By Marie Head of Big Canoe

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and I, along with the Parkinson’s Foundation Georgia Chapter urges everyone in Dawson County to join our community as we promote greater awareness of how Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects one million Americans and their families.

Awareness is even more critical now during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure that we are reaching this vulnerable community to provide the tools and resources they need to better manage the disease from home or in the event of a hospital stay. These tools include the Parkinson’s Foundation Aware in Care hospital safety kit, medical alert card, a customizable medication schedule and more.

To get involved, individuals can take part in the Foundation’s many online programs, including Moving Day Virtual, an online event that encourages the Parkinson’s community to move and fundraise to support better research, care and resources. Additionally, PD Health @ Home offers virtual health and wellness programs to stay safe and healthy at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Community members can also share these online programs, their story, or others’ stories on social media. You can find these programs along with more information at Parkinson.org

I am a care partner to my husband Don Miller who was diagnosed in 2011. We found a community and invaluable resources with the Parkinson Foundation. Together, we can make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure.