Dystonia Support Group

Dystonia Support Group - Alabama Contact Support@Dystonia-Alabama.org

UPCOMING EVENTS The information contained in this site is for education and information purposes only. DSG-Alabama does not endorse or recommend in any way the information contained in this website. Links are provided for convenience. DSG-Alabama does not maintain links outside of this website. Copyright 2007-2011, Dystonia Support Group (DSG) - Alabama. Trisha Crain, Webmaster.		Upcoming Events - Birmingham Group Check out our Member Activities on our Awareness Page to see what all we're doing to promote awareness of Dystonia! Check out the Southeast Alabama Group's Upcoming Events here. Next Meeting: SATURDAY - 10:00 AM - May 21, 2011 Lakeshore Location PROGRAM: Dystonia Research Update by: Dr. Guy Caldwell - Univ of AL Tuscaloosa Dr. Kim Caldwell - Univ of AL Tuscaloosa We will also meet and hear from our 2 Alabama Dystonia Scholars whom individuals within DSGA fund summer stipends & lab expenses to continue their lab work full-time during summer break. Those who've heard Dr's Guy & Kim Caldwell before know we're in for an interesting & informative presentation.......the "PLUS" is being able to meet and hear from the 2 gifted undergraduates who qualify as recipients of the Alabama Dystonia Scholars award & scholarship. PLEASE R.S.V.P. TO Klwmgw216@aol.com yay or nay Refreshments will be served as usual, albeit I haven't yet solicited anyone to provide them. NEWSFRONT: I have a post-DYSTONIA SYMPOSIUM meeting with Tom Brannan & Kate Tully who were so instrumental in helping pull of a very successful 1/2 day DYSTONIA SYMPOSIUM at UAB on April 8th. Those who missed this event which drew a capacity audience missed a great meeting. Anytime one can "corral" the director of UAB's Movement Disorder Center and 3 of his neurologist doctors & researchers for some 4 hours of presentation, questions & answers, it's a unique & enlightening experience. Former Atty General Janet Reno, who has Parkinson's, also has a brother with the movement disorder and a sister who has Essential Tremor. The joke of the family is "Sometimes we all shake in unison!" BUT --- she's been instrumental in the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL in opening a new Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration on the main campus. Dr. Yuqing LI, who spoke to DSGA some time ago when he was doing Dystonia research at UAB was recruited to direct research at the new facility. Yea.......another patient "with clout" like Michael J. Fox.....strikes again with a big, big funding gift from a variety of sources, including NIH. Except don't applaud just yet....the Bad News is that NIH has cut funding at UAB and other centers by 6.5%. That's a lot of "bucks" that have to be raised by private grants, foundations and other donors. Dr. David G. Standaert, head of the UAB CNET center, is seeking to recruit a doctorate to work solely on Dystonia Research. Hint - That's one purpose of my meeting this week with Tom Brannan & Kate Tully who work for Dr. Standaert. Reminder - There's no DSGA meeting in June which is always combined with July as a Summer Social which will be held on Saturday, July 16th. QUOTE: Being successful requires top-tier doctors and interdisciplinary teams to offer care, patients who inform research, scientists who earn federal grants to translate research into medical applications, and people with expertise in designing clinical trials that earn FDA approvals!!!!! IT HAS TO BE A TEAM EFFORT. Are you part of the "team" or just a spectator??? Ken Williams, Volunteer Director Dystonia Support Group of Alabama Chpr of DMRF Newsletters from Previous Meetings are on the Newsletter page. Meeting Basics.... Regular meetings on a monthly basis are an essential part of offering HOPE and HELP to our membership. DSG-Birmingham will meet the third Saturday of every month at 10:00 a.m. in space provided by HealthSouth/Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital located at 3800 Ridgeway Drive (just off Lakeshore Drive), Birmingham, AL 35209. Directions Link to a map to HealthSouth/Lakeshore by clicking below: Map of 3800 Ridgeway Dr Birmingham, AL 35209-5506 For driving directions, click below: Directions to 3800 Ridgeway Dr Birmingham, AL 35209-5506 Click here for DSG-Alabama's year-end report for 2008. Click here for DSG-Alabama's distribution of funds for 2006.