Parkinson's disease may have received extra attention last week during a Capitol Hill hearing last week, but you have been able to find resources on how to cope with the ailment locally for over 20 years. During his testimony regarding Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) fraud, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre revealed that he had been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, joining Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox, and George H.W. Bush as some of the more notable names to have suffered from the disorder. Parkinson's disease is a chronic brain disorder that causes movement problems, mental health issues, and other health concerns. Age, family, environmental exposure, and head trauma are some of the most common risk factors of the disease. Locally, Carol Moellenberndt has conducted the Parkinson's Disease Support Group out of the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church for two decades. She has found it rewarding to work with individuals and families affected by Parkinson's disease to let them know that they are not alone.

The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. at the Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church. Retired Nurse Practitioner Dacy Reimer will give a special presentation during the meeting this Wednesday.