Michael J. Fox Foundation reps to speak in Post Falls
About eight years ago, Rick Howell was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a brain disorder that causes shaking, uncontrollable movement, loss of balance and other physical symptoms.
Not long after the diagnosis, Rick and wife Barb visited New York City, where they attended a Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research event.
"In my estimation, they are the go-to foundation for everything Parkinson's," Rick Howell said Tuesday. "There are so many great organizations, but I think they're the one. If there’s a disease-modifying treatment, they will have their fingerprints all over it."
The Howells, who live in both Coeur d'Alene and Seattle, were so moved by meeting co-founder Deborah Brooks they became supporters of the foundation sparked by the beloved actor after he was diagnosed in 1991.
"One of the things they've said, their mission is to go out of business because they won’t be needed anymore," Barb Howell said.
In their continued mission to find answers to this heartbreaking condition, the Howells and the Coeur d'Alene Parkinson's Support Group are bringing representatives from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to North Idaho.
"It rocks your world. It's something you don’t want people to go through,” Rick Howell said. "The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the information they have is beneficial and I want to share that."
He said other Parkinson's patients and caregivers he has met are wonderful people.
"They deserve better," he said.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will send Mark Frasier, chief scientific officer, and Jennifer Riedel, senior associate director, to speak during a free event from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Red Lion Hotel Templin's on the River, 414 E. First St., Post Falls.
The presentation will include an overview of the foundation's mission to end Parkinson's, an update on promising research and information on how to get involved with clinical research, advocacy and community events as well as a question-and-answer session.
"The speakers that are coming out, they are wonderful, gifted people and gifted speakers as well," Barb Howell said. "It's uplifting for the people with Parkinson's to hear what they're all about and what they’re working on."
Frasier joined the foundation in 2006. He co-manages a team of research professionals who are closely linked to the Parkinson’s research community to develop an aggressive and innovative agenda for accelerating research and drug treatment development.
Riedel joined the foundation in January 2017. She develops and implements strategies to engage the broader community in the foundation's mission to find a cure.
Rick Howell said those with Parkinson's and their caregivers are all part of the same tribe. He said he hopes those who attend the event will leave feeling knowledgable and hopeful about the future.
"I know they're going to get information they haven't heard before that will be beneficial to them," he said. "I hope there is more camaraderie from this. People dealing with the disease, directly or indirectly, they're not in it alone. There is hope. The tribe has their backs."
For details, call Beth at 208-635-5243 or Pat at 208-660-7603.
Info: cdaparkinsons.com
