Mission Statement
Our mission is to establish the optimal quality of life for the Northeast Ohio community by providing support, information, and advocacy to improve the lives of those with young onset Parkinson’s and those who care about them. We achieve our mission through public awareness, education, advocacy and supporting research until a cure is found. Our goal is to help you be informed, live well and stay strong.
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement. Symptoms may include slowness, rigidity, tremor, and problems with balance and posture. The symptoms of Parkinson's result from the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, but the cause of cell loss is not known. Medications and surgical treatments can relieve symptoms but do not cure the disease. More than a million people in the United States have Parkinson's disease.
There are several excellent websites that provide information about Parkinson's disease and its treatment. See some of our favorites under resources.
What is “young onset?”
The average age at which Parkinson’s is diagnosed is 60. However, about 10-20% of those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease are under age 50, and about half of those are diagnosed before age 40. When the diagnosis is made early, it is referred to as "young onset" Parkinson's disease. So young onsets face different challenges than those diagnosed in their 60s and 70s.