Parkinson's group names Plum couple local heroes

Tom and Carol Reid of Plum began their journey to help people with Parkinson's disease 15 years ago.

Mr. Reid was an in-house attorney for Koppers Co. Inc. in Pittsburgh, when he began to have symptoms of Parkinson's, such as drooling and watering eyes.

His wife said family members noticed he had developed a masklike, expressionless face, another symptom of Parkinson's. He also fell off a ladder, and he broke a rib after he couldn't stop while running downhill.

"We knew something was wrong," Mrs. Reid said.

Mr. Reid went to his family doctor soon after the symptoms began, but it took two years to get a diagnosis.

When Mr. Reid retired, the couple moved to their former vacation home in Ligonier, where they became active in the Westmoreland County Parkinson Support Group in Greensburg and helped to start a support group at Forbes Regional Hospital.

Now, the Reids will be honored for their volunteer work to help those with Parkinson's. They will receive the Local Hero Award at a symposium on Parkinson's disease Sept. 15 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.

The Reids have helped to raise awareness of the National Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, volunteer for medical research and speak to community organizations about their experiences with Parkinson's, according to the Davis Phinney Foundation, sponsor of the symposium.

They also have helped to organize a three-day retreat every year for the past six years at Antiochian Village near Ligonier for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers.

Mr. Reid, 75, obtained benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs because he was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and is currently helping another Parkinson's patient navigate the maze of VA requirements to obtain benefits.

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Parkinson's group names Plum couple local heroes