I'm hoping my credibility here after a couple years of posting occasional diaries is sufficient that I might be able to draw your attention to my efforts to help fund research into finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.
I've written a book about my experience called "No Doorway Wide Enough." It's about my decade with PD, from my diagnosis at age 45 in 2000, to volunteering for experimental brain surgery in 2007, to the mixed results I'm experiencing today.
This book is available in all price ranges, from FREE to $45 for the deluxe hardcover edition. Every nickel I get for author proceeds will go to the National Parkinson Foundation and the Charles DBS Research Fund at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
I've been working for months to promote this book, spending my own money on press releases and websites -- and the results have been dismal. So, I come to the dKos community with my hat in my hand and am asking for your help.
The National Parkinson Foundation does incredible work and research into this disease that affects over a million Americans (and if this is a typical year, 50,000 more of you will get the diagnosis sometime this year). They are the folks who diagnosed me in 2000 when other doctors said I was "too young" to have PD.
Dr. P. David Charles, a neurologist, and Dr. Peter Konrad, a neurosurgeon, are the groundbreaking scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who performed my deep brain stimulation surgery in 2007 as part of a Phase I clinical trial looking into the safety and tolerability of DBS in earlier stages of PD. They took 30 volunteers (yours truly included), randomized us to a surgical group and a control group, and have been monitoring our progress for the past three years.
As they approach the end of the Phase I study, they're looking to expand into a nationwide, multi-center trial that will involve hundreds, if not thousands, of younger folks with PD. If this trial bears fruit, this surgery could be offered to "Parkies" BEFORE they become levodopa-resistant... at which time the worst damage has been done.
They need funding. And I feel moved to help. I hope you will as well.
"No Doorway Wide Enough" is available as everything from an audiobook, to e-books in any format, to Amazon Kindle, to paperbacks, to hardcover. I have just posted all 17 episodes of the audiobook version on my website. I invite you to come by, have a listen.
As one reviewer wrote...
As we stumble through life trying to learn what is important and what isn’t, No Doorway acts as a guidebook on how to handle life-changing, insurmountable problems. Its answer- humor. Parky Bill meanders through a decade-long tale about his experiences before and after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. What I found amazing about the book is that Parky Bill maintains a sense lightness and humor even during the most frightening, and life-threatening events. Doing so, Parky Bill narrates his tale with a voice of strength, courage, and sageness. Doorway is a book where readers will make a lot of connections, and believe it or not- find a lot of answers. Thanks Bill.
Another review of the audiobook...
Let me start off by saying that I heartily recommend this podiobook. Admittedly, a life-altering disease like Parkinson’s is not something that one would envision as light and cheerful subject matter for a podcast book, and it was thus with some trepidation that I started listening to the first episode of "No Doorway Wide Enough". Imagine my surprise at finding myself not only intrigued by, but drawn ever more strongly into, the thread of the ongoing tale of this man’s personal struggle. Even while painting a vivid picture of the advance of Parkinson’s Disease and its effect on his life and future, Bill Schmalfeldt succeeds in keeping the subject light, cheerful, informational, humorous, even inspirational. Needless to say, I very much respect Mr. Schmalfeldt for his resolve and inner strength, not only for bearing up under what must feel like a personal ‘Calvary’, but for caring enough to share this with the world. Give it a listen.
And one more, if I may... a short one.
This is a must-have podiobook. A brilliantly irreverent, and sometimes laugh-out-loud tale (about a serious subject) told by one of the most charming and amusing authors to hit this site. Plus, he’s got great pipes and a love for old time radio schtick. What’s not to like? I look forward to further episodes of this fascinating and well-told story.
The audiobook is free. Come and get it. And if you like what you hear, maybe you will consider purchasing a copy in print. If you don't like it, well, thanks for listening.
Imagine how good you'll feel if the day comes where our efforts result in a cure for this disease which is currently robbing me of my mobility, my cognitive skills, and my life -- bit by bit.
Thanks for your consideration.
Carry on. :)