Margot Zobel was a New Yorker who had been very active in making her community a better place. When she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 50, her penchant for activism compeled her to organize the first Parkinson's community walk in 1994, with 200 walkers. That group raised $16,000. Last Saturday, she required the aid of two people as she stood up, and moved toward the potium to address the group. “As I look out into this sea of faces, I see heroes. We have accomplished so much,” said Zobel.
338 teams converged on New York's Central Park on Saturday to support people that live with Parkinson's disease. Many came came with signs and team t-shirts; and, some had pictures of departed loved-ones. They all came to walk as a symbol of endurance, progress, and unity. In a day when journeys of hundreds or thousands of miles are completed in a matter of hours, with very little effort form the travelers, people affected by Parkinson's, from all walks of life, exerted themselves to remind the world that there is still an arduous journey in process. People with Parkinson's tread this journey in a direct and strenuous daily journey. Caretakers and people very close to them, walk along with them, supporting and strengthening. Others in society contribute. The scientist, physician and activist contribute directly. Many others in society contribute in small ways. The taxpayers are largely unaware of their contribution.
There were some insightful quotes from speeches in the moment preceding the walk. Some of them include:
Excerpts from Janet Reno, Former Attorney General of the United States
"The caring is positively contagious and can make all the difference."
"We need to do everthying we can to detect [Parkinson's disease] early and take appropriate steps."
Michael J. Fox enhanced the symbolism a he retold a story about Janet Reno's mother building her family's home in Florida, with her own two hands. She built it with extra care so that it would be strong and protect them. Many years later, the house still stood firm after exposure to a number of hurricanes. There were
many houses in the neighborhood that did not withstand the force of the winds and water, as well as the impact of flying debris. "The power and support that we all draw from is like that house," said Fox.
The words of one walker from New York, from the
Caregiver's Digest echo the feelings of many:
What a beautiful day we had for the Unity walk, here in New York. Someone made this day a day always to remember, nice sun, nice weather and also very nice people too, . . . my angels.
Yes I did lose my husband; but, to see today is my incentive to go back next year. . . Yes, my legs are tired . . . but I had a very nice time. Underneath I started to cry, as I was by myself. But within my heart I know someone was with me, and always. Yes Matt [her departed husband], thank you for being with me today and always. Until we met again.
That quote provides a backdrop for the profound words of encouragement and support that friends and family members uttered along the path. Perhaps even more important are the actions of those people on a daily basis as they accompany a beautiful person struggling with the phenomenon dubbed Parkinson's. The presence of a beaming wife, speaks volumes as she walks with a husband of many decades. She cares for him each day. Her steps, and the millions of steps occurring around her symbolize the efforts and care that countless people put forth each day to cancel out the impact of Parkinson's.
