Go Ask Alice!

I recently blogged about Dr. Maria De Leon (M.D.), a neurologist who specialized in Parkinson’s and then came down with Parkinson’s herself.  Admirably, she still advocates on PD issues and can speak “from both sides.”

Today I read a similar story:  Dr. Alice Lazzarini (Ph.D.) was a trailblazing investigator in the role genetics can play in PD — she conducted key research that unlocked the door to a wider understanding of Parkinson’s etiology.  Then she developed PD herself.  She recently authored a book, Both Sides Now:  A Journey From Researcher to Patient, that details her contributions to science and her life before and after she got PD.

Hop over to Alice’s website to read more about her amazing story, or click here to buy the book on Amazon.  (Note:  Amazon offers lots of free “look inside!” pages, and if you scroll to page 103, you’ll see that Alice looks like Princess Diana.)

Rutgers Magazine just published an inspiring review of Alice’s life and work.  The paragraph that most stood out for me is the following (bolding mine):

Lazzarini has a tremor-dominant form of Parkinson’s. Her tremor is noticeable but her balance and cognition are less affected. Her medication helps control her symptoms, and she maintains an aggressive and regular exercise regime, which, research has proven, staves off symptoms of Parkinson’s. Lazzarini lives a rich, active life of traveling, writing, exercising, and advocating for others. “I won’t let Parkinson’s keep me from doing anything I want to do,” she says.

Got questions?  About, say, the two birds on her book cover?  Go ask Alice!