We are honored to welcome as our guest speaker this month Amelia Faraco-Hadlock, Deputy Legislative Director for Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (representing Virginia’s 10th Congressional District). Amelia handles the Congresswoman’s Health portfolio and has been working very closely with Congresswoman Wexton on the bipartisan National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act. She is scheduled for the first 30 minutes of our meeting, beginning promptly at 1:00 pm.
Amelia will talk with us about the specifics of the Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives in December 2023, and how it will benefit people with Parkinson’s and atypical diseases such as PSP. There will be time for some questions. A few we have already sent her: How can we as individuals with Parkinson’s best voice our concerns to Congress? How do we improve Medicare drug coverage which does not include or pay for some of the more expensive Parkinson’s medications?
We originally invited Rep Wexton, who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, to speak at one of our meetings. She agreed, but as time passed from our initial invitation (a year ago) to coordinating an available date on our meeting schedule, Rep. Wexton’s diagnosis was changed this past summer from Parkinson’s to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Her speech has been primarily affected, making her difficult to understand. Personally I find Rep. Wexton’s strength and courage in so openly and honestly sharing her diagnoses (especially in the public eye) most admirable. She has been a voice and a fighter for people with Parkinson’s, working diligently to get The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act passed through the House of Representatives.
Following Amelia’s talk, we will have Just-Us/Share Time and an open discussion about our support group experiences, needs, ideas, and suggestions moving forward.
- Date: Wednesday, May 1
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
- Place: Via ZOOM (link will be sent out the day before the meeting)
- Speaker: Amelia Faraco-Hadlock, Deputy Legislative Director for Rep. Jennifer Wexton
- Topic: The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act
Followed by: Just-Us Share Time – Your Support Group Experience
Zoom link will be sent out the day before the meeting. Please plan to sign on from a quiet area of your home to preserve the group’s confidentiality. You may sign in 10-15 minutes early if you wish. We welcome you to join us even if you are running late. We get it if you are having a slower day!
If you do not receive the Zoom link by 5:00 the day before, please contact me no later than 10:00 a.m. the day of the meeting to be sure I see it in time to get you the link.