JEFFERSON TWP — Finding out you have Parkinson's disease often leads to a quest for support. But proximity of support groups can deter attendance.

"When it happened there was nothing here, and we would have to go to Pittsburgh," said Parkinson's patient Bert Rettig of her diagnosis last year.

"When you have Parkinson's you can't drive — you have so many different things that can be wrong with you."

Instead of relying on others to drive to Pittsburgh from her apartment at Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Rettig enlisted their help to form a support group closer to home.

Rettig and her husband, Al, both 80, first assembled a committee, then put the word out through churches, the hospital and newspaper listings.

Concordia agreed to donate the meeting space and van transportation if needed, since those outside Concordia are encouraged to attend.

After about 30 attendees filled a card room on the Concordia campus in March, a dining room became the new site, where 35 showed up in April.

"We thought we might get eight or 10, but here we got around 30," Al Rettig said of the first meeting.

That meeting was an introductory session, where the group's mission was outlined and attendees could talk at tables of four.

"Each one of the patients told about how it affected them. Some had trouble cutting up their own meat. ... There are so many disabilities," Al Rettig said.

"One fellow, he can't even talk because it affected him in his throat."

The second meeting featured a talk by Barbara Baser of Pittsburgh, coordinator of the information and referral center for the American Parkinson Disease Association.

"It was quite a turnout," Baser said. "Nobody has that kind of turnout — especially right away."

Baser said support is important because Parkinson's symptoms can thwart independence, as well as communication.

Although tremors are most often associated with Parkinson's, a host of other symptoms can occur with the progressive neurological disorder.

"Basically, you're losing a neurotransmitter, dopamine, that controls smooth muscle movement: walking, bowel and bladder function, speech, swallowing," Baser said.

"One of the worst parts about it is to have someone talk for you," Rettig agreed of the effects of Parkinson's on speech.

Since many Parkinson's patients receive support from spouses and other family members, Rettig stressed group attendance is not limited to patients.

Concordia resident Nellie McGary was recruited as a member of the committee, for instance, because Parkinson's has afflicted several in her family.

"First was my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law — and my husband had it. I know what some of these people are talking about. I've seen it happen."

Baser said families like McGary's are not uncommon. Rettig's father also had Parkinson's. But researchers don't cite genetics as the cause.

"They don't believe it's really genetics behind it — because your father could have it and you won't get it," said Baser, whose sister, Dr. Susan Baser, is a neurologist who treats Rettig and many others with Parkinson's.

"But the likelihood would probably be greater if you have a lot of close relatives who get it," she added.

Baser said the average age of onset for Parkinson's is 62.5 years old, affecting slightly more men than women. Those of Northern European descent — Caucasians with blue eyes, fair hair, fair skin — are diagnosed most often.

"The percentage is very, very small in the black community," Baser explained.

"Muhammad Ali is probably the result of being a boxer. Boxers are more susceptible. Persistent head injuries like you'd get in boxing can cause it," she added.

Baser also cited environmental factors, naming the pesticide dieldrin, which has been linked to Parkinson's.

"They're just kind of at the tip of an iceberg of finding causes," she said.

Although about 1 percent of the population is diagnosed with Parkinson's, Baser said studies suggest 10 percent is more accurate, since symptoms can mimic those of age.

Slow movements, small steps and small handwriting are among those symptoms.

"Your whole body frame gets smaller, not physically, but just in motion sense. You take up a little less space in the world. Your body's trying to keep itself more stable and less likely to fall," Baser said.

Despite the slowed movement, Rettig said physical therapy can help — and her goal for next month is to bring in a physical therapist to speak.

That meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. May 15 in the Haven III dining room on Marwood Road.

Subsequent meetings will be held the third Tuesday of every month.

"I think it's going to be a success," Rettig said.

For more information, call 724-360-2802.