Raising Awareness Through Walking

The While a person’s first reaction to finding out a loved one is suffering from a debilitating disease might be anger one local woman is channeling that feeling into something positive.

Phyllis Shoemaker’s husband and son, Sherman, both suffer from Huntington’s Disease. It’s a genetic neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle movement, mood swings and slurred speech among other symptoms.

Saturday, Shoemaker organized what she calls therapy, Team Hope Walk/Run to raise money and awareness against the disease.

"My husband has been in a nursing home almost 8 years and Sherman two year and there’s no cure currently so this helps me from getting angry and going crazy," said Shoemaker.

One walker from Cambridge came to walk in support of a friend who’s mother suffers from Huntington’s.

"I think that not many people know what Huntington’s is and there’s not a cure for it right now," said Cassie Hockenberry. "I think the more that people can become aware and raise a little money for research it’s going to someday lead to something that’s going to help down the road."

Shoemaker said seeing the turnout from the community is amazing.

"It’s overwhelming," said Shoemaker. "It brings me to tears. We’ve had so many donations, so much money I haven’t counted and I’ve already exceeded my goal. So it’s just wonderful."

Shoemaker’s goal was to make over $2,000 for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. The Team Hope Walk took place at Zane’s Landing Park.