NEWS: Snyder recipient of Sidney Dorros award

[janet paterson <janet313@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chillicothe, IL - Wednesday, June 6, 2001 - Chillicothean Joan Blessington
Snyder has once again found herself in the national spotlight.

Snyder, who has lived with Parkinson's Disease for the past 11 years,
learned last week that she    is the winner of the 8th Annual Sidney Dorros
Memorial Award.

The award is named for noted Parkinson patient advocate Sidney Dorros, who
was described as a role model, a fighter and an educator.

Snyder received no less than seven nominations for the award.

The award recipient is determined by the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.

Criteria for nomination includes, outstanding achievements and
contributions during 2000, impact on the lives of others dealing with
Parkinson's Disease and impact of disease on own life.

In his nomination of Snyder, Dr. Phillip C. Jobe of the University of
Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria wrote, "Her efforts are hallmarks of
achievement. . . In her zeal, Joan works skillfully with Parkinson's
Disease support groups, the press, fund raising, community education and
awareness. She is a community inspiration. I have never know a lay person
to work as diligently, effectively, inspirationally, and tirelessly to
alleviate human suffering."

Another nomination for Snyder came from John Lester of the Harvard Medical
School/Massachusetts General Hospital. As information technology director,
Lester has seen first hand how Snyder has helped others with Parkinson's
Disease through the online neurology patient support group he manages.

"We have over 300,000 active participants from around the world. I first
met Joan online and saw her helping other people living with Parkinson's
Disease. She offered them words of compassion and hope, and I was
immediately impressed with her dedication as an advocate helping raise
awareness and offering care to people desperately in need all around the
world. . . .giving her this award would send a special message to all
people living with PD. A message of hope in that one person can touch the
hearts and change the lives of thousands of people for the better."

While her outreach advocacy has literally reached around the world, Snyder
takes pride in making Chillicothe a "Parkinson's Aware" community.

She's currently planning her third Parkinson's Awareness Day with a golf
outing July 7 sponsored by the Parkinson's Alliance.

On July 8 she is planning a symposium at the University of Illinois College
of Medicine. The symposium will, for the first time, bring together
Parkinson's patients, family and caregivers with researchers and
neurologists for a round-table discussion.

"Patients as Providers - A Meeting of the Minds" is hosted by the People
Living with Parkinson's (PLWP). Snyder is active on a national level for
both groups.

This project comes on the heels of the publication of "Voices from the
Parking Lot - parkinson's insights and perspectives", a book in which she
contributed, compiled and edited.

Snyder would like all of her friends to attend the reception in which the
Dorros award will be presented to her by Donna Dorros. The reception will
be at Shore Acres Park at 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 9.

"I am so blessed aren't I ?" asks Snyder. "I look back at my life and my
greatest accomplishments have come since I've had PD. My whole life has
been preparation."

Created & Content by James Volpe
2001 Chillicothe Independent
Volume 3 - No. 38


Related WebSites:

Joan Blessington Snyder


The Dorros Family Home Page


Parkinson Alliance


People Living With Parkinson's


National Parkinson Foundation


MGH Neurology WebForums


University of Illinois College of Medicine


janet paterson: an akinetic rigid subtype, albeit perky, parky .
pd: 54/41/37 cd: 54/44/43 tel: 613 256 8340 email: janet313@xxxxxxxxxxx .
snail mail: 375 Country Street, Apt 301, Almonte, Ontario, Canada, K0A 1A0 .
a new voice: the nnnewsletter:  .
a new voice: the wwweb site:  .

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