SHERYL JENLINSKI

IRON MOUNTAIN — Sheryl Jenlinski will be the keynote speaker for the fourth-annual U.P. Parkinson Disease Symposium on Friday, Sept. 27, at Bay College West in Iron Mountain.

From the Chicago area, Jenlinski labels herself a blogger, author, motivational speaker and Parkinson’s patient. She also is a humorist, putting a light-hearted twist on her experiences in dealing with the disease.

She wrote the book, “Parkinson’s, You’re Kidding Me, Right?,” which also is the title of her presentation.

Returning to the symposium is attorney Paul Sturgul of Hurley, Wis. He does work for the elderly in both Michigan and Wisconsin and has offices in both states. His speech, “Through the (antiquated) Looking Glass: Guardianship and Modern Elder Law Practices.” He regularly appears on PBS Channel 13’s “Meet the Lawyers” and presents internationally.

Also at the event will be neurologist Dr. Aaron Ellenbogen, a movement specialist with the Michigan Institute of Neurological Disorders, to present “Overview of Parkinson Medications and Rescue Therapies, APOKYN.” He comes from the Lower Peninsula.

Neurologist Dr. Roman Politi of Marquette will speak on “Inbreja — Recognizing OFF periods in Parkinson’s Disease.” Politi is the medical director of the Department of Neurology for the Marquette Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Associates. He also is on the scientific advisory committee of the American Academy of Neurology.

Optometrist Dr. Tyler Chartier of the Norway Eye Clinic in Norway will detail one of the many non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in “The Eyes Have It.”

The speakers all plan to be panelists for a question-and-answer session.

Hosted by the Parkinson Society of Dickinson County Area in conjunction with the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, this symposium is open to all Parkinson’s disease patients, along with family, caregivers and others interested in learning more in the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin.

Registration and check-in open at 8 a.m. and the program begins at 8:45 a.m. Beverages will be available all day and a free lunch will be provided at noon. Health services displays will be set up in the commons area.

While the program is free, registration in advance is required so enough seating and lunches will be available. To register, call the Michigan Parkinson Foundation at 1-800-852-9781 or Pauline Hill at 906-774-0332.