An interview with Karen Applebaum: Accidental Advocate
Biography
I am currently 48 years old, living in Lambertville NJ, with my wife of 17 years Melissa and our rescue dog Athena. I have been a middle school history teacher for the past 26 years in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 8 years ago.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I have been in New Jersey my entire life. I am the only daughter of my parents, Arnold and Helen. I am first generation born in the United States on my mother’s side; my grandparents are Holocaust survivors. My grandmother is still alive at 96 years old. My mother passed away when I was 18 years old, and a freshman at the College of New Jersey. My father passed away in 2014.
Can you tell me more about your Advocacy?
I primarily run local events to raise awareness and funding for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. As a person living with YOPD, I am in a unique position to speak about my life and the challenges that I have daily. Also giving a face to the disease has helped me to raise almost $100,000 in the last three summers.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
I started accidentally one morning when I woke up and signed up for a 50-mile Michael J. Fox summer challenge. I went back to sleep after that and by the time I woke up, I had already made my $200 goal. That summer I raised $12,500, the most anyone had ever raised on Facebook for MJFF.
What type of goals does individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
I do not have anyone else with Parkinson’s working with me. I rely on local business and donors to fundraise for research.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
My programs do not include training. I have literature at every program about Parkinson’s, I have had a representative from Boston Scientific answering questions about DBS, but the main focus is to raise money for MJFF.
What effect can your Advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
By helping fund research for a cure and therapies to help people with Parkinson’s.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Advocacy?
Continue to surpass my fundraising goals every year, and bring awareness to Parkinson’s Disease and those of us living with it.
What events do you participate in?
Primarily I work with MJFF.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
MJFF also gives help to caregivers with webinars and other supports.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
Social media: on Instagram and Facebook it’s Rivers of Hope. I have an MJFF Fundraising page.
@riversofhope_mjf on Instagram and Rivers of Hope on Facebook
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Log onto the MJFF website and get information about the disease and other activities they can get involved with. I am somewhat of a one woman show. I have been at this for three years, and since most of my work is in the summer when I am not working, I take on the work myself.
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
For people with Parkinson’s talking to people that do not have the disease. Explaining what it is all about and increasing awareness whenever possible.
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
Continually talking to people and encouraging friends to tell others about you. Don’t hide in a closet if you have Parkinson’s people are more accepting than you think and are more generous than you could ever know.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
I have a PT that I work with virtually for exercise and mobility. I watch what I eat and take care of myself in general. I also keep myself moving and social.
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
Because it is one of the fastest growing neurological diseases in the world, and there is no cause for most of us. My MDS says that I have it because of a “short straw”
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
No
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow by Fleetwood Mac
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
Parkinson’s is unpredictable, there are great days and terrible days, the only control we have is how we react to both the good and the bad days. Celebrate the good, and push through the bad, doing both of these will make you stronger in so many ways.
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TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure. Sharon’s Son, George
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