Wednesday, December 15, 2021
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The Observer | www.theobserver.com
Raising awareness of Parkinson’s non-motor symptoms via storytelling (StatePoint) With the help of an Airstream trailer traveling the country, people with Parkinson’s disease will soon have a unique opportunity to record and share their experiences and personal stories as part of a program called “Yours, Truly.” Nonmotor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease, as a whole, can be more troublesome than motor symptoms, in terms of quality of life. The stigma around these symptoms may also create challenges. As a recent survey shows, caregivers to those living with Parkinson’s disease psychosis are hesitant to discuss Parkinson’s non-motor symptoms involving psychosis with physicians in the
presence of patients so as not to embarrass them. “Patients and caregivers are reluctant to talk about non-motor symptoms out of concern for their loved ones,” said Leilani Pearl, senior vice president of communications at the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Having a place to hear and share the unique experiences of others living with Parkinson’s will increase awareness of symptoms and may help others get the care they need.” “Parkinson’s disease affects about 1 million people in the United States, which may present with both motor and non-motor symptoms. Around half of the people living with
Parkinson’s disease may develop hallucinations or delusions over the course of their disease, but the majority of people don’t proactively tell their physicians about these symptoms. That’s why I believe it’s so important to share experiences across languages and cultures,” said Dr. Gus Alva, assistant professor at University of California, Riverside Medical School, Department of Neuroscience. The storytelling campaign is in collaboration with StoryCorps, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “preserve and share humanity’s stories in order to build connections between people and create a more just and compas-
sionate world.” Sponsored by Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., “Yours, Truly” invites people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners to record interviews about their lives and preserve their story in StoryCorps’ national archive. Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can vary, with people experiencing both motor symptoms (such as slowness of movement, resting tremors, limb stiffness and trouble with balance) and non-motor symptoms (such as constipation, impaired bladder control, anxiety and depression, loss of mental sharpness/ acuity, hallucinations and delusions). When people living with
Obituaries NORMAN DIXON SR.
Deadline for Obituaries is Monday by 10AM
Norman Dixon Sr. died Dec. 6, 2021. He was 75. Born in Kearny, he was a lifelong North Arlington resident. Memorial visiting will take place Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021
from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. Norman served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He worked for several airlines, retiring from United Airlines after 26 years of service. Husband of Margaret
(nee Kavanagh), he was the father of Norman Dixon Jr. and Michele Dixon. Brother of Charles Dixon (Claire) and Carol Dixon, he is also survived by his granddaughters Olivia and Harlynn along with his two pals Bella and Roxy.
Mulligan Funeral Home 331 Cleveland Avenue, Harrison
Arrangements may be made in Spanish, Portuguese or Polish
Parkinson’s disease experience hallucinations and/or delusions related to their condition, it is known as Parkinson’s disease psychosis. A hallucination is a perception-like experience that occurs without an external stimulus and is seen, heard, felt, tasted or smelled. A delusion is a false, fixed belief despite evidence to the contrary. To share or view a story, access educational resources in English or Spanish, or to find out where you can visit the StoryCorps airstream, visit www. YoursTrulyPDP.com. Already, several Parkinson’s families have shared their stories and added their voices to StoryCorps’ national archive.
All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.
In lieu of flowers, kindly garysinisefoundation.org or consider a donation to the the Bergen County Animal Gary Sinise Foundation www. Shelter.
Shaw-Buyus Home for Services
Mario Teixeria, IV, Manager, NJ Lic. #3757
Mario Teixeira, Jr. Director, NJ Lic. #2542 • Monique Teixeira, Director, NJ Lic. #4048 Newly renovated family owned and operated funeral home with multiple locations. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. Handicapped Accessible.
138 DAVIS AVE. • KEARNY, NJ 07032
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Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221
Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North
973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com
Ken Davie “Your Family’s Lawyer” • Family and Municipal Courts • Home and Business Sales & Buys • Wills and Estates • Criminal and Civil Courts
Experience • Compassion • Results
CIFELLi & DAVIE
334 Harrison Ave. • Harrison, NJ (973) 482-1180 or (800) 303-7716 Fax (973) 482-0223 kdavieesq@gmail.com
WILFRED ARMITAGE & WIGGINS FUNERAL HOME Mark G. Wiggins, Manager N.J. Lic. #3916
You will feel as if friends of family have taken over when you entrust funeral arrangements to the Wilfred Armitage Funeral Home. The family-owned firm has been in business for 100 years, serving generations in West Hudson and South Bergen. Its beautiful facilities, in a setting reminiscent of a colonial mansion, reflect the graciousness and tact of its understanding personnel.
Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home
596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657