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This month, we feature two CAP Members, Sarah Diaz and Peter Northrop.

Peter and Sarah have important events coming up in April, which is Parkinson’s Awareness Month.  Saturday, April 21st is the 1st CAP Bilingual Orientation, hosted by Sarah/CAP; and Saturday, April 28th is the Unity Walk, and the CAP team is led by Peter.


Sarah Diaz

Sarah Diaz - Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson's“Parkinson’s Disease is not just an old-Caucasian-male disease.” 

Sarah Diaz is telling us something that we should all recognize – and that she’s trying to raise awareness about.  But more on that in a minute.

In April 2010, at 49 years old, Sarah Diaz received the shock of her young life: she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  “Why me?” she wondered.  She says she was initially “mad at God,” but is quick to point out: “but I didn’t lose my faith.”  “I initially was going through a lot of emotions, and actually kept the diagnosis to myself for a couple of weeks.  And then, it took me four years to join a support group, as I originally thought “support” was for addictions, and didn’t know it was for people with PD.”

After joining a support group – at the behest of CAP co-founder Steve DeWitte – Sarah found likeminded folks who were also struggling.  One thing she didn’t find, however: non-Caucasian members! It got her to thinking  - and praying - about that topic.

Sarah says, after much prayer, she realized her purpose: to help those underserved populations – (read, Latino’s and African Americans that have PD) -  to find support – and hope.  “I want (these groups) to know we’re here to guide them and support them.  My purpose in life now is to bring awareness to people of these populations about PD.”

To that end, On April 21st, Sarah and CAP are sponsoring CAP’s 1st Bilingual Orientation, and Information Session for People with Parkinson’s Disease, being held from 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Silas Bronson Library in Waterbury. Dr. Maria L. Deleon, Movement Disorder Neurologist, and Naida Rodriguez-Rosado, CEO and Founder of the FFXP, will be the guest speakers. RSVP to Sarah Diaz by April 7th at 203-568-4734 or sarahdiaz50@comcast.net.

To Sarah, we say, “thank-you,” on behalf of CAP, and of those underserved groups. 


Peter Northrop

Peter Northrop - Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson'sCAP's very own Peter Northrop (A.K.A, DJ Pete) can be heard locally every Tuesday at noon eastern time on radioparkies.com!

DJ Pete has been one of the top personalities for radioparkies.com. With over 120 live shows broadcast, which included interviews with guests like Linda Ronstadt (11 time Grammy winner and Parkinson's fighter), Dr. Stanley Fahn (world renown Parkinson's researcher),  Robin Elliott (former president of PDF), Eli Pollard (Executive Director of WPC), Carol Walton (CEO of Parkinson's Alliance) and Steven DeWitte, RNG.

Radioparkies.com is the URL address for this internet radio station and is the only radio station in the world that is staffed and operated entirely by PWP's. With 25 DJ's across four continents, they broadcast directly from their homes to the world. The motto at Radioparkies.com is, "Let Your Voice Be Heard."  Since Peter is a member of CAP, CAP members have access to a truly unique communication medium. Please let the world hear you and email DJ Pete at djpete.radioparkies@gmail.com to set up an interview.

In addition to being a part of radioparkies.com, Peter Northrop has been the leader of the CAP Unity Walk Team for ten years and has raised over $10,000, in that time.

This year, the 24th Parkinson's Unity Walk will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 (rain or shine).  Join thousands of members of the Parkinson’s community walking together in New York’s Central Park to raise funds and awareness for research.

Please register for your Support group. Just because you register and hopefully make a small donation doesn't mean you're obligated to walk. You'll be adding to CAP's voice at this world recognized Parkinson's event. Please register at: CLICK HERE

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