The Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award is presented yearly at the Parkinson's Unity Walk to an individual deemed to make an exemplary contribution to Parkinson's education and advocacy.
Alan Bonander was a person with Parkinson's who selflessly devoted to his time to patient advocacy through research and direct interaction with physicians. He was a dedicated husband, Texan, support person, consultant, advocate, writer, Parkinson's medication information resource, Parkinson's patient, Palidotomy recipient, asthma sufferer and internet pioneer. This is just a hint of who Alan Bonander was until his untimely death in 1996.
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Articles below:
A Tribute to Alan Bonander - The Icon, by Ken Aidekman
The 2005 Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award
Murray Charters to Receive the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award at 2004 Walk
A Tribute to Alan Bonander - The Icon,
By Ken Aidekman
The Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award is presented yearly at the Parkinson's Unity Walk to an individual deemed to make an exemplary contribution to Parkinson's education and advocacy.
Alan Bonander was a person with Parkinson's who selflessly devoted to his time to patient advocacy through research and direct interaction with physicians. He was a dedicated husband, Texan, support person, consultant, advocate, writer, Parkinson's medication information resource, Parkinson's patient, Palidotomy recipient, asthma sufferer and internet pioneer.this is just a hint of who Alan Bonander was until his untimely death in 1996.
May 14, 1940 - August 2, 1996
Today's heroes never die ... they just become icons on the "Internet of Life"
"He had a knowledge base as wide as any neurologist and would help anyone who asked," said Ken Aidekman, co-founder of the Parkinson's Unity Walk. "He spent close to 100 percent of his time trying to help others with Parkinson's disease, and when he passed away in 1996, there were e-mails of gratitude from all over the world."
August 4, 1996
Ken Aidekman, co-founder of Parkinson's Unity Walk, gives a tribute to Alan upon his death in 1996 and paints a splendid portrait of the Icon.
The first time I 'met' Alan Bonander was on the Parkinson's bulletin board in prodigy. Ken Bernstein told me about this 'virtual' support group which he hoped could someday be transformed into a vital information network for the Parkinson's community. Alan was the soul of the bulletin board. No matter what the question, Alan had a well-informed, well-thought out, compassionate answer. He didn't have to answer every question, especially the frequently asked ones, but he took on this responsibility day after day like someone else might put on a comfortable pair of shoes.
Alan threw himself headlong into the effort to help people with PD all over the country, and then the world, through computerized communication. His caring 'bedside' manner and pleasant sense of humor established a healthy standard of etiquette that remains an important part of online PD dialogue today. Why else would so many people who had never met him in person consider him a true friend?
Shortly after reading Alan's posts I began receiving his Movers & Shakers Newsletter and realized that it was the best written and most comprehensive newsletter in the country. How did this one man have the time to lead a support group, talk to doctors and researchers about their latest findings and treatments, publish a multi-page newsletter and still answer any number of questions on line each day in a satisfying informative matter? I wondered if he ever slept. Could he possibly do all this while suffering from PD?
I finally had an opportunity to meet 'the man behind the font' at the first Parkinson's Action Network forum in Washington, DC. He wasn't quite what I expected. Certainly pleasant enough, but with his western style vest, bolo tie and a bit of a paunch he looked different than he 'sounded'. But he was every bit the warm, caring and intelligent man that I had come to know through his letters.
From then on we communicated regularly. We talked about research, treatments, politics, unity and the many people in the Parkinson's community who had the potential to move mountains if only they could work together. As time passed Alan took his role as 'patient advocate' more and more seriously. This often put him at odds with some people in Parkinson's organizations and the established medical community. Despite the difficulties, he never let his 'patients' down.
I often had a concern that Alan might go to far and be accused of practicing medicine, but he knew where to draw the line and when to suggest that a patient consult their neurologist about a touchy issue. Alan knew more about Parkinson's than 95% of the neurologists in this country, and yet he knew enough not to be negative things about the less than perfect state of PD care. What Alan taught me was the importance of being one's own informed decision maker in the PD process. He showed that folks with PD can live far more productive lives if they take an active role in learning about and treating their illness.
I remember when Alan talked to me about a young patient who had committed suicide a few days earlier. It was his first 'loss' and he was devastated. He took the incident very personally, as much as any doctor would. He second-guessed himself about what he could have done to prevent it. I remember Alan intervening on behalf of an incarcerated PD patient whose jailers had little understanding of Parkinson's. He went to bat again and again for this person because no one else was willing to do it. I remember Alan wistfully complaining about the pain of comforting recently diagnosed patients because the medical community was ill-equipped for the job and not sufficiently motivated to take on this important role. This was where he felt he belonged.
At times Alan confided to me that he wasn't quite up to the task he had set for himself. He apologized for not doing more. He felt terrible about cutting back on his assumed duties in order to care for his own health. At times he was on top of the world. At times he could barely drag himself out of bed. The health of so many others was more important to him.
Some folks talk about the ironic positives that come out of the experience of living with Parkinson's; taking life more slowly; appreciating the simplest daily actions and thoughts. From what I saw of Alan's experience, Parkinson's provided him with an opportunity to help thousands of individuals all over the world. He became part of a huge loving family whose simple e-mails were his greatest reward. His help and honesty and kindness will be sorely missed.
Rest in peace, Alan.
-Ken Aidekman
Dedication inscription to Alan from his wife the author:
"the son of a preacher man,"
Who never lost his sense of humor through the most Difficult time in his life.
For his strength to fight a relentless disease, For his dignity as it ravaged his body, For his missionary's heart, For his hunger to learn and help find the cure.
May you run and leap and cavort with the angels, love.
by Jane Bonander
The 2005 Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award
The Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award Will Be Presented to John Cottingham and Barbara Patterson on April 16, 2005 at the 11th Annual Parkinson's Unity Walk in New York City
On Saturday, April 16, 2005, at the 11th Annual Parkinson's Unity Walk, the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award will be presented to John Cottingham of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Barbara Patterson of Dundas, Ontario for keeping the Parkinson's community connected through Parkinsons-Information-Exchange-Network-Online (PIENO). The Bonander Award is presented yearly to an individual, or individuals, deemed to make an exemplary contribution to Parkinson's education and advocacy.
The Parkinson's Unity Walk is proud of John and Barbara's contributions. Thank you for helping the Parkinson's community keep informed and connected.
Past recipients of the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award are Vernice Roberts, Lupe McCann, Jim Maurer, Marilyn Lamendola, Margot Zobel, Nancy Abraham, Brenda Tucker and Murray Charters.
Murray Charters to Receive the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award at 2004 Walk
On Saturday, April 24, 2004, at the 10th Annual Parkinson's Unity Walk, the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award will be presented to Murray Charters of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Bonander Award is presented yearly to an individual, or individuals, deemed to make an exemplary contribution to Parkinson's education and advocacy.
While Murray modestly describes himself as "jus' an ol' red-necked mechanic who happens to have Parkinson's," the Parkinson's community knows better. Murray maintains an ever evolving personal website, dedicated to Parkinson's World Awareness and FREE Easy Access to "Information" for all, aptly titled "Parkinson's Resources on the WWWeb". This warm, approachable site is a virtual conduit to the latest Parkinson's news and advocacy information.
Before there was a Web site, Murray began assembling links on Parkinson's education from his personal Internet searching of Web sites and newswires. He shared "the more interesting stuff" with members of his local Early Onset Parkinson's Support Group and with some members of the PARKINSN Information Exchange e-mail LISTSERVE. Eventually a Parkinsonian cyber-friend set up a Web site for Murray. In July 2002, Murray taught himself HTML coding and assumed the role of "Webmaster" of his site. Understanding the physical challenges that many individuals with Parkinson's face, Murray thoughtfully tailored his "Magic Links" to maximize results with minimal typing.
While Murray will readily tell you that he has no medical credentials and that you should check all information with your health care professional, he is eager to share all he discovers. He takes his desire to convey the latest Parkinson's news a step further by sending daily media "updates" via e-mail to the Parkinson's community. Each day Murray combs through online media/newswires to obtain the latest information. His e-mails always includes his source and, often, additional related information.
The Parkinson's Unity Walk is proud of the contributions Murray Charters is making to the Parkinson's community by keeping it informed and connected.
For more information on Murray Charters, please visit his Web site at http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters/index.html.
Past recipients of the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award are Vernice Roberts, Lupe McCann, Jim Maurer, Marilyn Lamendola, Margot Zobel, Nancy Abraham and Brenda Tucker.
2003 Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award Presented to Nancy Abraham and Brenda Tucker—Co-Founders of PLWP
On Thursday evening, May 28th, at the Parkinson’s Unity Walk reception held in New York City Hall’s historic Council Chambers, Carol Walton, Executive Director of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, and Margot Zobel, last year’s recipient and Founder of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, awarded the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award to Nancy Abraham and Brenda Tucker, co-Founders of People Living with Parkinson’s (PLWP). The Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award is presented yearly to an individual or individuals who make an exemplary contribution to Parkinson’s education and advocacy.
Nancy and Brenda, both living with Parkinson’s, first “met” in 1998 in an Internet chat room hosted by Massachusetts General Hospital. While Nancy and Brenda are fortunate to have spouses that give emotional and financial support, they learned through the chat room that there are many other people with Parkinson’s who are not as fortunate. They decided to do something about it. In August 1999, Nancy flew from NY to Tennessee to meet Brenda in person. Fueled with passion to make a positive difference in the lives of persons touched by Parkinson’s, they launched the Web site “PLWP, People Living with Parkinson's” in April 2000.
“PLWP’s concern is how the debilitation caused from Parkinson’s affects the quality of life for many due to loss of employment and the high cost of medications. Our organization’s goals are to help alleviate some of the burden and to provide support to those living with Parkinson’s disease and their families,” explains Brenda and Nancy.
PLWP created the “Benevolence Program” to provide limited financial assistance to PLWP members when such assistance is likely to be effective in helping the applicant find a long-term solution to his or her difficulty. Tom Abraham, Nancy’s husband, beamed with pride adding, “I am most proud of how PLWP is helping people and doing it with compassion and the personal touch.” Through chat rooms and forums, the PLWP site offers an active gathering place to “compare notes and share.” While Nancy and Brenda look forward to the day Parkinson’s is cured, they are proud that their international non-profit organization has over 500 members.
The accomplishments of PLWP are many. In addition to the Web site, PLWP sponsors the “Patients & Providers Program” to provide round table discussion between medical professionals, patients, and families. Additionally, Nancy and Brenda addressed a group of 5,000 medical professionals last year at Harvard’s Pri-Med Conference in Boston Massachusetts. They are actively supporting Parkinson’s advocacy efforts through the Parkinson’s Action Network, and for the past three years have had a team at the Parkinson’s Unity Walk.
The Parkinson’s Unity Walk is proud of the contribution Nancy Abraham and Brenda Tucker are making to the Parkinson’s community. For more information on how you can get involved with PLWP, please visit their Web site at: www.plwp.org.