by Cliff Buchan
News Editor
Forest Lake Times

District 52A Rep. Ray Vandeveer, said Monday that he is being treated for Parkinson's.

Vandeveer, 52, a four-term Republican from Forest Lake, said he has received multiple medical opinions and the conclusion is that he has an early and mild form of Parkinson's that he does not believe will impact his ability to perform his duties in the Minnesota Legislature.

"It appears today that is what it is," Vandeveer said of the diagnois. Since first experiencing motor symptom problems four years ago, Vandeveer said he sought medical opinions from five doctors, including physicians at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Parkinson's is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. The primary symptoms of Parkinson's are tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance and difficulty walking. Parkinson's results from the degeneration of dopamine producing nerve cells in the brain.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates motor neurons, the nerve cells that control the muscles. When dopamine is depleted, the motor system nerves are unable to control movement and coordination.

Vandeveer said Monday he has experienced some, but not all of the symptoms associated with Parkinson's. He has had no tremors, but has experienced stiffness on the left side of his body, he said.

Based on the existing symptoms and the body of medical evidence, Vandeveer said he felt comfortable beginning a treatment program for Parkinson's.

"The treatment is very effective," he said. "I can function normally."

Reason to be hopeful

Vandeveer says he takes heart from the experiences of actor Michael J. Fox who has Parkinson's and is successfully treating the disease. "There is reason to be hopeful," Vandeveer said.

Since beginning treatment, Vandeveer said he is able to lead a normal life and has not altered his personal lifestyle because of Parkinson's. He still enjoys to walk and has not stopped flying ultralight aircraft, he said.

After being endorsed again last Saturday for reelection to the Minnesota House and with a District 52 Senate bid also a possibility this year, Vandeveer said he wanted to come forward and share his situation with the public.

“Personally, it’s not that bad for me,” he said. “I think people should know if I’m running for office. If I thought it would impact my ability to do the job, I would quit.”

With treatment forms rapidly improving and more advancements likely, Vandeveer said he is comfortable that he can successfully treat the condition for many years to come.

Vandeveer said a wealth of information about Parkinson’s can be found on the Internet. Log on to www.google.com and do a search for Parkinson’s to learn more, he said.

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