Dawn Brinkley
"Cervical Dystonia- Staying on the Move with a Movement Disorder"
Dawn Brinkley, reigning Mrs. North Carolina, proudly wears many titles --
wife, mother, patient, patient
advocate, volunteer and civic leader, with new specialties added every day.
Diagnosed in 2004 with Cervical
Dystonia with Parkinsonism, a neurological movement disorder, life drastically
changed for this always active, healthy young woman. When faced with this
challenge, she found a renewed purpose in life.
In 2005 Dawn first began
volunteering with the Children’s
of Camp
Lejeune, NC as their first Morale Support volunteer.
In
May of 2009 Dawn went to Capitol Hill, as a patient advocate to meet with key
members of Congress for Dystonia Advocacy Coalition Days, and looks forward to
returning in May 2010. Dawn will
conclude her trip by visiting the troops at
Her
active initiative and advocacy work for the support and well-being of Dystonia
patients receives growing recognition. She
shared her life living with dystonia in a featured cover article in ST/Dystonia
magazine and she was honored to be a spokesperson for an Allergan medical
documentary, for which a donation was made in her name to the Wounded Warrior
Project. Dawn was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the American
Dystonia Society, Inc. (www.dystonia.us), and she
enthusiastically embraces her role as coordinator for Veterans with Dystonia
Outreach.
The
highlight of 2009 was Christmas Day, when Dawn and her family served meals at
the USO to service members unable to make it home for the holidays. It is her
pleasure to serve the military community as a member on the Advisory Council
for the American Red Cross and as Chairperson of Volunteers at the Wounded
Warrior Barracks of Camp Lejeune, NC.
Dawn was recently awarded the distinguished “Service to Armed Forces
Award” for her service at the Wounded Warrior Barracks at a Red Cross volunteer
recognition banquet. It is a distinct
honor to represent North
Carolina at the Mrs. United States Pageant.
While service and advocacy
are rewarding, the continuing love, support and guidance of her family is her
ultimate achievement. Dawn and
her loving husband, Major Ian Brinkley, USMC, are proud parents of superb
scholar athletes, Marcus, 17 and Gavin, 13. There is nothing Dawn enjoys more
than having “STAY IN BED SUSHI SATURDAY” with hubby and sons, when they eat far
too much sushi in their pj’s and watch college football or comedy movies!
It is the ultimate privilege to serve communities across our state as Mrs. North
Carolina United States. Dawn is using her title to promote her advocacy work to gain a wider audience and with it an
added boost to the necessary life-sustaining tools, research for Dystonia, and
a blessed opportunity to show support and help promote community causes
statewide.
Keep your eyes on Dawn because she’ll be STAYING ON THE MOVE WITH A MOVEMENT DISORDER!
NEW NEWS!!!
Dawn's goal in entering the Mrs. NC US pageant was to bring awareness and advocacy to Cervical Dystonia...
After reading a press release about Dawn winning the Mrs. North Carolina crown and living with Cervical Dystonia, a representative from Merz Pharmaceuticals contacted Dawn. She was interested in meeting our Mrs. NC and learning more about her and her condition. They were very impressed with Dawn and her story! Merz selected Dawn as a National Spokesperson for their new "Make Your Mark" campaign (www.makeyourmarkcampaign.com) to promote Xeomin (xeomin.com), a new treatment for Cervical Dystonia!
From the "Make Your Mark Campaign" press release: "I may have Cervical Dystonia, but it doesn't have me" said Dawn Brinkley, 2010 Mrs. North Carolina and an active volunteer who was diagnosed with cervical dystonia in 2004. "People may not know what cervical dystonia is, and they may underestimate the impact of this condition on a person's life. I make my Mark by helping others understand that they don't have to just live with these conditions; there are treatments and resources available."
Dawn traveled in style to New York City at the end of March for the launch of Merz's new campaign and website! She had a
satellite meeting tour with many different news/radio stations throughout the country!
Dawn asked for three things as Mrs. North Carolina- bring attention to a little know disorder, help educate those who never heard of it, and to inspire fellow sufferers! With this campaign she has exceeded all these goals! Our Mrs. North Carolina is making strides for her cause in exceptional ways! Just think, Dawn was contacted by Merz after reading a press release about her winning the title! Now she is a national spokesperson for Merz, advocating new treatments and awareness of Dystonia! "Taking the 'dis' out of her ability!"
Dawn's segment on Fox News Rising: http://www.foxcharlotte.com/rising/whats-on-rising/Mrs-North-Carolina-Dawn-Brinkley-on-FNR-119766374.html
Newscast in Rochester, NY:
Be sure to see more about the campaign and a video featuring Dawn here,
http://makeyourmarkcampaign.com/spokesperson/dawn-brinkley/
http://makeyourmarkcampaign.com/stories/dawn-brinkley-story/