The annual HAPS symposium will be held on Saturday, April 10. We have reserved the entire Metropolitan Multi-Service Center for this very special event which will feature Dr. Abraham Lieberman - Medical Director of the National Parkinson Foundation and Professor of Neurology at the University of Miami, Miami, Florida - as keynote speaker.

In addition there will be workshops and exhibitions on a variety of subjects ranging from medication and medical treatment to therapies such as massage and exercise, speech and water.

The cyclists participating in the "Parkinson’s Power Across America" will be passing through Houston on that day and we will be recognizing them for their efforts to raise funds for research as well as public awareness of PD.

To learn about the latest developments in Parkinson’s care and treatments and to honor the cyclists, plan to attend this very special event. The entire schedule will be printed in next month’s newsletter. As always, there will be no charge.

The Neuroscience Research Center at the UT Houston Health Science Center is offering a free Public Forum in recognition of Brain Awareness Week. The forum will be held at the UT-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin, Room 3.001 on Tuesday, March 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It will be repeated on Saturday, March 20, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

At 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24 a therapy and support group will be reestablished at The Rehabilitation Center at Park Plaza Hospital. The group will meet in the physical therapy gym in the basement of the north building and activities will include PT, OT, speech, psychological aspects of dealing with PD and periodic speakers of interest to those participating.

The very able staff of the Rehabilitation Center recognized the need for such a group for their inpatients, as well as for others who live in that area of Houston, and have very generously donated their professional services. They are committed to making it a success this time. For more information please call Anne at 713-626-7114.

On Friday, March 5 Outreach Programs, Inc. is sponsoring a program dealing with the physical needs of senior citizens in Houston.

The program is free and will be held at the Braeswood Hotel and Convention Center at Braeswood and Greenbriar. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. A continental breakfast will be served from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Speakers will include Dr. William Ondo, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine on the subject of Neurologic Gait Disorders of the Elderly and Matthew Green, Vice President of Operations, Outreach Programs, Inc. on the subject of Today’s Changing Medicare and Overview of Outreach Programs.