Don't ever call Beka Serdans a victim. After suffering for more than a decade with a movement disorder called dystonia, the intensive care nurse from New York Presbyterian is anything but. In fact, since Jan. 2006, Serdans, RN, MS, NP has been a a survivor and true patient advocate, creating Awareness for Dystonia, a neurological condition that presents itself through involuntary movements, tremors and bizarre postures.
It is estimated that over 40 million Americans suffer from a movement disorder, the third most common being dystonia, There is no cure for dystonia today. ( Source : www.life-in-motion.org ). Beka has been creating Awareness for dystonia by initially working with the media, appearing on NBC, Dateline MSNBC and other media venues. Since 2006, she has distributed over 36,000 refrigerated sized magnets free of charge all over the world. Serdans states \"I have never looked at dystonia as a disabling disorder. It induces a lot of depression, anxiety and unemployment, but I never went that route.\" She underwent Deep Brain Stimulation for dystonia in December 2004 at Weill-Cornell by Dr. Michael G. Kaplitt, MD, Ph.D.
Her goals through her website include patient education or as she refers to \"Setting the PACE,\" which clearly focuses on Patient Care, Awareness, Collaboration, and Education. \"People with dystonia need to come out of the closet for dystonia to be heard about and listened to. If I'm the only one who does that with refrigerator magnets, then fine, I'm the only one. I'm not planning on quitting. This is just the beginning".
For more Information, contact www.care4dystonia.org
Recognize Dystonia Awareness Week June 3-7 2007
For viewing of a DBS Photo Essay , www.parasphotography.com/beka.html.
Web Site = http://www.care4dystonia.org
Contact Details = 440 East 78th Street New York, NY 10021 EMail - infoc4d@aol.com
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