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PLWP New Team Directors |
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Hello! Some of you may know me already as 'Bennett' from the MGH forums, but my full name is Beth Bennett. I was born and raised right here in beautiful upstate New York, have been married to my high school sweetheart for nearly twenty three years now and we share two great sons now 21 and almost 18! Up until the year 1998 my life was going just where I wanted it to and I was really beginning to believe that I was finally on my way as a small business owner and self-employed professional photographer. Over the years I had my share of health issues, much like anyone my age but then something new appeared, a tremor, not a good thing for a photographer! By January 1999 I had sought out medical attention for the ever increasing tremor in my head/neck/jaw area and i had also conducted my own research through the internet, which subsequently led me to the forums at MGH.
As time went on, and symptoms and meds increased despite my lack of a firm diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, I have grown to become an active member of PLWP in an effort to not only remain positive about my own situation and whatever it's eventual outcome will bring, but to help others in whatever way I possibly can to live well with Parkinson's, MSA, PSP or any neurological disorder! I have found PLWP to be the best vehicle for me to do just that, and I look forward to becoming increasingly involved in working together with all of you in support of the goals PLWP seeks to achieve. It has therefore been my extreme honor to accept the position of Secretary for PLWP, albeit under sad circumstances. Tim Foley, you have set a fine course for me to follow and I pray that I'm able to day by day make you all proud to have me as your fellow PLWP member!
Greg Wasson - PLWP Advocacy Director
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· Raised in North Bay town of Vallejo, California, where father was employed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard
· Graduated Vallejo High School in 1970
· Graduated from University of California at Berkeley, cum laude, 1974 majoring in U.S. history
· Tax Auditor and Taxpayer Service Representative with IRS - 1974 to 1980
· Graduated University of California Hastings College of the Law 1983 (member: Order of the Coif, Thurston Society)
· 1981 to 1984: Law Clerk and Attorney for Lynch, Loofbourow, Helminstine, Gilardi and Grummer (insurance defense litigation)
· 1984 to 1988: Corporate Counsel to Industrial Indemnity Co.
· 1988 to 2000: Senior Attorney Editor -- Westgroup Law Publishers; retired on disability Jan 2000
Parkinson’s Disease and Advocacy History
· 1995 - diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
· January 2000 - left employment due to disability caused by Parkinson's disease
· 1998 - organized local Parkinson’s support group in Oakland CA - still attends
· Active member of Massachusetts General Hospital Neurological Web Forum (Braintalk Communities) since 1998
· Began volunteer work with Parkinson's Action Network in 1999
· Participant in clinical studies at Parkinson’s Institute, Palo Alto, and UCSF, San Francisco
· Spring 2000 - Began consulting with Michael J. Fox concerning Foundation Website; contributed several essays to "Living With Parkinson’s" section. Occasional consultant to MJFF concerning website content and structure. Recently co-wrote FAQ section for Newly Diagnosed and Caregivers for new MJF website with partner Ann Campbell.
· Attended 2000 PAN/MJFF Public Policy Forum
· Fall 2000 - Joined People Living With Parkinson’s, Inc - Currently Leader of Advocacy Team
· February 2001 - Authored and promoted online Stem Cell Petition to President Bush which was personally delivered in hard copy with comments by signatories to Mary K. Mantho, Chief Policy advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. Petition gained over 20,000 signatures.
· April 2001 - Keynote Speaker (with Ann Campbell) at annual symposium sponsored by Hawaii Parkinson’s Association.
· 2001-2002 - Worked with PAN to develop e-based Grassroots Advocacy Network. Currently State Coordinator for No. California of Grassroots Advocacy Network