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Saturday, June 24, 2017

Lives remembered: Brian Cant 1933 - 2017

June 24, 2017



Brian Cant died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease



Cant played a role in the life of the nation’s children, presenting the BBC’s Play School for 21 years from 1964 and Play Away from 1971 to 1984. 


He was also a guest presenter on Jackanory and appeared on ITV’s Dappledown Farm. 
Brian Cant was born in Ipswich and educated at Northgate Grammar School and initially trained as a printer before deciding he would rather make his way as an actor instead. 
He was working in BBC Schools drama television programmes on a project about the Romans when he heard that BBC2 was looking for people for a new children’s programme. 
During the audition producer Joy Whitby asked him to get into a cardboard box and pretend to row out to sea. 
He duly fished from the boat and caught a wellington boot full of custard. 
The role was his. Although he became “Mr Play School”, he also did a great deal of work elsewhere.As well as Camberwick Green, Trumpton and Chigley, and hosting programmes for slightly older children such as Bric-a-Brac, he worked as an actor. 
In the 1960s he appeared in two Doctor Who stories, The Daleks’ Master Plan and The Dominators, and he also appeared in films including The Pleasure Girls, The Sandwich Man and A Feast At Midnight, which starred Christopher Lee. 
There were also numerous stage appearances and he continued to work until relatively recently, in 2011 making his third appearance in the show Doctors. In 2007, Cant was named the best loved voice from children’s television. He was married first to Mary Gibson, from whom he was divorced and secondly to Cherry Britton, who he wed in 1984. 
He had two sons from his first marriage and three children from his second. 
In 1999 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and at the time of his death had been living in Denville Hall, a retirement home popular with entertainers. 
The one thing he wanted children to take away from his work was, “that I made them laugh, I made them feel happy,” he said.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/obituaries/820877/Brian-Cant-dead-lives-remembered

Friday, June 23, 2017

Tips for Daily Living: Preparing for Summer with Parkinson’s Disease

Does summer have you thinking about taking a trip or enjoying the great outdoors? Follow these tips on Parkinson’s and travel, sun safety and heat exhaustion.


Travel Hacks

Vacations are a big part of living well. Many people choose to travel during summer, but with Parkinson’s there are some extra things to consider before hitting the road. These tips can help you stay safe while you travel:
  • Bring your Aware in Care hospitalization kit Parkinson's ID bracelet and card everywhere. Order your free Aware in Care kit at www.awareincare.org, by calling your local chapter or our lifesaving Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).
  • Travel with all medications in original bottles. Keep the original label with the name of the drug and your doctor’s name.
  • Bring a copy of your prescriptions (generic and non-generic names) and medication schedule. Include your physician’s name and contact information.
  • Pack enough medication to last your entire trip in your carry-on bag. Include snacks, water or juice to take with medications. Pack extras in case your trip is delayed.
  • Continue to take your medications as prescribed, even if changing time zones. Keep the same intervals between doses. Consider wearing two watches: current time and time at home.
  • If staying in a hotel, ask these questions before you arrive:
    • What does “accessible room” actually entail?
    • Can you have room that has a walk-in shower with grab bars?
    • What is the proximity to elevators?
  • Ask your neurologist to give you the name of a doctor in the area you are traveling. Take note of your nearest Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, chapter or support group in the area.
  • Rest the day before your trip AND the first full day you arrive.

Sun Safety

If you plan to soak up the sun this summer, remember to take care of your skin. Melanoma is an invasive form of skin cancer that has been found to develop more often in people with Parkinson’s. Here’s how you can prevent melanoma:
  • Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more. Apply sunscreen daily before leaving your house, year-round. If you drive often, keep sunscreen in your car so you can apply it to your hands. When in direct sun, wear protective clothes and a hat.
  • Examine yourself from head to toe. Melanoma can occur in hidden spots that can be easily overlooked. Once a month, look for odd marks and black spots on your skin and nails. Ask a loved one to help you check the areas you can’t see.
  • Know your spots. Look for a skin growth, mole or beauty mark that changes in size, color or texture.
  • Protect yourself from sun exposure. Schedule an annual screening with a dermatologist. Specifically ask for a skin cancer screening. Be sure to point out any abnormal spots.
  • Look for “sun sensitivity” listed on medication warning labels, these warnings can increase your chances of sunburns.
  • Use sunscreen when around reflective surfaces. Water and sand reflect sun rays and increase sun exposure, increasing your odds of getting a sunburn.
  • If diagnosed with skin cancer, get treated right away. Early-stage melanoma has a 98 percent survival rate.

Keep Cool

As the temperature rises, everyone is at risk of overheating. Be smart about your outside time. How to beat the heat:
  • Stay Hydrated. Drink water even if you are not thirsty.
  • Try to drink more than the recommended 9 to 13 cups of water per day when you are in the heat.
  • Exercise Smart. If exercising outside, keep track of how much time you spend in the heat. Consider exercising outdoors in the early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler outside.
  • Know the Signs of heat stroke: flushed face, high body temperature, headache, nausea, rapid pulse, dizziness and confusion. Once heatstroke is suspected, begin cooling immediately. Go to your nearest emergency room or urgent care for treatment.
Annie Wallis, MSW, LSW, is the Parkinson’s Foundation Ohio Chapter program manager where she leads support, education and community granting programs. As a licensed social worker, she is passionate about making sure that Ohioans with PD and their loved ones have all the support and tools they need to live well with Parkinson’s.


http://www.parkinson.org/find-help/blogs/tips-for-daily-living/Preparing-for-Summer-with-Parkinsons-Disease

Cherish Life’s Fleeting Moments and Do Not Surrender

BY SHERRI WOODBRIDGE   June 23, 2017



I am not the first to realize how quickly time flies. My oldest son turned 34 this year. I remember thinking my mom was really old when I found out that she was 34. Ha. Little did I know how young she really was.
I sometimes send myself into shock when I think about how old my children have become and how quickly. How quickly the days and the years pass. There are no do-overs, nor are there second chances. It can leave you feeling sad. I watch my grandson each day and I am fully aware of how the same thing is happening to him. And to me. Each day comes. Each day goes. No second chances. No do-overs.
One day at a time.
Quickly.
They’re gone.

As a young mother or father, it is hard to realize how fast the time passes by. Oh, there are moments when the doctor tells you little Jimmy has grown a foot and you wonder how that could be, for it was just yesterday you were counting his stubby little toes. You’re too busy changing diapers and feeding hungry bellies. You’re engulfed in tubs of laundry and running to Little League events.Throughout all of the busyness, you are so consumed with the next activity that you lose sight that this could be one of “the lasts.” When once you thought you had forever, now you realize you may not have tomorrow. The games are over. The baby clothes are given away. The Big Wheels are worn out.
I am not sure how all that came running out, except to say it was May before I realized Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April was over and I mostly flaked out on making others aware. Go ahead. Throw the tomatoes. I don’t really think I could have done much better.
As my grandkids keep growing and refuse to slow down ― no matter how much I plead and beg them to stop ― I often wonder when will be the last day I’ll rock them because they just won’t fit in my lap anymore? Or the day, when I pick them up, when they won’t come running into my arms anymore? The time when they won’t be enamored with a hummingbird and wave goodbye as it buzzes away?
Sometimes life has a way of bringing us down. The thing we need to try to avoid is staying down. When dealing with a chronic illness day in and day out, that can feel somewhat impossible some days. We can lose the desire to be a part of the fleeting days and may rather flee right along with them.
That’s one reason I watch my grandkids. Life is so very precious and we aren’t promised tomorrow. That can be taken two ways.
First, we aren’t promised tomorrow in that we may not have the opportunity ever again to spend time with those we love. We may choke on an olive at dinner tonight, and that will be the end of life as we know it.
Second, we aren’t promised tomorrow, in that we may still be here physically, but too soon our grandkids may just about tip our wheelchairs over if they were to get on our laps now. They grow up too fast.
I know that should I avoid choking on an olive at dinner tonight, I may very possibly still not be able to do things with others because of the journey on which this disease is taking me. And so, I must make a choice.
In spite of what can be excruciating pain, loss of mobility, tiredness, and everything else that can come with Parkinson’s disease, do I say forget it and give in to that dying spirit or choose to endure the pain and whatever else may come and keep fighting this thing?
I choose to fight.
Today, however, I know there are some of you who may not be so sure. That is what prompted this post. Somebody may feel like giving up, like giving in. Please don’t.
If you don’t have the strength to fight emotionally, reach out to someone. You can write me or message me on Facebook. Find someone, so you know that you are not in this alone. I will fight with you. I will fight for you. I’ve been there in the dark places, and fighting is so much better because even in the pain, life ― just like rocking grandchildren ― is so very precious.
***

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s Disease. 
https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2017/06/23/parkinsons-wont-rob-me-of-lifes-fleeting-moments/

FoxFeed Blog: New Tool May Help Researchers Predict Cognitive Decline with Parkinson's Disease

Maggie McGuire Kuhl    June 23, 2017



A new tool from researchers at Harvard Medical School may allow investigators to predict cognitive decline in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), which could help design clinical trials and test new therapies. The tool uses an algorithm combining varied personal details -- age at onset, baseline score on the Mini Mental State Examination, years of education, motor exam score, sex, depression, and GBA mutation status.
The scientific team, led by Clemens Scherzer, MD, published this work in the scientific journal The LancetNeurology. They compared data from six studies to develop the tool, which they validated with data from three studies, including The Michael J. Fox Foundation's landmark biomarkers study, the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Overall, they looked at data from 3,200 people with PD.
Predictive modeling - a process that uses data mining and probability to forecast outcomes - is important as we work toward objective, biological markers of Parkinson's disease. (In fact, a recent PPMI study did reveal potential biomarkers of Parkinson's cognitive decline).
Prediction tools can allow studies to enroll fewer participants, thereby saving time and money. If we want to better understand cognitive decline or test a treatment against this symptom, we need a certain number of people who will get cognitive impairment. Without a prediction tool, we may have to enroll a larger population to account for those who won't develop cognitive decline. The algorithm can help researchers choose people likely to experience this symptom.
An interesting inclusion in the algorithm is education years. The more years of formal education patients in the study had, the greater was their protection against cognitive decline.
"This fits with the theory that education might provide your brain with a 'cognitive reserve,' which is the capacity to potentially compensate for some of the disease-related effects," said Dr. Scherzer. "I hope researchers will take a closer look at this. It would be amazing, if this simple observation could be turned into a useful therapeutic intervention."
The researchers say the tool is not ready for widespread clinical use as there is considerable work required to optimize the algorithm (their next step) and currently there are no therapies approved to prevent or stop cognitive decline in PD.
Through use in research studies, though, their prediction tool may aid in the discovery of new PD treatments and determine which patients would benefit most from those therapies.
"Prediction is the first step," said Dr. Scherzer. "Prevention is the ultimate goal, preventing a dismal prognosis from ever happening."

https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?new-tool-may-help-researchers-predict-cognitive-decline-with-parkinson-disease

New Program Brings Hope and Fitness to People with Parkinson’s

 BY Rachel Urbanski | June 23, 2017



WAYNE, NE — The tremors, stiff muscles and overall restlessness are what people with Parkinson’s disease deal with everyday.
For Randy Peterson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson seven years ago, boxing has helped.
“I have boxing equipment in my basement and I see results. I think it’s positive. It’s hard work.”
The Providence Wellness Center in Wayne just began to offer Rock Steady Boxing, a program that is a non-contact form of boxing targeting people with Parkinson’s. The program has been around for 11 years and the location in Wayne is one of 260 affiliates around the world. 
“It really improves your flexibility and balance and those are the things that progress in Parkinson’s….”
As many as 1 million people in the united States are currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, with 60,000 being diagnosed each year according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
Heidi Keller, an instructor, says the training improves motor skills, but most of all about confidence.
“It’s engaging for them, it’s great because the people in the group all have similar conditions so they aren’t alone or in the gym by themselves…They all have the same thing…It’s a good group of people.”
There’s no denying it’s working, according to Peterson who encourages those with Parkinson’s to join.
“It’s a no brainer, you have to do it.”
http://kwbe.com/local-news/new-program-brings-hope-and-fitness-to-people-with-parkinsons/

An African plant extract may be a potential cure for Alzheimer's Disease

India TV Lifestyle Desk, New Delhi  
21 Jun 2017

The tree extract could pave the way for new drugs to tackle patient symptoms but without the unwanted side-effects associated with some current treatments.



A recent study published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology has raised hope for a novel treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. It has been found that a plant extract that was used for centuries in traditional medicine in Nigeria, known as the Carpolobia lutea could form the basis of a new drug to treat the progressive brain disorder that impairs memory. The extract taken from the leaves, stem and roots of this plant protects chemical messengers in the brain which plays a vital role in the functioning of the brain, including memory and learning.
According to the study, the tree extract could pave the way for new drugs to tackle patient symptoms but without the unwanted side-effects associated with some current treatments.
The researchers found that the Carpolobia lutea plant was highly effective in preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine and also had other beneficial antioxidant properties in fighting free radicals -- the unstable atoms that can cause damage to cells and contribute to ageing and disease, that may be exacerbated in Alzheimer's disease.
Carpolobia lutea, known more commonly as cattle stick, is a small shrub found native to Central and West Africa. Herbalists in Nigerian tribes use the essence of the root as an aphrodisiac and the treatment of genitourinary infections, gingivitis, and waist pains. In patients with Alzheimer's disease and other diseases such as Parkinson's disease and myasthenia gravis, the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is reduced, leading to problems with memory and attention.
"As a population we are living longer, and the number of people with dementia is growing at an alarming rate. Our findings suggest that traditional medicines will provide new chemicals able to temper Alzheimer's disease progression," said lead researcher Wayne Carter from University of Nottingham in Britain.
http://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/news-alzheimer-disease-can-be-treated-by-african-plant-extract-387403

Correct connections are crucial

Individualizing deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease
Date:
June 23, 2017
Source:
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Summary:
Investigators have been examining the use of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in an attempt to optimize treatment effectiveness.

The stimulation volume (red), i.e. the area of the brain immediately adjacent to the electrode, which becomes 'activated' when stimulation occurs. Credit: Andreas Horn, Charité


Working with colleagues from Harvard Medical School and Würzburg, researchers from Charité -- Universitätsmedizin Berlin have been examining the use of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkison's disease in an attempt to optimize treatment effectiveness. Specifically, they have been looking at which brain regions need to be connected to the electrode used for deep brain stimulation. The researchers found a way to use brain connectivity (i.e. connections in the brain) to predict the best possible relief of Parkinson's Disease symptoms. The results, describing an effective network profile of deep brain stimulation has been reported in the journal Annals of Neurology.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for Parkinson's disease, usually leading to significant improvement in motor symptoms and quality of life. Symptoms such as movement restrictions, muscle rigidity, or tremor can be alleviated using the neurosurgical procedure which places small electrodes into deep structures of the brain. Whether optimal symptom relief is achieved depends on the correct placement of the electrode. Characteristic connectivity patterns can be observed between the area surrounding the implant and other areas of the brain. "An optimally-positioned neurostimulator disposes of an optimal connectivity profile," explains Dr. Andreas Horn, a researcher at Charité's Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology. "High treatment effectivity is associated with strong connections between the DBS electrode and specific frontal areas of the brain, such as the 'supplementary motor area'," says Dr. Horn. This relationship was not previously known.
The researchers were also able to show that an electrode's connectivity profile can be used to predict the extent to which treatment can alleviate a patient's movement restrictions. They did so by using a special electrode localization procedure which was developed at Charité in the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Andrea Kühn over a period of several years. The procedure continues to be based on exact brain connectivity maps which were developed in cooperation with Harvard Medical School. The researchers used the MRI sequences of more than 1,000 test subjects to create a 'connectivity map' of the average human brain. Using both of these methods in combination, it is possible to produce connectivity profiles for any DBS electrode. Using basic principles from the field of machine learning, the researchers succeeded in producing and validating an optimal connectivity profile. Dr. Andreas Horn and his international research partners successfully ensured the high-precision placement of more than 90 DBS electrodes.
The researchers are planning to conduct further studies to develop a patient-specific, 'made-to-measure' method of brain stimulation. This may become feasible since it is possible to analyze a patient's specific connectivity profile using MRI training data even before he or she undergoes DBS electrode placement surgery. "It would be possible to determine the optimal location for stimulation even before the invasive part of the procedure starts," says Dr. Horn. "We are now in the process of developing a complete procedure for connectivity-based deep brain stimulation, which will then need to undergo further validation studies." At some point in the distant future, this will make it possible to run a computer simulation prior to using the treatment in a specific patient.

Story Source:
Materials provided by Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinNote: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:
  1. Andreas Horn, Martin Reich, Johannes Vorwerk, Ningfei Li, Gregor Wenzel, Qianqian Fang, Tanja Schmitz-Hübsch, Robert Nickl, Andreas Kupsch, Jens Volkmann, Andrea A. Kühn, Michael D. Fox. Connectivity predicts deep brain stimulation outcome in Parkinson's diseaseAnnals of Neurology, 2017; DOI: 10.1002/ana.24974

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170623100446.htm

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Building stronger voices: UMass offers Parkinson’s patients help to be heard


Staff Writer

June 22, 2017
Doug Adler opens his mouth as wide as he can and out booms his voice, “Ahhhhhhhhhh,” smooth and low like an a cappella baritone.
He is a slender man, 68, with perfect pitch, but he isn’t in a recital hall, he is a Parkinson’s patient strengthening his vocal cords in a classroom at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
“Think about projecting your voice over to that corner,” says speech pathology graduate student Ashley Higgins, 22. She points to a spot in the classroom more than 10 feet away.
He lets out another, “Ahhhhhhhh.” 

Adler, a retired fundraiser who lives alone in Belchertown, came here because his voice was getting softer, a change that came on gradually. At first he thought that the changes were age related, but then his sister struggled to understand him over the telephone and friends became confused when he answered phone calls, thinking that his weakened voice was a monotone answering machine.
Then, two years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disease that impacts the muscles, and he learned that his struggles with speech were likely related.
“Your voice is something that you take for granted all your life and when you start losing it, you realize what a precious gift it is,” he says as his eyes fill with tears after a recent voice training session.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s and the disease tends to get worse over time, often marked by hand tremors and a shuffling gait. Communication problems are frequently overlooked by doctors but have a devastating impact on a patient’s quality of life, says Lisa Sommers, clinical assistant professor and clinic director of the Center for Language, Speech and Hearing at UMass.
“We are really trying to get this on the radar screen,” she says.
That’s why, three years ago, she organized a five-week course that pairs speech therapy graduate students with Parkinson’s patients, like Adler.
The class is both to train future clinicians, but it is also a preventative measure for people early in the disease. Like most college courses, it requires readings and presentations by the students, but they also work one-on-one with patients — in Adler’s group there were 10. The Massachusetts chapter of The American Parkinson Disease Association provides funding for it.
Gradual decline
The patients learn about the anatomy of voice and practice vocal exercises that they can do at home. They also learn about the physiology of breathing.
“It is a use it or lose it scenario,” Sommers says. “You really need to stay engaged.” She is standing at the front of the room watching Adler work with Higgins.
Higgins is facing Adler as he inhales deeply, his belly expands, and he lets out another “Ahhhhhhh.” This time Higgins waves her finger in front of him like a conductor signaling for him to raise and lower his pitch. Like a coach, she pushes him to keep going.
When he is done, she flashes him a wide grin and says, “Killing it, awesome job.”
Like any muscles, the vocal folds in the throat can be exercised. As Adler’s pitch changes, his vocal cords become longer and shorter. Air is pushed through, creating the vibration which makes sound. 
The lengthening and shortening of the vocal cords is how inflection naturally occurs in speech to convey meaning, like sarcasm or a question. In Parkinson’s patients, this ability can diminish. The vocal cords also often don’t come together as firmly or as rapidly, so the voice takes on a muted, monotone sound. Breathing even becomes shallow, so air pressure in the vocal cords decreases and voices become quieter. This happens so gradually, that patients often don’t notice until they are severely impaired, Sommers says. 
“They appear soft and mumbled, unenthused with what they are talking about – when in reality they are none of those things.” she says, “They are impaired in their verbal communication. ...This is the story of Parkinson’s – how slowly things creep up on people.”
About 90 percent of people with the Parkinson’s will have some decline in their ability to communicate, says Sommers. If there is no intervention with speech therapy, some patients will lose all ability to be understood, she says, which makes of this symptom crucial, she says.
Singing again
Adler doesn’t remember exactly when changes in his voice first appeared, because, he says, he didn’t pay much attention to them. As the years went by, his voice would tire easily and became raspier. He always tried to make light of it and didn’t realize that he could have a debilitating problem.
“I would joke about it saying I never would have made it as a politician because I can’t speak that long,” he says.
But after his Parkinson’s diagnosis, he realized it was no joke. Still, he didn’t think there was anything he could do to prevent the deterioration of his voice until someone in his Parkinson’s support group in Greenfield told him about the program at UMass.
“There is a lot of support if you reach out for it,” he says. “It is important to be engaged and take some ownership and responsibility for your health.”
He clears his throat and then takes a sip of water before he projects another, “Ahhhhh” across the room. 
He is just finishing up the program, but he plans to continue with the voice exercises at home. He says he still has a long way to go, but simply being more aware of his voice has made a difference. On a recent Sunday he worked up the courage to sing in church again. Friends and family have noticed his voice is stronger and has more inflection.
At the end of the course, Sommers and the students planned to sit with each patient to work out a plan to continue with voice training. She says she will recommend that all of the 10 patients in this year’s program go on to have regular speech therapy with a clinician.
“I feel like the people who leave this group, leave with a lot of great information. This is going to help their outcome.” 
Lisa Spear can be reached at Lspear@gazettenet.com.
How to connect
The cost is $250 for 10 1½-hour sessions, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 5:30 p.m., beginning each May at the Center for Language, Speech and Hearing at 358 North Pleasant St., Amherst.

The building has its own parking area and is handicap accessible. Space is limited to 10 and there are typically some scholarships available. To register, call 545-4010.
http://www.amherstbulletin.com/Parkinson-s-Voice-Training-10844406

FoxFeed Blog: A Family’s Commitment to Accelerating a Cure

By Tara Hastings,  June 22, 2017


The Tour de Fox Series is comprised of four cycling events that bring together the Parkinson’s community with a goal of raising over $1 million for Parkinson's research. Coming off the heels of the successful Tour de Fox Pacific Northwest, the Foundation is busy preparing for upcoming rides in Cleveland (Ohio), Santa Rosa (California) and Greenville (South Carolina). Read why one MJFF staffer is taking part in the Tour and learn more about how you can pedal for a cure.    
Parkinson’s disease came into my life 13 years ago when my mom was diagnosed at 57. She was having a slight tremor in her hand and was frustrated that she was having difficulty combing her hair. Our family assumed she had a pinched nerve or something minor. We were floored when she received her diagnosis. She already had beat breast cancer years earlier, and I have to admit it was hard at times not to think how unfair it was. I think my whole family felt that way at some point -- except my mom.
She didn’t feel sorry for herself. She didn’t complain. She was wasn’t angry, mean or bitter. She just kept living life with enthusiasm. Drawing on her strength and positivity, my family focused on supporting PD research. In 2011, my sister Kerry climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Team Fox, raising over $23,000. I began working at the Foundation in 2015, thrilled to join such a passionate group of people committed to finding a cure.   
We lost her in December 2016. I often think about her infectious laugh. It was the kind you’d like to bottle up and open on a bad day.  When I asked my four-year-old daughter what she will miss most about Nana, she said “Her laugh. That was my favorite.” One of the countless pieces of advice my mother gave us was to smile, and people will smile back. I take comfort knowing that she lives on in the smiles of my daughters. 
She was so much more than a person with Parkinson’s disease -- she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, special education teacher and loyal friend. My family is participating in the Tour de Fox Wine Country Ride in California in August. We can’t wait to be surrounded by the inspiring Team Fox community. It is the weekend of what would have been my parents’ 47th wedding anniversary. It seemed like a fitting way to honor her.
She set an example of how to live life, how to take the bad with the good. We will continue to try to follow that example she spent a lifetime setting -- to be strong, to stay positive, to smile and to keep living life. 
Inspired? Register to participate in the Tour de Fox with rides ranging from 10 to 80 miles, or bike in your own community by registering as a virtual rider.

https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?family-commitment-to-accelerating-cure

Tour de Fox Great Lakes

June 22, 2017





Sunday, July 16 2017 | Cleveland, Ohio

Pedal through the forests, farmland and winding river valleys of the greater Cuyahoga County.

Cyclists have the option to choose from a 75-mile, 35-mile or 10-mile ride. 100 percent of proceeds will go directly to high-impact programs to speed better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease. 

where:

The Lillian and Betty Ratner School
27575 Shaker Blvd
Cleveland, Ohio 44124
 

what:


Cyclists
Cyclists have the option to choose from a 75-mile, 35-mile  or 10-mile ride. Please note: Ride registration and start times vary based on distance selected. Registration for each ride is $50 (USD) and all riders must raise an additional $200 (USD) by the day of the ride. Walk-up registration is $75 (USD) and can be paid day-of the event. Registration fees are fully tax-deductible and non-refundable. 

Earn a limited edition 2017 Tour de Fox Series cycling jersey by raising $500 or more by the event date. Help the Tour hit the $1M fundraising goal and ride in style!

NEW! Participate Virtually
If you can't make it to the ride, ride from the comforts of your own home! Choose your mileage, create a fundraising page and help close the gap on a cure from your home town. Registration is $25 and for those who fundraise an additional $75, we'll send you Tour de Fox swag! All virtual riders are also eligible for the limited edition Tour jersey by raising $500 by the day of the ride.

Register by going to:

https://tourdefox.michaeljfox.org/greatlakes/Account/Register

Volunteers 
Volunteers are needed to help coordinate day-of activities and rally participants to pedal hard. Volunteers can sign up here.

Festival Attendees
Non-cyclists are also encouraged to join the finish line festival for live music, food and fun activities for the whole family. Registration is not required to attend the festival (see below).
  

ride schedule:

Start and registration times are staggered and based on the distance of your ride (see below). To allow for efficient check-ins, cyclists should visit the registration table no earlier than 90 minutes prior to your start time.

LONG RIDE: 75-mile ride
Start time: 8:00 a.m.
Cyclist check-in begins at 7:00 a.m.
Course map available 

MEDIUM RIDE: 35-mile ride
Start time: 9:30 a.m.
Cyclist check-in begins at 8:00 a.m.
Course map available

SHORT RIDE: 10-mile ride
Start time: 10:30 a.m.
Cyclist check-in begins at 9:00 a.m.
Course map available

*All courses are subject to change due to municipal approval. 

Walk-up registration for $75 (USD) is welcome. Walk-up cyclists should visit the registration table as soon as check-in begins for their ride.
 

FINISH line FESTIVAL:

Everyone is welcome to join the festival at the finish! Whether you come out to ride or support a cyclist, stay for the finish festival to enjoy live music, local food trucks, kid-friendly fun and more. The suggested donation is $20 (USD) per person and can be given the day of the event. Festival entrance is included for all registered riders.

The festival will be held at the following location:

The Lillian and Betty Ratner School
27575 Shaker Blvd
Cleveland, Ohio 44124

 MAPS ARE AVAILABLE -GO TO:

https://tourdefox.michaeljfox.org/greatlakes/Static/Event-Info