Not alone with Parkinson's anymore

By Marilyn Rosenthal
MILFORD — When Marcia Guberman was diagnosed with Parkinson's three years ago, she didn't know anyone with this progressive nervous system disorder that affects the way people move, speak, write and think. She felt apprehensive and very much alone. No services in the area dealt with this crippling disease.
Not one to sit around and obsess, Guberman set out to learn all she could about the disease. She went to a seminar in the Berkshires sponsored by the National Parkinson's Foundation and learned from doctors, nutritionists, and psychologists who deal with the disease and — lo and behold — she met a couple from nearby Lake Ariel, Pa.
Suddenly, she wasn't alone anymore.
Guberman drew upon her organizing and leadership skills to raise money and awareness of Parkinson's in Pike County. She had been a commercial loan officer, and a president or vice president of many volunteer organizations. She owned her own business for 15 years in New Jersey and was active in the NJ Association of Women Business Owners.
She started the Pocono Foxtrot 5K for Parkinson's Research with co-chair Rolland Grote. Grote, who has Parkinson's, and his wife were the Lake Ariel couple Guberman met in the Berkshires. And with the help of her husband, Erwin Guberman, and others like volunteer Cindy Stine, whose husband has Parkinson's, they launched the first event three years ago.
The Pocono Foxtrot 5K for Parkinson's Research, held on June 17 at the Ann St. Park in Milford, surpassed all expectations. More than 300 people attended, and the organizers exceeded their goal of raising $35,000 to actually raise more than $40,000. All proceeds will benefit the Michael J. Fox organization for Parkinson's research, as well as providing a Resource Fair to inform those living with Parkinson's and their care-partners.
There were runners who ran for the cause in the 5K, and there were walkers, many with the disease, who opted for the one-mile walk around Milford. Carlos Berrios of Milford was one of those. He has had Parkinson's for five years, and as he finished the walk with his support team, the look of pride on his face was priceless.
There was tremendous local support for this event. Sponsors at the Platinum Level ($1,000) included Leeward Construction (Pike and Wayne Counties), Pike County Real Estate, and Comprehensive Physical Therapy in Hawley. Other supporters were the Milford All Volunteer Fire Department whose Davy Ruby and Mike Bello cooked hundreds of burgers on a large outdoor grill provided by Prime Time.
Cindy Stine and Alexa Merbler organized the food and drinks, which were provided free for the participants. Many other local organizations also contributed.
There was a great sense of satisfaction on the part of the runners, the walkers, and their care- partners. The one commodity which was evident in great abundance was love.