County agency to receive award
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, Chicago, will present the "Community Partnership Award" to the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans' Internment at the second annual "Dogs for dystonia … a dog walk and so much more."

The awareness and fundraising event will be held at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan, from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 7. Carol Levenberg, director of development at the Chicagobased foundation, will bestow the award at 11 a.m., before the main activity begins.

According to Len Nachbar, co-leader of the Central Jersey Dystonia Support and Action Group, the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans' Internment "has taken a very active role in spreading awareness and educating the public in our county about this relatively unknown but fairly common neurological condition."

According to a press release, dystonia is a movement disorder that causes muscles to contract and spasm involuntarily, often resulting in severe pain and contortion. There are approximately 13 forms of dystonia and approximately 50 diseases and conditions include dystonia as a major symptom.

Experts estimate that approximately 300,000 people in North America are affected; that is a larger portion of the population than those who suffer from better known conditions such as muscular dystrophy or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

The Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans' Internment has included information about dystonia in two editions of its monthly newsletter and in its Spanish language publication.

It produced and broadcast seven segments about dystonia on its "Lasting Lifestyles" cable television program and recently introduced a dystonia resource center on its Internet Web site for persons with chronic conditions and disabilities and those who care for them, www.lastinglifestyles.net.

The division also placed a photo of a "Lasting Lifestyles" interview about dystonia with neurosurgeon Ron Alterman in the "Lasting Lifestyles" literature. That picture and description will appear in the brochure nationally, not only in Monmouth County.

John Wanat, executive director of the Monmouth County Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veterans' Internment, and Janet Corbally, director of "Lasting Lifestyles," will accept the award.

Information about dystonia can be found at www.dystonia-foundation.org. Registration and sponsorship forms and scheduled activities for "Dogs for Dystonia" can be downloaded at www.Dogs- ForDystonia.com.