Thank you to all the awareness warriors who organized local events last month or participated in a Dystonia Zoo Day this year. Each September, National Dystonia Awareness Month brings us a unique opportunity to focus our efforts to help others understand what dystonia is and how it changes lives.
DMRF would like to thank the following dystonia advocates who organized events from coast to coast:
- 7th Portland Dystonia Zoo Day (July 27) co-hosted by Dee Linde, Judith Mason, Erinn Stimson and Tina Beattie.
- 2nd Lansing Dystonia Zoo Day (Aug. 10) co-hosted by Barry Casler, Kim Robinson, Lisa Breedveld, Bill Aemisegger, and Jules Watkins.
- 3rd Boston Dystonia Zoo Day (Aug. 25) co-hosted by Paula Schneider, David Bernstein, and Mary Letson.
- 9th Pittsburgh Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 8) co-hosted by Ed Cwalinski, MaryRae Nee, Jillian Johnson, Chris and Tara Sorley.
- 1st DMV (Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia metro area) Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 14) hosted by Steve Swarr.
- 2nd Indianapolis Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 14) co-hosted by Sarah and Sally Ernstberger and Sunshine Fox.
- 2nd Long Island Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 14) hosted by Linda Davis.
- 7th Twin Cities Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 21) hosted by Lisbeth Overton and Cathy Theisen.
- Angels Walk in Middlesex County, NJ (Sept. 21) hosted by Melissa and Michael Caravello.
- Dystonia Warrior Ride in Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin (Sept. 21) co-hosted by Tracey Deyoung, Victoria Katz, and Cary Lupo-Weigert.
- 2nd Fort Wayne Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 28) hosted by MacKenzie Prater.
- 4th Toledo Dystonia Zoo Day (Sept. 28) hosted by Kristin Cinglie.
A full write-up on this year’s awareness events—plus photos—will be included in the Winter 2024 edition of Dystonia Dialogue, to be released Nov. 4.