February 1, 2018- BY DEBBIE COCKRELL
When another patient says, ‘I know how hard it is to get out, but it’s still worth it,’ maybe that can spark changes in lifestyle.”
Jill Ater doesn’t have time to get down about Parkinson’s disease.
Diagnosed in 2005 at age 42, today she’s the Northwest ambassador for the nonprofit Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s and will lead local workshops this month to inspire others.
“Our work is on getting people to move and live life every day,” she told The News Tribune in a recent phone interview. “Everyone's victory is different, and we encourage people to have a victory every day.
“When another patient says, ‘I know how hard it is to get out, but it’s still worth it,’ maybe that can spark changes in lifestyle.”
Pierce County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, along with the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, will offer free sessions in February on “Living and Thriving with Parkinson’s.”
Ater, who’s lived in Tacoma for the past year and a half, will be the presenter for the sessions.
The sessions may prove timely amid recent headlines, since another high-profile celebrity recently announced his own diagnosis.
In January, Neil Diamond, 77, canceled the Australian/New Zealand portion of his 50th anniversary tour and announced his retirement after revealing his own Parkinson’s diagnosis.
“That was so sad,” Ater remarked, recounting other famous names tied to the disease: former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, actor Michael J. Fox, former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, singer Linda Rondstadt.
For her, the mission of hope continues for anyone, not just famous people dealing with the diagnosis.
“The big thing I want people to know is there is hope. Just because you have Parkinson’s, it doesn't have you,” Ater said.
She said that at one time she was taking 28 pills a day and is now down to three after having deep brain stimulation surgery March 2013 and July 2014.
The treatment is used to address symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, slowed motion and walking problems.
“It totally changed my life,” she said.
Among other projects, she’d like to produce a blog with travel tips and more about her life to inspire others. Currently, she’s on Instagram and Facebook.
“Parkinson’s is not going to keep me home. Travel is really important. I’ve been to 48 countries and lived overseas,” she said.
She is serious about future travel and her goals are set: “In the fall of 2019, once our younger son is off to college, we are selling everything, getting down to three bags, taking the dog and heading out to see the world.”
Debbie Cockrell: 253-597-8364, @Debbie_Cockrell
LIVING AND THRIVING WITH PARKINSON’S
▪ Feb. 6: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sumner Branch Library, 1116 Fryar Ave. in Sumner.
▪ Feb. 10: 10 to 11 a.m. Pierce County Sound View Building, 3602 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma.
▪ Feb. 14: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. University Place Branch Library, 3609 Market Place W. in University Place.
For more information, call 253-798-4600. To check closer to the date on possible weather postponement call 253-798-8787.
According to statistics from Pierce County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center:
▪ Average age for disease onset is 60 years old, but those younger than 40 also can face a diagnosis.
▪ Parkinson's patients spend $12,000 to $17,000 a year out of pocket, according to the center, with 80 percent of patients on Medicare.
▪ One person in 20 over the age of 80 has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Pierce County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center
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The wires just under Jill Ater’s scalp as part of deep brain stimulation. Ater will lead a series of local workshops: “Living and Thriving with Parkinson’s.” Jill Ater
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http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article197725829.html
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