Tom and Carol Reid, of Plum, have been living with Parkinsons disease for 17 years, but its how they are helping others with the disorder that has earned them a big honor.

They will be awarded with the Local Hero award Saturday from the Davis Phinney Foundation.

Carol Reid remembers when she started noticing a change in her husband.

He was losing facial expression. I didn't know what that meant. I just felt like you know, you're not responding to me, she said. He was drooling. His eyes were watering. He was falling often.

Tom Reid went to the family doctor and was given Claritin for his watery eyes.

It took two years to get a second opinion and a diagnosis of Parkinsons, a neurodegenerative disease.

I was in a classical case of denial, said Tom.

Symptoms involve loss of motor control, affecting speech and movement.

Tom was a captain in the Army before becoming a corporate attorney. He enjoyed public speaking and using what he and his wife called his command voice.

Parkinsons has changed that.

Original post:
Pittsburgh-area couple awarded for work with Parkinson's disease patients