Support Leon's Journey to Independence

Our friend Leon Paparella recently underwent spinal surgery to help with the numbness, severe pain, and difficulty walking he was experiencing as a result of fractured vertebrae in his neck. The surgery was successful, but several weeks and months of rehab and physical therapy lie ahead, including after he returns to his apartment in DC.

Leon is a gifted counselor, with decades of professional experience as a certified group psychotherapist. Despite his own diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson’s disease nearly 40 years ago, Leon has maintained a rich and varied life, personally and professionally.

Under the auspices of the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capitol Area, Leon leads three online support groups. He would like to continue in those leadership roles, provided he has some critical furnishings, and support from post-rehab health aides.

For his apartment, Leon will need a power recliner chair; an adjustable-height tray-table on wheels that can slide over the chair; a padded chair for his desk; and a computer monitor, to communicate better with his online groups. The money raised will also help pay for the cost of part-time home health aides, who will assist Leon with his daily needs on a regular basis.

Your contributions will help Leon continue his important counseling work, and remain as independent as possible. Thank you for contributing what you can -- every bit helps! We will keep you posted with updates as often as we can. With kind regards from two of Leon's many friends, Laurie Doepel and Kevin Krug.