PAN congratulates Iowa State Coordinator Karla Hansen on an article recently posted by Sioux City, Iowa News Channel 4 KTIV. In the article, Karla discusses her advocacy and interaction with the PD community, both locally in Iowa and throughout the country with PAN.
Below you find the full text of the article, along with a link to the original posting.
http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=25333
Holstein, IA Woman Battles Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder
caused by a lack of dopamine in the brain. It can be difficult to
diagnose.. requiring many doctor visits and tests. Most commonly onset
occurs in your 60s or older. But sometimes Parkinson's can show up much
earlier.. that was the case for Karla Hansen of Holstein, Iowa.
Karla Hansen says, "I had a tremor in my right hand." Karla Hansen was
44 at that time. It took three years... dozens of tests... and several
hospitals before a doctor said she had Parkinson's Disease. Karla says,
"I was scared, I didn't know where to turn to." Karla first turned to
the internet to find out all she could about the debilitating disease.
As was the case with Karla, tremors are the first sign. Then there's
loss of balance, sleeplessness, swallowing and speaking problems, and
loss of memory. Karla says, "I know what I want to say, but I can't
think of the word, and then I lose my train of thought." Medication has
slowed the diseases progression... so will staying active. Karla says,
"Doctors say as long as you stay active, it will progress slower."
Karla bides her time painting ceramics, playing online games, and
volunteering anywhere she can. She is also very active in Parkinson's
Research groups and her support group. A group of friends she turns to
when the Parkinson's gets to be too much. Karla says, "So, I'm not
scared now."
But fear aside, the disease will progress. Research has not found a
cause for Parkinson's and therefore no cure. That means someday, it's
possible, Karla will live her worst fear. Karla says, "Not having any
use of my body." But Karla won't let fear get the best of her. She's a
fighter and she will fight Parkinson's to the end. Karla says, "I have
Parkinson's, Parkinson's doesn't have me. I want people to understand
that we have a disease, but we are not contagious. Please be our
friend, please support us, please help us."
Karla has a support group with around 20 members in the Holstein area.
There's also a support group in Sioux City. Now, if you want to find
out more about Parkinson's Disease, research for a cure, or support
groups in your area.. you can go to the Parkinson's Action Network
Website. We've built a link to that page at ww.ktiv.com.
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