By Chris Cobb
The Herald-Zeitung
It’s a life-changing and often debilitating illness, and one no one wants to go through on their own.
As they do twice each month, New Braunfels residents gathered Saturday at McKenna Events Center and talked about the importance of having support as they struggle to go through life while suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
“Everyone needs this kind of support,” said Peggy Dubuque, whose husband Tommy started the local support group in 2007. “I can’t tell you how important it is.”
Around 60,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year in the United States, and around one million people suffer from the disease in the United States alone, according to the National Parkinson Foundation.
It’s a neurological disorder that occurs when cells in the brain fail to produce dopamine. The lack of the chemical gradually impairs almost all of the body’s motor functions, often leading to shuffled walking, stiff facial expressions and tremors and shaking throughout the body.
Prior to 2007, residents in New Braunfels had to travel elsewhere to seek support or learn more about their disease.
“It can be so daunting to have to search for treatment,” said Connie Srote. “People don’t realize that when you have a disability, you can’t travel even the 30 miles to San Antonio comfortably.”
Tommy Dubuque started the group in July 2007, and the first Parkinson’s support group meeting in New Braunfels saw six people.
Today, the group has grown to 105 members who regularly attend meetings, according to Peggy Dubuque. They come to learn more from each other about treatment options, or discuss ways others suffering from Parkinson’s cope day-to-day.
“It’s important because people need to be getting all of the information that’s available,” said Pam Callia, a speech pathologist with Kirkwood Manor who presented residents Saturday with treatment options for people whose speech has been gradually stunted by the disease. “It’s definitely informative, but there’s also that component of being able to say ‘this worked for me,’ or ‘this didn’t work, what about that?’ People get a chance to interact with others going through the same thing.”
Although 15 percent of Parkinson sufferers are under the age of 50, the vast majority are over 65, according to foundation statistics — an age group that makes up a significant portion of Comal County’s population.
Around 25 percent of county residents are older than 55, according the United Way’s Comal County Community Needs Assessment.
With a large senior population and the disease so widespread, Srote stressed the importance of receiving treatment and seeking support from those in your community who can help.
“A lot of people don’t say they need help because they’re still functional, and it’s a hard thing to talk about,” she said. “But (support) can help, and having it here in New Braunfels is really a blessing.”
The group meets twice each month, once to have a group discussion and again to hear guests speakers present different treatment options or helpful tips for those with Parkinson’s.
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