Readers Who Write

When one has a toothache, who do they seek for treatment? A dentist, right? If you’re experiencing chest pain, you wouldn’t hesitate to get yourself in front of a cardiologist.

How about coming home from a long day at work and finding Fido on the floor, unresponsive; what would you do? Making a trip to the nearest veterinarian would be the logical choice.

Imagine if you will, any of these scenarios happening to you, but there is no dentists, no cardiologists or the nearest veterinarian is an hour away. You would be pulling your own tooth (without novacaine) or you would be praying that the 911 first responders arrive before you find yourself approaching those Pearly Gates. How sad it would be if all you can do is embrace Fido in your arms while saying goodbye?

It was December 2014 when my wife Kerry and I sat across from a neurologist I was referred to. His words changed the course of my life forever: “You have Parkinson’s Disease.” The rest of that day was (and still is) a blur. While establishing a treatment plan customized to my specific needs, my doc let it be known that he was going to retire.

I didn’t respond to the news with a “Congratulations” or “I’m so happy for you.” I could only come up with three words:“What about me?”

He gave me a list of nearby neurologists and said, “Pick one and I will write the referral.” Not recognizing any of the names, I asked, “Who would you pick if you needed a Neurologists?” Without hesitation, he named a neurologist who was proficient in movement disorders and is the one you want if you’re looking for someone who is on the cutting edge of Parkinson’s research and symptom management.”

Immediately I responded, “Sign me up.”

For someone in the 10th year of their PD adventure, my symptoms are mild and slow to progress. Credit for that goes to being treated by a specialist.

There are many folks who have extremely severe PD symptoms and are only into their second or third year with Parkinson’s. Everybody experiences Parkinson’s differently.

It is a customized disease which requires a customized treatment plan, and results will vary!

You may be wondering what this all has to do with needing a dentist, or a cardiologist or even a vet. With more and more neurologists leaving the area, my doctor is one of the few remaining neurologist with movement disorder expertise in Southern Oregon. Problem is, his patient load is at max. I know one day he will also retire; then what will I do?

According to a 2022 article published by Statnews.com, a study funded by the Micheal J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson’s Foundation indicated that there are approximately a million Americans living with Parkinson’s, and that number is growing by almost 90,000 per year (a steep 50% increase from previously estimated 60,000 yearly PD diagnoses).

The same report indicates that in the U.S., there are currently 3,000 to 4,000 neurologists. Compare that to the 600 neurological movement disorder specialists in the United States who have the additional required training. Can you see the problem? There is a shortage of specialist to meet the growing demand of millions of Americans.

How about you: is your specialty trained medical professional conveniently available or do you have to compromise?

I facilitate a Parkinson’s support/care group for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. We get together at 2 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month in the Pioneer Village Senior Living Media Room, second floor (next to the elevator), 805 N. 5th St., Jacksonville. For details, call 541-702-4521.

So you say you want to write?

Go for it.

Send us 500 or so words of scintillating copy. Make it funny. Make it poignant. Make it count. Make it any way you want.

Just don’t cuss. Don’t be boring. And have a point.

If we like it, we’ll run it.

Email submissions to community@rv-times.com. Put “Readers Who Write” in the subject line, and tell us the city where you live.