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April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month, so in keeping with our tradition, we are joined by two return guests this morning to discuss what’s happening in Atlanta to raise awareness, raise funds, search for a cure, and support  families struggling with the disease.  In particular, don’t miss the APDA’s annual golf tournament being held on April 28 at the Smokerise Country Club in Stone Mountain.  There are still spaces for both players and sponsors!

Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Lynn Ross attended Auburn University, earning a degree in interior design.  After getting married, Lynn moved to Valdosta with her husband.  There she found a job as the Activities Director for a skilled nursing facility, and absolutely loved it.

Finding she had a knack for working with seniors, she decided to enroll in Valdosta State University’s new Masters program in Social Work.  In 2001 she was part of the second graduating class, with only 30 other students!  A year later, in 2002, Lynn moved to Atlanta, and continued to work as an Activities Director at an assisted living facility.  This work led her to a position as a geriatric social worker for an elder law attorney.  Six years ago, today, Lynn became the first social worker in Emory University’s Department of Neurology Movement Disorders Program.

Lynn is very passionate about her work with Movement Disorders.  Though her work covers seven different movement disorders, Parkinson’s Disease is the most common.  To that end, Lynn is also the coordinator for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association’s information and referral center.  To find out more about the Movement Disorder Program at Emory University’s Neurology Department, or to reach Lynn directly, call her at 404-728-6300, or call the Parkinon’s Resource Hotline at (404) 728-6552.

Eric Burkard is a life insurance agent who specializes in long-term care funding solutions.  He has helped hundreds of individuals look forward to retirement without jeopardizing their financial security or having to be a burden to their families due to unexpected events affecting life and long-term health.  Eric earned his Bachelors degree in Psychology from the SUNY at Buffalo, and his Masters degree in International Management from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.  Eric lived in Venezuela for many years and is fully fluent in Spanish.

One of Eric’s passions is raising awareness and funds for research and family resources for those individuals and their families suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.  To that end, Eric is the Georgia Chapter President of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).  In addition to the upcoming golf tournatment, The Georgia Chapter of the APDA wants you to put October 11 on your calendar for their fabulous Skyline Gala, to be held again at the Nelson Mullins Skydeck at Atlantic Station.  For more information about both events, go to www.apdageorgia.org, or call Eric directly at (770) 777-5988.  Eric can also be reached via email at eburkard@earthlink.net, or visit his website at www.burkardinsurance.com.

We want to thank Griswold Home Care for sponsoring today’s show.  Griswold Home Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Atlanta for more than 20 years.