Parkinson’s volunteer receives award
Published: February 11, 2006
When Irving Popkin was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his prognosis was grim.
“I psyched myself up for 10 good years,” said Popkin, of Mt. Lebanon, “and then I realized it was possible that I would go into a wheelchair or become bedridden.”
But these days Popkin runs. He travels the region — operating a car without hand controls — to lift the spirits of others suffering from the disease and to raise money.
Popkin, 73, recently got word that he had won the United Way Senator John Heinz award for his volunteer work and dedication. He will receive the honor March 7.
“He has given so very much to the Parkinson’s community here in Pittsburgh for such a long time,” said Barbara Lebeau, development director of the Parkinson Chapter of Greater Pittsburgh. “He inspires other people to do things. He has the absolutely wonderful way of making lemonade out of lemons. He leads by example.”
Even his granddaughter, Lebeau said, was inspired by Popkin to donate the gift money she received for her bat mitzvah, a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for a girl.
In 1987, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Popkin was told about a support group in the South Hills, but he refused to go, deeming it too touchy-feely. But after his light-hearted article for a national magazine on how to live with Parkinson’s with a sense of humor had generated some responses, Popkin realized he should spread the message locally. “Maybe I can be a speaker going around the support groups to talk about how Parkinson’s could be fun,” he said.
Popkin began by speaking to the South Hills group. He soon found himself enjoying the company of those who, as he does, battle symptoms such as tremors, uncontrolled movements and rigidity of the joints.
But soon he had another problem.
“I ran out of jokes,” he said.
So he ceded the podium and began looking for other speakers. By 1996, Popkin had taken charge of the group and helped it grow into the largest of its kind in Western Pennsylvania, with 130 members today. The group meets every second Wednesday at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Mt. Lebanon.
On Sunday, Popkin will speak at an event organized by Hadassah Greater Pittsburgh Chapter in Squirrel Hill.
Exercising and watching his diet has helped Popkin beat the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Above all, it helps that his family has supported his wishes to live like a healthy person.
“They didn’t treat me like I am sick,” said Popkin. “No one feels sorry for me.”
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