Dana Hodgkins, Gorham, Maine

MEAPDA Executive Board: 1st Vice President

I was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in April 2005 at the age of 46, 4 years ago. At the time and for the next 3.5 years, I was the Information Systems Senior Manager for the Fairchild Semiconductor manufacturing site in South Portland. After 27 years with Fairchild, I left in July 2008 through the good fortune of timing as my wife, Kathy, was embarking on her career as a newly graduated Masters of Accounting and now CPA certified. Since then, I have met and become close friends with so many wonderful and caring people that I would not have otherwise.

I take each day with a positive attitude, lots of enthusiasm, and an optimistic outlook on my life and my family. I do pretty much what I want to do when I want to do it, even if it is at 3am! Sleep is over-rated. I still climb mountains with a full pack, ride 100 miles on my bike, and paddle my kayak every chance I get. I am blessed with the love and support from my life partner, Kathy, and from my two kids, Philip and Brianne. As for PD, a cure is around the next corner. Believe it.

What brought me to serve on the MEAPDA Board of Directors? Very simply, because Mary Sontz asked me to and believed that I could make a difference... at only 4 hours per week! Having accepted that 4 would become 20, I serve because I know that our society is mostly unaware and uneducated about this disease that impacts so many people's lives, Parkies, families, friends, and co-workers. Being on the Board, I have the opportunity to encourage, facilitate, and engage in activities that raise awareness in our community. Sometimes we also make a little money that gets funneled to finding a cure. Helping people... that's why I serve.