Rock Band, squint, Donates Over Three Grand to Parkinson Disease Research
All proceeds from squintfest 2003 concert donated to The National Parkinson Foundation; in honor of squint guitarist’s mother, who suffered from the disease.

The two-concert event featured thirteen regional rock acts including Maroon, Pinkard, Zack the Rookie, Only a Few, November’s End, Tyler Read, Rapunzel, Fallstaff, Capt. Pimp An ‘Em, I-20 Takes Over the World, Making Monsters, Glass Pipe, and squint; and took place at Rabb’s Steak & Spirits in Ruston. All proceeds were donated to the NPF (www.parkinson.org).

Matt Fredrickson, guitarist for squint, lost his mother several years ago after she battled Parkinson’s for two decades. She was only 34 when she was diagnosed with the disease. “The idea came up in the band to do something charitable, and we agreed that a benefit for Parkinson’s was something that we all could get behind,” says Fredrickson. “It’s a very cruel and unfortunately common disease, and research on it could lead to cures for a number of neurological disorders.”

Fredrickson added, “We had a fantastic outpouring of support from the community this year. We raised fifty percent more money than last year. The people of this area are truly aiding in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.”

Squintfest 2003 is the second event of its kind that squint has held. Squintfest 2002, raised over two thousand dollars, putting squint’s total donation to the fight against Parkinson disease at well over five thousand dollars.

Area sponsors included Lewis’, A&A Datalink, Rabb’s Steakhouse, Totally Unwired, Grene With Envy, Townsend House, Ponchatoulas, Davis and Co. Hair, iamjones.com and The Dawg House.

More than one million Americans are afflicted with Parkinson's disease, with roughly 50,000 new cases being reported every year. Parkinson’s is a nerve disorder which is both chronic and progressive. It causes uncontrolled trembling and shaking (tremors), a fixed staring expression, stooped posture, muscle rigidity, an abnormal gait, loss of balance, and those who suffer from the disease may also enter into a serious state of depression as a result of their symptoms. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease come from progressive destruction of a part of the brain, the substania niagra. This is the part of the brain where the cells make dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical that is necessary for neuromuscular function. What actually brings about the onset of this horrible disease is unknown. There is currently no cure for the disease.

The disease itself can vary from one person to another. Some will develop speech problems and difficulty swallowing. Others will suffer with progressive dementia. Parkinson's will show no favorites, it will affect men and woman equally. Most generally it will develop after the age of fifty, but not always, as in the case with Fredrickson’s mother.

“We would like to thank all of our sponsors and all of the bands from the bottom of our hearts,” said Dane Adrian, vocalist for squint, “they donated their time and money without them a worthy event like this would not be possible.”

-ends-

squint is:
Dane Adrian-vocals
Matt Fredrickson-guitar
Young Charles-bass
Tote-Drums