Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year. During the month of April, awareness is brought to the disease that has impacted the lives of more than 10 million people around the world.

“This is Parkinson's awareness month, the month of April,” said Judy Heath, the facilitator for the Kinston Parkinson’s Support Group. “We have a speaker today from Duke that’s talking to us about deep brain stimulation and other Parkinson's information.”

The group meets at the Airy Grove Christian Church every third Wednesday of the month at 2pm.

“We saw a need for Parkinson’s, which is just as much in need as cancer victims,” said Ronnie Lee, a member of Gray Branch Free Will Baptist (FWB) Church.

The Gray Branch FWB Church donates approximately $1000 a year in addition to what individual members donate for Parkinson’s.

“We’re here because Ron was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a year or so ago,” said Bett Rouse, a participant of the support group. “We’re just trying to get information and do the best we can to take care of each other.”

The participants of the support group are grateful for the speakers and the information provided to them.

“It’s very effective,” said Ron Rouse, Bett’s husband. “You see and learn a lot of things that you wouldn’t normally get. The church has done a great job of supporting this group.”

According to the Parkinson Foundation, Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. The brain disorder leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

“I would encourage anyone that has Parkinson's or has just learned about it to come,” said Ron Rouse.