INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — When former DuPont Executive and SealdSweet CEO Bruce McEvoy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five years ago, he was shocked and suddenly unsure of his future. However, as the newly elected President of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County, McEvoy is now working to help others in our community affected by memory and movement disorders, despite the afflictions of his own disease.
Since receiving the unfortunate news of his diagnosis at the Mayo Clinic, McEvoy has worked tirelessly as a voice for awareness and research of Parkinson’s. Through his association with the Parkinson’s Action Network, the advocacy arm of organizations such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation, National Parkinson Foundation, and Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, McEvoy directs the unified voice of these groups toward Capitol Hill.
McEvoy meets regularly with lawmakers to discuss the need for more research and funding, including local congressman Bill Posey; whose own father passed away with Parkinson’s.
McEvoy recounted one meeting in particular, “We were in a room full of people as Bill told the story of his father’s last days suffering from the disease. You could hear a pin drop.” Bruce understands the advantage of increasing support on a national level with those in Congress who fully understand the cause and have experienced the disease on a personal level.
However, Bruce became aware of a local source for Parkinson’s support through his attendance at the Trembleclefs Program held at the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association’s center in Vero Beach. Loss of voice is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. In the tongue-in-cheek named group sessions, voices of Parkinson patients are strengthened through vocal exercises and singing along with program leader and musician, Jimmy Driskell on the piano.
McEvoy described the experience as uplifting. “Although we didn’t sound like a choir, it was great fun and we were able to forget about our disease for an hour or so.” It was from his participation in the class and the staff’s knowledge of his professional background that McEvoy was urged to become a member of the Board.
The APA exists to promote the highest quality of life for caregivers, families, and those affected by memory and movement disorders. The staff and volunteers accomplish this mission through advocacy, education, empowerment, support, and research connections.
Now as President, McEvoy plans to guide the organization in taking an increased role in strategic awareness. The APA receives no federal or state funding and is completely supported by private donations and local foundations.
As McEvoy observes, “People are generally very generous, once they are aware of the problem.” When asked his view on the positive effect of the education and support programs the APA provides, McEvoy stated, “It’s all about providing a decent quality of life while we are here. People just need a little better guidance.”
The Alzheimer and Parkinson Association Memory and Motion Center is located to 2300 Fifth Avenue Suite 150 in Vero Beach. To find out more, call 772 563 0505 or email info@alzpark.org.
