MVAA visits Veterans with Parkinson's Support Group

Director Brian L. Love visits with members of the Veterans with Parkinson's Support Group

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) Director Brian L. Love and Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) Director Lindell Holm visited the ‘Veterans with Parkinson’s Support Group’ at the Michigan Parkinson Foundation to present information on the MVTF and recognize five Vietnam veterans in attendance.

The Michigan Parkinson Foundation is an independent non-profit charitable corporation that supports individuals impacted by Parkinson’s disease and other related movement disorders. They offer medication assistance, educational programs, exercise classes and respite care to caregivers. The Michigan Parkinson Foundation sponsors 76 support groups and services to all 83 counties in the state. 

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that directly impacts the central nervous system, causing involuntary movements such as muscle stiffness, tremors, impaired motor skills and postural instability. According to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 1.5 million people in the United States and about 35,000 individuals in Michigan. 

Nate Jolliff, Michigan Parkinson Foundation Board Member and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Marc Trail, U.S. Navy veteran, co-launched the ‘Veterans with Parkinson’s Support Group’ in Jan. 2024 to provide a safe space for veterans to seek support. 

Jolliff joined the Michigan Parkinson Foundation after being diagnosed with the disease due to drinking the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during his military service from 1984 – 1988. As an advocate for those facing the disease and as a fellow veteran, Trail forged a strong friendship with Jolliff and together they continue their service by providing camaraderie, understanding and hope to veterans.

“Many veterans living with Parkinson’s, like myself, look to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation to help them get better or at least make the journey manageable,” said Jolliff. “Within the first year [of the ‘Veterans with Parkinson’s Support Group’] we’ve gone from two to 55 participants and we continue to grow.” 

Jolliff invited Holm to the Jan.16 meeting of the support group to talk about MVAA and how the MVTF can be helpful to veterans experiencing an emergent need.

“It was very meaningful to be able to share with them about the MVTF and the emergency grant program since veterans experiencing health challenges, like Parkinson’s disease, may be able to really benefit from the grant,” said Holm. “Though we don’t cover much in medical expenses, we can help in other ways such as necessary home modifications or other financial shortfalls that are unforeseen.”

After Holm’s presentation, Director Love made a surprise appearance to personally recognize and pin five Vietnam-era veterans and give them the proper ‘welcome home’ they deserved. 

“It was very emotional and I’m not sure if there was a dry eye in that conference room,” Jolliff recalled. “I couldn’t help but have a smiling appreciation for MVAA and the great work being done to recognize our veteran community.”

The ‘Veterans with Parkinson’s Support Group’ meets on the third Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. at the Marine Corps League in American Legion Post 351 in Utica, MI. For more information about the support group or additional services through the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, please contact Nate Jolliff at natejolliff@comcast.net or Marc Trail at mtrail@carepatrol.com. 

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Since his appointment last October by Gov. Whitmer, MVAA Director Brian L. Love has traveled across Michigan pinning hundreds of Vietnam-era veterans, thanking each one for their service and officially welcoming them home. 

The Commemorative Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin Director Love presents to Vietnam-era veterans, is to symbolize a lasting memento of the Nations thanks. Any living U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one lapel pin.

In 2012, the Department of Defense established the United States Vietnam War Commemoration initiative. The goals of this initiative was to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, highlight the service of the Armed Forces during, pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front, highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the War, and recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our allies.