MediciGlobal

After reading the MSNBC article Former Sen. Pell, creator of Pell Grants, dies I found myself moved by the story of such a determined individual who contributed so much to the welfare of others.

Former Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell died Thursday at the age of 90, after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for nearly 15 years. The state of Rhode Island and the American population are better people for having had Pell serve in the United States Senate for 36 years. During his lifetime Pell accomplished more than most dream of.

He is most notably known for his passion and dedication to education. In 1972 Pell’s legislation was passed, and the Basic Educational Opportunity Grants (BEOG) became a staple in lower and middle class families with college bound children. BEOG also known as Pell Grants provided direct aid to more than 54 million college students.

Pell retired the year following his Parkinson’s diagnosis, but upheld that his disease had nothing to do with his retiring from the Senate. Many people are aware that Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder that affects one’s central nervous system and often impairs their motor skills, speech, and other functions. Yet, there is a side to Parkinson’s disease that so many are unaware of.

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, sufferers may experience mental and/or cognitive changes. As well as falsely accusing others, having irrational thoughts and distorted beliefs. Claiborne Pell did not have Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis but 40 percent of Parkinson’s sufferer’s will.

Many patients, families, friends and even doctors are unaware of Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis which often has devastating non-physical symptoms. Sufferers may experience hallucinations, delusions or illusions – making them see and/or hear things that are not really there.

MediciGlobal recently conducted an interview with Carol McLain, a registered nurse and caregiver for her late husband who suffered from Parkinson’s disease. In this interview Carol expressed that she had never been told about Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis. She continued to say that “as a registered nurse, I was prepared for the physical problems with my husband’s Parkinson’s disease but, despite my job as a RN, I was totally unprepared for the psychiatric issues”.

Currently there are no FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis and the symptoms that accompany it. However, there is a clinical trial currently accepting these unique Parkinson’s Disease patients who are experiencing symptoms related to Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis. To learn more about this clinical research study visit: http://www.ParkinsonsMindStudy.com .