Stem Cell Ban Lift Renews Hope For Disease-Ridden

Jo and Alan Rosen had 18 wonderful years of marriage.

Shortly after getting married, Alan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive and debilitating neurological disorder.

Jo says in a short time, A vibrant strong architect went from living a full life to struggling with even some of the things that used to come easy to him like drawing.

For years, Jo says she prayed for a cure and saw a promise of one with research on embryonic stem cells.But the light of that promise dimmed with the controversy surrounding the research on the cells derived from human embryos.

That’s changed now, thanks to President Obama.

She believes the President lifting of the federal ban on funding for embryonic stem cell research means a cure for Parkinson’s could possibly be around the corner, and, if not, at least, she says, it gives her and many others hope.

“In the Parkinson’s world, we have good feeling people. We are on our way again. I promote thatbecause that’s good health.

“Take responsibility though and do the work and make sure that this time we have the opportunity we have to research”

It’s been two years since Alan passed away.Between that time and now, Jo has helped people living with the disease along with their caregivers as the head of the Parkinson’s Resource Organization in Palm Desert.

Jo wishes he could have been here for this day, too.

“He lived through it and I lived through it, and there are others who will. Let’s hope and pray and work that the suffering of these diseases can be stopped.”

Jo says she knows the lift on the federal funding ban is not a cure but that the hope it gives means a lot to her and many others.

To find out how you can help those with Parkinson’s, visit www.parkinsonsresource.org.