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Former Pirates Player Talks Living With Parkinson's At Pittsburgh Conference

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- One of baseball's best has been slowed by Parkinson's disease.

"They have been up and down. You've got to take the days as they come. Some days are good. Some days are bad," said Former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Dave Parker.

Parker was in Pittsburgh this weekend for a conference. More than 300 people attended the third annual conference of the Allegheny Health Network focused on living with the disease.

"A one-of-a-kind comprehensive way for patients and their families with Parkinson's disease to get evaluated. So we, the medical team, we have the support group, we have physical therapy, we have speech therapy, all in one location for a one-time easy-access visit," said Dr. Donald Whiting with the Allegheny Health Network Neuroscience Institute.

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Parker was a featured speaker. He spoke about his personal challenges.

"The golf game was better before Parkinson's. Now I only hit it a little way down the Fairway, but before that I was real long -- so the golf game has suffered," he said.

Dr. Whiting said this conference shared important information for family's just like Dave's.

"It's really revolutionary because it puts the patient at the center and builds all the services around them so they don't have to search and find different things -- and maybe never find certain things like nutritionist help or Parkinson's boxing and things like that," he said.

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