MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT DECEMBER 2015

WOW! 2015! What an incredible year. On the 17th of this month PRO turns 25 years old! Hard to imagine the miles we have traveled and the milestones we have seen transpire. In 25 years we went from calling the organization  "Children of Parkinsonians" (1990-1995) to Parkinson’s Resource Organization; We went from a single support group in West Los Angeles with no attendees to, at times, hosting as many as 15 support groups throughout Southern California with attendance as high as 60. We started out with meetings specifically for spousal caregivers and adult children of people with Parkinson’s (the two roles I have played in my life) and have evolved to: meetings with PWPS and their families and friends, to specific meetings for spousal caregivers and adult children. Our meetings were always and to this day remain a nighttime event helping those who could not attend in the daytime as no other organization wanted to take that slot. We produced symposia focusing on “Quality of Life” and symposia focusing on the “Cure" as well as  fundraising events from small intimate gatherings to grand black tie galas through the years. Our monthly newsletter started as a one page letter recapping the topics covered in the support group meeting, today we are a very full 8 pages, still sharing support group stories, uplifting revelations, guest speaker notes and relevant topics to help our community. The universal portal to our support services, one-on-one coaching, established focus groups. information and vital resources is our integrative website which also makes our VIRTUAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY called the Wellness Village available to the entire world.

The Organization was intended to be in existence for only seven years because we were told 25 years ago that the cure would be here within 5 years. I believed THEM. I said I would work for seven years, just to help those who may have been too advanced to be cured. I went from a single woman engaged to marry a man with Parkinson’s, to the wife of that man, and now the widow of that man. ALAN ROSEN an internationally renowned architect was an incredible man who lived through the indignities this disease causes. His 18 years with the disease compelled me to continue my efforts to find the greatest quality of life possible for families affected by Parkinson’s, even if that family was one, and that one was the person with Parkinson’s. My quest continues as I optimistically and with a hopeful heart seek and support a cure.

An organization does not survive and thrive for 25 years without the attention, support and steadfast loyalty of incredible people along the way... Far too many to mention in this short message, I must acknowledge this who stand by us day in and day out, take our calls, step up when needed and never say no: our Founding, Honorary and Advisory Board Members who remain involved and supportive; Our Boards of Directors, particularly attorney WILLIAM (Bill) REMERY  and KAYA KOUVENON; Volunteer Professionals like LYNN HAWKS, who started with our audio visual needs in 2001 and went on to create and continually maintain our website and now the WELLNESS VILLAGE on our website; GARY D. LOPEZ who has graphically created our newsletter, tribute journals and more since 2003; MARILYN VAN SANT who facilitated our Newport Beach support group for 20 years; and SUSAN DU BRIN who has facilitated our Encino support group since 2005; Volunteers like LEONARD RUDOLPH who started with us as bookkeeper in March of 1995 and at age 87 still comes to the office to write checks; PAT DUNAY whose husband had PD, and herself with MS continues (since 1998) to provide me with a home away from home as I travel from support group to support group; our daily, weekly and monthly volunteers without whom we could not survive, and our DONORS who celebrate their generosity with us.

During 2016 we look forward to continuing our service to the Parkinson's community: acknowledging, supporting and promoting those who help us, those whom we currently help and reaching out to those still sitting on the fence, just finding their way on a new journey called Parkinson's.  I am totally proud of the accomplishments Parkinson’s Resource Organization and am profoundly humbled by all who support us, praise our work and share our services with others. Here's to another PROvocative and informative newsletter especially for this time of year. The UPDATE ON THE ROAD TO THE CURE  is definitely a current issue. IMPORTANT DECISION AFFECTING OVERTIME PAY TO HOME CARE WORKERS By Ronald Fatoullah, Attorney at Law. GETTING HELP WITH YOUR TREATMENT.  SWALLOWING DIFFICULTIES – A SERIOUS PROBLEM.  DANCING WITH OUR STARS – A Dance Experience  and our inspirational THE GOLD AND IVORY TABLECLOTH.

Honoring the 25 year milestone of PARKINSON'S RESOURCE ORGANIZATION we invite you to join us as we acknowledge the first 25 years and look to the future with promise and commitment. Your donation of $25.00, $250.00 or $2500.00 will insure our good work continues to expand.  You will be making a difference in your life or the life of a loved one this MONTH with your donation. our safe PayPal donation page or mail your donation to our office in Palm Desert, CA.

Until next month, REMEMBER Hanukkah starts on the 6th and ends on the 14th, Winter Solstice is the 22nd, Christmas on the 25th, Boxing Day on the 26th and New Year’s Eve on the 31st. December's birthstones are Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise. Its birth flower is the Narcissus, also known as the daffodil. ALWAYS remember to CELEBRATE YOU and PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!

Love, Jo Rosen

Founder & President