MegaCon!

Terry and I arrived on time to drive the time machine into the Orange County Convention Center on Thursday. There was a long line of vehicles at the loading docks, but we were asked to go to the front of the line (presumably so we wouldn't drive over anyone setting up their booth!)
It's always a thrill for me to drive on carpeting. (The time machine likes it too!)
The decorating staff was very friendly and helped us get into position. We hung the Team Fox banners high and proud, then Terry arranged for a power source so we could plug the car in. The car's battery can operate all the lights and effects for a period of time, but will eventually go dead if the engine isn't recharging it. We spent time cleaning the car up and then checked into the Peabody Hotel next door. Ducks were enjoying swimming in the hotel lobby's fountain, as is tradition. We were beat from the drive and the set-up and the weather was lovely, so we enjoyed it by relaxing in a hammock in my favorite secret Orlando place, then having dinner with friends at Cafe TuTu Tango. We recommend this restaurant -not only does it have wonderful food, and art, but belly dancers as well. I was invited to join one of them and did my best (briefly.) Oh my!
Friday morning it's prep time. I set the computer and photo printing gear and Terry does a mad dash for an extra collection jar. She finds one at a convenience store, a 3 gal water jug with a long skinny neck. The $ goes in but how do we get it out! Deal with that later. The show starts off well. Vendors walking by make donations. What a great start.
When the public comes in, it's all hands on deck. R2D2 stopped by, as well as Joey Fatone and Lou Ferrigno. Terry was interviewed for about 10 minutes by a camera crew with Orange TV. Both of us taking photos, talking with all manner of characters and having a blast showing the car. The day flies by with visits from friends and well wishers.
At 7:00pm sharp, the show ends for the day, and our 'board of directors' takes us to Epcot for a fancy french dinner! The frenzy, excitement, questions, and everything is almost overwhelming, not to mention standing on the concrete floor for 10 hours, but it was a great day. -And we'll be ready for Saturday, which is supposed to be REALLY crazy.
-O.

Busy, busy, busy!

We've had a little warm weather here in South Carolina (It'll reach 70+ degrees today), and the flowers are already blooming in anticipation of Spring.
Similarly, interest in our mission is stirring, and we're adding dates and locations to our calendar!
MegaCon in Orlando Florida has invited us to participate in their 2009 extravaganza and we are looking forward to meeting lots of Back to the Future fans, taking lots of photos for people with the time machine, and collecting lots of donations for Team Fox!
We just returned from a MJFF Roundtable discussion in Atlanta, GA (Terry details this wonderful experience in another post.) Atlanta Magazine staffers emerged from their offices to show their enthusiasm and wrote us up in a nice article!
We're looking at another potential Orlando leap in April for the Exotic Car Festival, as well as Lake Lanier, GA and also Texas.
-Oliver

MJFF Research Roundtable

Yesterday Oli and I attended the Atlanta round Table discussion held by MJFF.
In attendance were an estimated 40 persons. Some Doctors, Scientists, patients and folks like us, interested in understanding more about the foundation and it’s progress.

Oli and I arrived in Atlanta around 2 in the afternoon. We went past the Underground and the new shopping center where the Ikea store is. We drove down Peachtree noting people’s reactions to seeing a time machine drive by. It was fun. We then pulled into the drive of the Hyatt where the round table was being held. The car is a magnet for attention. Folks walking by stopped to take photos. Patrol cops came over to make sure we were okay. The hotels employees all came out to see the car. The Atlanta Magazine’s offices are in the building across the street and we had some fun with them. One fellow (the editor of the magazine), wanted to sit in our car. I answered 'yes if you put $20 in Mr. Compassion', (Mr. Fusion.) He did, and the photo was on their website the next day!

We stayed out front until 3:30 when Oli drove Jack, the parking manager, down to the garage, or ‘parking lobby’ where the car was parked for the evening. Very nice temperature controlled facility, with large automatic doors that sweep up and down quickly, and probably the prettiest lighting we’ve ever seen in a garage!

The meeting started off with a reception. We sat a table with a young couple from Georgia, he an EMT and she a lawyer-to-be. The meeting got started at 6, it was a live webcast. Debi Brooks, cofounder of the foundation, did the introduction and then the speakers each had an opportunity.
The discussions ranged from clinical trials, their outcomes and the route the foundation might follow in the future. We did learn something new about the symptoms and complications of PD. We’re familiar with the physical aspect of the disease, but the panel brought forth the cognitive effects of PD. Depression, apathy and dementia are part of the puzzle.
It’s still a puzzle to me, -and the panel it seems. But they are inspired to continue down each and every avenue that they believe might bring about results which in turn will bring about the elusive cure.

The question and answers from the guests present and from the web continued the discussions of “sham” surgeries, (or ‘simulated’ as I prefer them called) in the double blind trials. Interestingly, we found out that those given a placebo or simulated surgery during a trial will receive the treatment for free if that particular trial proves effective!
Stem cell research, both embryonic and adult, re-programming cells.
Implanting “seeds” to help grow the brain back, needing healthy “soil”, (brain) to grow healthy connections. Mind-boggling? Yet, the evening left me hopeful. Understandably there were a lot of individuals wanting their specific answers. The panel did give general answers, noting that the PD patient must look at their individual health, and specific needs and circumstances. Each patient should speak with their doctor before entering a clinical trial.
Hope is what I came away with. Yes, this was a meeting to inform people that are involved with the foundation. So hope is important, and the MJFF has clear objectives: Drive the best parkinson’s research and deliver improved therapies and a cure.

When Oli and I are on the road and we stop to get gas and people want to take pictures of the car we say Yes! But give hope! We all need hope, and we all can give something!

Debi acknowledged the Team Fox Members present. A gentleman from Atlanta who is a PD patient, and is funding an advertising campaign in the Atlanta area to raise awareness. And Oli and I, the time travelers. I wonder if there shouldn’t be a gathering for Team Fox Members where we can discuss our fund raising strategies. Together we are strong.
-Terry

Creative Support!

I recently found a wonderful website!

It features a really great 'Back to the Future' style font, along with other fonts and creative services by a nice guy named David Occhino.
What a pleasure it was when he offered to support our mission with his talents! He is currently working on a logo to help give us a visual identity, so be watching this blog and our website for the new artwork!
David also generously sent a donation to Team Fox through our website, so we (and many others) thank him very much!
-Oliver