Page created by: The Schainholtz Family

About Joan:
Joan was born in 1944 and grew up in Far Rockaway, Queens, NY. Interested in both dance and art, surgery for scoliosis at age 16 made the decision about her future for her, and she became an art teacher. Joan married Bernard in 1971 and they moved to Westchester, NY. In addition to continuing her own artwork (jewelry, painting, and pottery) and teaching others, she managed Bernard's private dental practice for 30 years.

She is survived by her husband, daughters Dana and Mara(husband Tim), granddaughter Stella, and brother Michael. Joan also leaves behind many other devoted relatives and friends. The loving care and dedication of Tessa Mitchell, her caregiver for the past twelve years, is something for which we could never express enough gratitude.

About our connection to MJFF:
Although it was tough to hear and accept the diagnosis of Dystonia and later, Parkinson's, we had already suspected that Joan's maternal grandmother may have had a related illness. Joan remembered her grandmother's hand tremors, and how she would help polish her nails. Tremors was one of Joan's early symptoms as well.
By 2005, she had already undergone several major spinal surgeries for congenital bone and spinal conditions. With a fully fused spine with instrumentation (rods and screws), she was still optimistic about returning to full function.
The description of PD as a "progressive" illness hit hard, and yet didn't really sink in. I felt like she had come to as much acceptance as there was going to be when, a few years later, she asked me if she could now join Michael J. Fox's "club" as she called it. I told her she absolutely could. My father, Bernard, was already ahead of us, as he likes to research and learn about science and medicine. He was aware of studies, clinical trials, and news about treatments available at that time and possibly in the future.
We helped her discover an online community of people with similar symptoms. Although she wasn't able to remain actively vocal in her online groups, Bernard periodically read emails from the message boards. I would definitely say the MJFF and other online resources have been most helpful to him, as her husband, caregiver, and advocate. Through the MJFF we were able to keep abreast of the latest developments in understanding and treatment.
We will continue to follow the progress of the MJFF, and think of Joan's bravery in her fight through her illness as an important part of the "club".

-Dana Schainholtz