MU Parkinson’s conference helps people find support

Hundreds of people with ties to Parkinson’s disease attended a conference Saturday to learn more about it.

MU Health hosts the conference in Columbia. It’s been happening for the past 19 years.

People were able to talk with experts and each other about their struggles and how they overcome certain obstacles after their diagnosis.

One part of the conference pushed support groups.

Experts said support groups can help people with the disease find a family to lean on.

Patsy Dalton’s husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 21 years ago. Dalton became a support group facilitator because she feels it has helped her grow closer to a bigger community.

“When you share with each other you find that you can cope a lot better,” said Dalton. “You aren’t feeling that isolation, you aren’t feeling that depression and those are things that are actually medically helpful by coming to a support group.”

There are support groups in Columbia as well as Osage Beach and Jefferson City.