April is National Parkinson’s, Awareness month and the 5^th Annual Pig Out for Parkinson’s, which benefits the Parkinson’s Program of Manhattan at Meadowlark Hills.

In honor of National Parkinson’s Awareness Month and to raise awareness for PD, please join us Thursday, April 23, at Cox Bros BBQ from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 9 p.m. for our Pig Out for Parkinson’s. Cox Bros donates 10 percent of the sales from the day of  the event to the Parkinson’s Program. Coach Bill Snyder will be present at lunch to sign autographs and take pictures. With a minimum donation of $10 to the Parkinson’s Program, you will receive a bottle of Cox Brothers BBQ sauce signed by Coach Snyder. Prize drawings for an autographed K-State football and basketball will take place. This year there will also be a prize drawing for your pick of a bicycle from Big Poppi valued up to $600. The tickets for the prize drawings are $1 for one ticket or $5 for six tickets and can be purchased at the Meadowlark Hills Hospitality Desk until Wednesday, April 22,or at Cox Bros BBQ. The drawings will take place at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, April 23.

It is estimated that 4 to 6 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease. The number of Americans with PD is estimated to be one million; however this number is likely higher as many people are not accurately diagnosed. There are blood tests and brain images that can be done to rule out other disease processes, but there is not one specific test that results in a definitive diagnosis of PD. Although diagnosing PD is a complicated task, almost 60,000 Americans are diagnosed every single year. With our population living longer, the rate of diagnosis will continue to grow as the risk for this progressive neurological disease increases with age. Men have a greater prevalence of PD than women; however, this statistic is not always reflected in our community. The cause of PD is still being researched however the best evidence currently suggests that there is both a genetic and an environmental component involved. This means that although an individual may have the genetic predisposition for the disease, unless they are exposed to a toxin (i.e. pesticides) the disease will not become active.

The hallmarks of the disease are stiff muscles postural instability, slow movements and resting tremor (although not present in the majority of the individuals). Some other common features present in PD include: depression, quiet voice, constipation, vision changes and sleep disturbances.

With the right medications, therapy and exercise, individuals can regain some control and confidence in their daily living skills and improve the quality of life. This is where the Parkinson’s Program of Manhattan at Meadowlark Hills becomes so important for individuals affected by the disease in the Flint Hills region. The Program offers biweekly exercise classes, weekly voice classes, bimonthly caregiver support groups, monthly education group, consultations, a lending library of books (both at Meadowlark Hills & the Manhattan Public Library), CDs and equipment and other outreach and educational opportunities. All of these services are provided free of charge to anyone in Manhattan and the surrounding communities.   

If you have questions about the Parkinson’s Program please contact Michelle Haub, Parkinson’s Program Leader by phone at 323-3899 or 532-1485 or via email michelle.haub@meadowlark.org

Transportation will be provided at no charge and will depart from the Village Entrance at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 23. To register for transportation sign up in the Blue Book at the Hospitality Desk.