wife. He and Reed noted depression can be a problem for some.
That’s why these outings are so good, they said.
Reed said moving, stretching, doing light weights and swimming keeps Parkinson’s from “consuming you.” Kolak said the coffee clutches after the workouts provide a great support group.
“Talking with other persons who have Parkinson’s is a breath of fresh air,” he said. “They can understand what you’re going through and I understand what they’re going through.
“You can’t be embarrassed to a fellow patient because they know what going through.”
Bergman has made it a personal crusade to have people learn more about the disease, which takes the independence away from so many people.
“We need to get ahold of people and put Parkinson’s in front of the public,” he said. “The numbers are staggering.
"It's a silent killer."
Hope Parkinson Fall Forum
What: Hope Parkinson Program Fall Forum, “Medical Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease,” will feature neurologist and movement disorder specialist Khadijah Shamseddine, M.D., presenting “Medicines to Manage Parkinson’s Disease: Motor & Non Motor Symptoms,” and Lee Health neurosurgeon Saman Javedan, M.D., presenting “Surgical options for Parkinson’s Disease and Tremor.” A speaker panel and Q&A session will follow.
When: Oct. 27 at 8:30 a.m. Registration, exhibits, buffet breakfast. The program begins at 9 a.m.
Where: Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive
Cost: $10 includes a light breakfast and valet parking
Info: Preregistration is required by Oct. 20. Register online at www.HopeParkinson.org/Events or call 985-7727.
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